shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com September 1, 2015 • Page 11 It’s Fair Game! BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net Jackie Steffen intended to offer a learning experience to 4-Hers when she judged entries at the Yankton County 4-H Achievement Days. In the process, the Cedar County (Neb.) Extension agent received her own learning experience, viewing the way her northern neighbors operate 4-H. “South Dakota and Nebraska are very different in the way they run their 4-H programs,” she said. “They have different projects in their fair book, and they look for different things when they judge. But we still both emphasize learning by doing.” And in that regard, both South Dakota and Nebraska 4-Hers are finding or anticipating exciting new changes and facilities as they head to their respective state fairs. Nebraska starts today (Friday) in Grand Island, while South Dakota starts Sept. 3 in Huron. Both fairs run through Labor Day. For Stephanie Siebrandt, getting the exhibits to the South Dakota State Fair marks only half the battle. The Yankton County 4-H Youth Development leader will find creative ways to display her 4-Hers’ static (non-livestock) exhibits in an assigned 8-foot by 10-foot booth for exhibit space. ‘We have to display everything (in that space) and figure how we incorporate the theme,” she said. “It’s one of the big things we are working on: How do we do the booth display? We’re getting ready for that.” At Achievement Days, Yankton County 4-Hers received 221 purple ribbons – which qualify for the State Fair – out of 480 static exhibits. In the animal division, 72 of the 141 exhibits earned purple ribbons. Siebrandt and administrative assistant Danielle McFarland will take exhibits to Huron for judging prior to the start of the fair. “We get to take the exhibits up on Wednesday of that week,” Siebrandt said. “Danielle and I will take the exhibits to the right judge and then make sure we get the placings recorded and taken back to the booth.” NEW FACILITIES This year marks the final year for cramped quarters at the South Dakota State Fair. A three-year capital campaign is raising $4.7 million to construct the Nordby Exhibit Hall for 4-H, Youth and Community. The versatile, open-layout building replaces Clover Hall, which has been utilized since the 1950s for 4-H exhibits and competitions. The new 48,000-squarefoot exhibit hall will feature: • more than 30,000 square feet of exhibit space; • multiple classrooms; • a versatile conference room/work room, available for activities during the fair and in the off-season; • a large kitchen for 4-H Special Foods competitions and year-round concessions; • a performance stage; • year-round office space for the State Fair staff. “Nordby Hall will be ready for next year’s State Fair. They had a groundbreaking ceremony in May, but it’s not anything that will be ready for us this year,” Siebrandt said. “When it’s open, it will have all of our static exhibits, the fashion review contest and the special foods contest rather than the high school. It will be a lot easier for the 4-Hers.’ Meanwhile, Nebraska 4-Hers already enjoy a new location and facilities at their state fair. Steffen traveled to Grand Island this week to take entries to the Nebraska State Fair. The fair, formerly located in Lincoln, moved to Grand Island a few years ago. The move to Grand Island took place before Steffen started with Cedar County, so she didn’t experience the Lincoln fairgrounds. However, fellow Extension educators have praised the move, she said. “It’s been a great transition and has gone very well,” Steffen said. The Grand Island location is about the same distance from Hartington as was Lincoln, with many Cedar County 4-Hers and families continuing their State Fair tradition, Steffen said. The Grand Island fairgrounds include modern and easily accessible facilities, Steffen said. In addition, its central Nebraska location attracts visitors from parts of the state who may not have previously attended in Lincoln, Steffen said. “With the exhibits, they give you maps of the facilities, and it’s laid out really nice,” she said. “It’s very eye catching and easy to get around.” HEADED FOR THE STATE FAIR Unlike South Dakota, Nebraska’s purple ribbon winners at the county level don’t automatically qualify for the state fair, Steffen said. The judges designate which entries are considered eligible for state competition. The Cedar County Fair attracted around 2,100 entries this year, Steffen said. Of that number, Cedar County qualified 45 entrants with 135 static exhibits (the figure doesn’t include animal exhibits). In addition, Nebraska 4-Hers can take home their State Fair-qualifying entries and make changes using the county judges’ recommendations before returning the entry for the State Fair. The Nebraska 4-Hers can also submit new entries for items such as baked goods or horticulture. While some counties have reserved their own booths, Cedar County joins the majority whose exhibits are spread across the fairgrounds and grouped into project areas. South Dakota and Nebraska also differ in the schedule and amount of time that most 4-Hers spend at the State Fair. A number of South Dakota 4-Hers, especially those with livestock exhibits, spend the entire week at the fair. The Nebraska 4-Hers and their families tend to compete on one of the two weekends, bringing down and taking home their livestock on that weekend. While Nebraska 4-Hers may spend mostly one weekend at the State Fair, Steffen will spend a great deal of time in Grand Island – and on the road. She serves as superintendent for the State Fair’s companion animal show and holds other duties, which means she will commute between Hartington and Grand Island during the fair. Other staff members will keep the Cedar County Extension office running as usual. With most South Dakota schools starting before Labor Day, the 4-Hers keep up with their school work and activities during State Fair week, Siebrandt said. “(Students) are expected to still do their homework and turn it in on time,” she said. “Most of the schools are very accommodating in working with students who go to State Fair.” While many Nebraska State Fair competitions are held on the weekends, the facilities don’t stand empty during the week, Steffen said. Students from Grand Island and nearby schools attend events such as Ag Literacy Day where they learn about agriculture. Other events include the Largest Classroom Day. “There is an amazing number of schools at the State Fair with their students,” she said. Because of the avian flu, both South Dakota and Ne- Alissa Woockman/P&D Randy Woehl from Menno judges the rabbit show as a part of this year’s Yankton County Achievement Days. Woehl inspects Yankton Get Up and Go 4-H Club members Owen, Garrett and Daniel Dangel’s black Mini Rex rabbit for many of the indicators of a good breed like teeth placement, width of body and plush fur coat. braska banned live poultry entries at county and state fairs. However, both states wanted to give 4-Hers an opportunity to compete and allowed them to show photos and talk about their poultry’s features. “We were a little bummed by the poultry (situation),” Steffen said. “We’ve been working to increase those numbers, and last year we had done some renovations to the small animal building. We had businesses provide grants, and we added new cages for the rabbits and poultry.” The Yankton County 4-Hers still did well in improvising for the poultry division, adding she hopes the live poultry exhibits can return next year. TEACHABLE MOMENTS While their states may conduct state fairs differently, South Dakota and Nebraska remain committed to the same 4-H ideals. Steffen pointed to the wide variety of project areas. “When people think of 4-H, they think of cooking and livestock. They have really changed the focus so there is more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math),” she said. “There is a lot more science. in 4-H with rocketry and areas like that. We have about 150 different projects. It’s not just for farmers.” Siebrandt agreed, noting 4-Hers can tailor projects to their interests, including robotics. “The youth really get into honing their skills in areas they enjoy and like to do. We had a girl who really liked to raise and show dogs, so she did it for Achievement Days,” she said. “We tell the families, if there’s something they like, they’ll find it in 4-H. It’s anything and everything.” Follow@RDockendorf on Twitter. FARM AUCTION Saturday, Sept. 12 -- 12 noon LOCATED: from Scotland, SD 3 miles south, 4 miles east, 1 mile north or from Hwy 25 and 46 junction 2 miles north, 4 miles east, 1 mile north Contact any of our locations for details • Menno 605-387-5513 • Hurley 605-327-3261 • Freeman 605-925-7230 • Tripp 605-935-6106 Dale Stewart, Owner www.petersonauctioneers.com Lee Wittmeier, Tyndall, SD BULK WINTER WHEAT SEED VARIETIES AVAILABLE: Certified Ideal Certified SY Wolf Certified Overland Certified Wesley FARM AUCTION Friday, Sept. 11 -- 10 a.m. LOCATED: 43523 289 St, Menno, SD - from Menno 4 miles east, 3 miles south, 1/4 mile east or from Hwys 81&18 juction 4 miles west, 3 miles south, 1/4 mile east TRACTORS: 1979 Ford TW-20 c-a-h 7600 hrs, SN: 636367; Ford 8700 c-a-h, Westendorf WL-42 loader, grapple AND bale spear; 1970 Ford 5000, SN: 283232; 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee. COMBINE, HEADS: 1979 IHC 1460, 2700 hrs; 820 20’ ?ex head; 854 6RN corn head, poly; 844 corn hd; IHC 915 combine for parts or salvage. MACHINERY: White 271 20’ rock ?ex disc; Hiniker 22’ pull type ?eld cultivator; Ford 13’ pull type chisel; Ford 151 5x16 auto reset plow; 9 sect drag and cart; Alloway 8’ snowblower; Gehl 250 manure spreader; Gehl 1850 big round baler; Owattona 260 sp windrower; Ford 7’ mt mower; Ferguson 3 pt pto side delivery rake; Gehl KS 600 2 row cutter and hay head; Badger tandem axle silage wagon; Roorda silage wagon; Baltzer silage wagon; 2-300 bu gravity wagons; Bale wagons; Miscellaneous wagons; 14’ stalk chopper; MM grain drill; JD 400 16’ and 20’ rotary hoes; 4 row cultivators; Kewanee elevator; Speed Co post auger; 3 pt blade; Quick hitch; Dump rakes; Side delivery rakes; Straight disc; IHC 3 bottom pull type plow; Iron and machinery for salvage; 1952 DeSoto custom 4 dr, restoration or parts. SHOP & MISCELLANEOUS: Winco 15,000 watt pto generator; 4 ton bulk bin; Hay feed; Big round bale feeders; Air compressor; Arc welder; Acetylene torch; Electric power washer; Drill press; Welding table; Impacts; Side grinders; Electric power tools; Socket and wrench sets; Miscellaneous hand tools; Bars; Jacks; Log chains; Shop cabinet; Bolt stock; 12V sprayer; Wire winder; Monitor ZA pump jack; Vises; Post drill; Live traps; Tires; Vet supplies; Shop vac; Plus many more miscellaneous items. ANTIQUES including large anvil; barn lanterns; Ice tongs; Egg baskets; Old saws; Miscellaneous old hand tools; License plates; Maytag wringer washer. ROY ULMER ESTATE www.petersonauctioneers.com Lee Wittmeier, Tyndall, SD Terms: Cash or check accompanied by photo ID. We do not accept debit or credit cards. Not Responsible for Accidents - LUNCH SERVED Terms: Cash or check accompanied by photo ID. We do not accept debit or credit cards. Not Responsible for Accidents. Large Consignment AUCTION Thurs., Sept. 10, 2015 • 10 a.m. Wayne Bultje farm, 38028 SD Hwy 44, Corsica, SD Location: From Corsica, SD: 3 miles south, 8 and one-half miles west; or from Platte, SD: 13 and one-half miles east. Selling: Alfalfa, hay and straw (sells at 10 a.m.); guns (sell at noon); vehicles, machinery; livestock equipment, fencing, and lots of miscellaneous and old iron. -- Please consign early for best advertising -- This is going to be another dandy sale! Already consigned: 500+ round bales and 700+ square bales of alfalfa, hay, straw; tractors--JD 8400, JD 4650, JD 4440; JD 60 w/loader; JD 50; IH 666 gas; 9600 combine w/ rear wheel assist; New Holland skidsteer C238, 250 hours; JLG 943 telehandler; several trucks, grain trailer and many other stock and flatbed trailers; several gravity wagons; combines and heads; feeder wagons; lots of livestock equipment; haying equipment; silage cutters; tillage equipment and much more. 500+ sheets of used steel and 2 flatbed of small items, guns, tools and misc. Lots of new and used tires and wheels. See Sept. 1 Dakota Action Rocket for full bill or go to www.sdauctions.com for full bill and pictures. For information, call Wayne Bultje, 605-207-0265; or Alvie Timmermans, 605-243-2235 (home) or 605-680-1818 (cell) or email Nathan Timmermans at timmers2025@yahoo.com. Timmermans Auction Service c8/18c CUSTOM DRILLING OF WINTER WHEAT WITH STARTER FERTILIZER TRACTORS: 1979 IHC 1486, c-a-h, SN: 21944; IHC 756 gas, cab, wf & Dual 300 loader. COMBINE, HEADS: 1979 IHC 1440, 2000 hrs, SN: 8073; 820 15’ bean hd; IHC 844 4RN corn hd. PICKUP, TRAILER: 1988 Chevy 3500, 2WD 454, auto; PaceSetter 6x16 bumper stock trailer. MACHINERY: JD 7000 8RN planter; NH Super 717 2 row cutter and hay hd; JD 800 sp windrower; Artsway 320 grinder mixer; Dakon gravity wagon w/JD 1065 gear; 2-Dakon gravity wagons; IHC 470 21’ disc; IHC 45 18’ 3 pt ?eld cultivator; Melroe 10’ 3pt chisel; IHC 37 14’ disc; Windrower transport; Dohrman gravity box; 525 gal 40’ ?eld sprayer; Snowco 8’x52’ auger; KR elevator; Hiniker 4 row no till cultivator; JD RG4 cultivator; Pony cart; Roorda manure spreader; S&H wagon; JD 3 pt blade; Lots of iron and machinery for salvage. MISCELLANEOUS: Bale feeder; Porta gates; Gates and panels; Stock tank; Post auger; Overhead fuel tanks; Quick hitch; Tires and rims; Hyd cylinders; Tin; Lumber; Plus more miscellaneous items.