Post Rock District 4-H Events
We are excited to provide a listing of many current and upcoming events and activities available for Post Rock District 4-H members. There are so many opportunities in 4-H, and we may have missed some below. If you notice an opportunity missing, contact a Post Rock District Office.
Event Resources
2026 4-H Event Listing
For State & District 4-H News and additional information concerning these events, see our 4-H Newsletter
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Get ready to showcase your communication skills at the 4-H Day events. 4-H Day is a great opportunity for Post Rock District 4-H members to develop and showcase their communication skills!
The 2026 Post Rock District 4-H Day Guide will help determine what contests to participate in, and it includes the contest rules and other events details. Review the guide and register at Post Rock District’s 4-H Day webpage.
- 4-H Day #1: Beloit United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 14. Communication contests start at 8:00 a.m. Registration deadline is February 2.
- 4-H Day #2: Smith Center Jr./Sr. High School on Monday, March 2. Communication contests start at 4:30 p.m. Registration deadline is February 16.
- Virtual: It is strongly encouraged to compete at a 4-H Day in-person event. If your schedule does not allow, there are some contests that are available for virtual entry. Review the Virtual Entry Expectations for details. Registration deadline is February 18.
Judging Extravaganza
We’ve expanded the judging contests that are part of 4-H Day into a Judging Extravaganza! Judging Extravaganza is a come-and-go experience. There is no pre-registration required for these contests. Youth will participate individually.
Study guides for each judging contest are posted on the Post Rock District’s Judging Extravaganza website. Contests are related to the areas listed below.
- Animal Science
- Financial Management
- Foods and Nutrition
- Horticulture
- Photography
Volunteers Needed
Adults and youth volunteers are needed for both 4-H Day events and Judging Extravaganza activities! When you register for 4-H Day there will be an opportunity to sign-up to volunteer as a greeter, door monitor, judging contest assistant, or with event clean-up. Please plan to have volunteers serve from your 4-H club! If your club wants assigned a task, let us know by calling the Mankato Extension Office at 785-378-3174 or emailing tiunderw@ksu.edu.
Citizenship in Action is February 15 - 16 in Topeka! Post Rock District will provide a chaperone and transportation to the experience. The purpose of the two-day Kansas 4-H personal development event is for teens (13-18 years old by January 1) to learn how the state legislative process works and how their voice and participation in decision-making can make a difference in their local communities. The legislative visit will not only familiarize youth with the capitol building, but will also show them how they can affect the legislative process. Register now or by the January 26 deadline at the event website.
Kansas 4-H and K-State Admissions are partnering to help youth and their families confidently navigate the college journey. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will gain a clear understanding of the college preparation process, explore strategies for financing education - including scholarships, loans, and other resources - and learn how students are supported both academically and personally, from both the student's and parent's perspective. Sessions will also focus on "beginning with the end in mind," equipping youth with tools to prepare for life after college, create personalized plans, and take ownership of their future. In addition, open office hours will provide families with direct access to experts for questions and guidance, ensuring every student feels prepared and empowered for success. These sessions will be targeted at 4-H parents of juniors and seniors in high school; 4-H members are also encouraged to attend. Sessions will not be recorded to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Registration information will be emailed directly to families via 4-H Online. For questions, please email the State 4-H Office at kansas4h@ksu.edu.
Upcoming Sessions (all 6:00-7:00 p.m. via Zoom):
- January 13: Student Support at K-State - Academic and Personal Resources
- February 10: Begin with the End in Mind - Preparing for Life After College
- March 10: Create Your Own Plan - Personalized College and Career Planning
- April 14: Open Office Hours - Expert Guidance and Q&A
The K-State Junior Producer Days focus on beef and sheep in even years and swine and meat goat in odd years. These are one-day, educational events for families to learn about the selection and management of youth livestock projects. Both events will be hosted at the new Bilbrey Family Event Center. This is a family event!
- Junior Beef Producer Day – Saturday, March 7, 2026
- Junior Sheep Producer Day – Saturday, April 11, 2026
Registration is now open on the Junior Producer Days page of KSU Youth Livestock Program website, which is under the events tab. Cost information and a schedule are also available online. All attendees must register, which includes both youth and adults.
Registration for the junior day events has transitioned to a new platform. Families will be prompted to set up a profile under a parent/guardian and then add at least one child. Once the account is created and you login to register for each day, you will have the opportunity to add children and other adults. The platform is not linear, so if you follow the prompts to the end and have multiple kids or adults to register, you will have to click on the “child” or “additional adult” tab on the left to view the options to add those individuals. Once you checkout, you will be able to view the number of kids and adults registered. A photo release and liability waiver will also be requested for each person through the platform. Families will receive a confirmation email to the address used to set up the profile after the registration is submitted. Families who plan to attend both junior days will need to register through each unique link, separately. A confirmation email for each event will be issued once payment is processed.
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Post Rock District will not sell Kansas 4-H EID tags over-the-counter at our Extension Offices. The state requires our staff to approve all State Nominations for livestock, and part of that approval process is confirming that we have physically seen each Kansas 4-H EID tag in your livestock animal’s ear at tagging time (photos and over-the-counter sales do not qualify). Plan to attend your county’s tagging and verification event (i.e. weigh-in) for beef, swine, sheep and goats. Call the Extension Office ASAP if you know you’ll have a conflict and need an animal verified with an EID tag for State shows.
Beef Weigh-in
Jewell County: February 15, 3:00 p.m. at Mankato Sale Barn
Lincoln County: February 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Sylvan Sale Barn
Mitchell County: February 25, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Solomon Valley Veterinary Hospital
Osborne County: February 22, 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Osborne Producers Sale Barn
Smith County: February 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Smith Center Veterinary Clinic
Small Animal Weigh-in
Jewell County: April 12, 2:00 p.m. at Jewell County Fairgrounds
Lincoln County: April 25, 10:00 a.m. at Lincoln County Fairgrounds
Mitchell County: April 15, time TBD at Mitchell County Fairgrounds
Osborne County: April 26, TBD p.m. at TBD
Smith County: April 26, TBD p.m. at TBD
The K-State Invitational Youth Meat Judging Contest is set for Saturday, March 1, in Manhattan at the K-State University Meat Lab. Youth of all ages are welcome. Contest begins at 8:00 a.m. There will be at least 6 Classes, 40 retail IDs, and Questions. Awards will be given to the top 10 and the highest team. If you have questions, please contact Erin Beyer at erbeyer@ksu.edu. Register at online at the event website. The deadline to register was February 27.
The 4‑H Youth in Action (YIA) program celebrates young people who are creating real change in their communities. This national program amplifies the stories and leadership of 4-H youth, showcasing how 4-H has shaped their lives and equipped them to impact others. Award Winners will receive a(n):
$5,000 scholarship for higher education, paid directly to the institution, including two-year and four-year colleges, trade schools, or other advanced learning opportunities; Year of professional and media development, training, networking, and national opportunities to serve as a spokesperson and thought leader; All expenses paid trips for each award winner and a chaperone to attend national events; Official reference letter from a National 4-H Council leader for educational or career purposes. Applications are due April 13. To learn more about the program and application process, National 4-H Council is hosting a webinar for applicants and their parents on March 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET. To sign up for one of these webinars and review application details visit the program website.
Indoor BB Gun and Air Rifle practices will be held at the Jewell County Fairgrounds in Mankato. Jeff Cady, certified Kansas 4-H instructor, will facilitate the practices on Sunday afternoons February 1, and 22. He will run 2 groups this winter. BB Gun practice will start at 3:00 p.m. Air Rifle practice will start at 4:00 p.m. It is important to attend the first meeting! Please sign-up to attend by contacting Tonia at tiunderw@ksu.edu or 785-378-3174.
The Smith County 4-H Council encourages all county members to participate in the 2026 Valentine Cookie Fundraiser! Money raised supports project workshops and classes offered in the county.
- Completed sale forms are DUE by 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026, to the Smith Center Extension Office.
- Each cookie is $5.00. The cookie is 5"x5" and decorated with a Valentine's message. A card with a personalized message will also be delivered to each special recipient.
- Each 4-H member is encouraged to sell at least 1 cookie.
- Complete one sale form per cookie.
Valentine Cookie Sales Form
YQCA is a national, multi-species youth livestock quality assurance program that covers food safety, animal well-being, and character development. It is a great learning experience for youth involved in any livestock project! The class is required to be completed annually by all KSF Grand Drive and KJLS participants. YQCA training can be completed online or in person. Register for the in-person YQCA classes we have scheduled. Youth register and pay for the course through the national YQCA website. Participants also need to take the online pre-test at the YQCA website before attending. We need 10 participants at each site to host the course!
- BELOIT METHODIST CHURCH - Saturday, February 14 at Noon after 4-H Day - Register on the YQCA website searching class name “2026 Beloit 4-H Day Training."
- LINCOLN SENIOR CENTER - Friday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. Register on the YQCA website searching class name “2026 Lincoln County Training."
Reference the “Help Guide for Registering for YQCA” on our Post Rock District 4-H YQCA website.