ISU Extension and Outreach - Hancock County, Iowa

05/31/2026

Deadline for entries for the 2026 Hancock County District Fair and Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching!

Enter all of the fair classes for your 4-H or FFA animals and projects! Deadline is at midnight on July 1st. https://fairentry.com

You can pick up copies of the 2026 Fair Books at our office or find them online on our website, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/.../county-district-fair

Not sure how to register or what class(es) to select? Call or email us, we are happy to help you! 641-923-2856 or [email protected]

05/31/2026

West Hancock Community Garden is seeking 7th -12th graders to help care for the community garden.

Please sign up through this link so we can let you know if weather changes the plans: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44AFAF2BA0FECE9-62303385-harvest #/

Thank you to our partners, Healthy Harvest of North Iowa, Britt Free Church, Britt Area Food Bank, West Hancock FFA Chapter, and Britt Public Library for making this program possible for our community!

05/30/2026

All Poultry, rabbit and pet exhibitors! To be eligible to show at the Hancock County District Fair and Iowa State Fair, you must ID your animals by JUNE 15th!

Who: 4th - 12th graders

4-H Exhibitors: Must ID your animals in 4hOnline, www.https//v2.4honline.com

FFA Exhibitors: Animal ID paper forms MUST be turned in to our office, 327 West 8th St, Garner.

Questions: Give us a call at 641-923-2856 or email us at [email protected]

05/29/2026

Kossuth County is extending the invite for this Sunday’s Livestock Judging Workshop!

Just make sure to register! https://4hjudgingworkshop.4honline.com

📍 Holmes Farm
1106 200th Ave, LuVerne, IA

Questions? Contact Jane Koppen at [email protected] or 515-295-2469, or Rachel Lindsey at [email protected] or 712-852-2865

Ready to put your livestock judging skills to work🐑? Whether you are brand new to judging or already have experience in the ring, this workshop is for YOU!
Join us on Sunday, May 31st at 3:00 PM at Holmes Farms for an afternoon full of hands-on practice, class discussions, and learning how to confidently line up classes. Youth will practice using a Steno notebook while judging breeding heifers, breeding sheep, market lambs, and breeding goats.
🔥 Open to ALL counties, just make sure to register! https://4hjudgingworkshop.4honline.com
We’ll wrap up the evening with group discussion and a light dinner. Oral reasons are not currently planned but may be added if there is enough interest.
📍 Holmes Farm
1106 200th Ave, LuVerne, IA
Questions? Contact Jane Koppen at [email protected] or 515-295-2469, or Rachel Lindsey at [email protected] or 712-852-2865

05/29/2026

West Hancock Community Garden is full of hands-on learning for kids of all ages. Plant, water, read, explore, and grow with multiple community partners. Check out the details and sign up: https://forms.gle/2nPeZRDAq3KddtZH6

Thank you to our partners, Healthy Harvest of North Iowa, Britt Free Church, Britt Area Food Bank, Britt Public Library and West Hancock FFA Chapter!

05/29/2026

📸 Photo Mat Workshop📸

Want your photographs to catch the judge’s eye at the fair? Join our Photo Mat Workshop and learn how the right mat can take your exhibit to the next level!

Participants will:
• Learn how to professionally mat photographs
• Explore how mat colors can enhance an image
• Compare matted vs. unmatted photos
• Discover what judges look for in photography exhibits at the fair
• Bring a 5x7 photo to this workshop

When: Monday, July 20
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Who: Grades 4–12 (grade just completed)
Where: Hancock County Extension Office
Cost: $5

RSVP by: Friday, July 10. Limited to 25 participants — register early!

Questions? Call our office, 641-923-2856 or email us, [email protected].
Registration forms can be found on our website, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/han.../summer-explorations.

05/28/2026

We’re getting the Hancock County Fairgrounds ready for another great fair season, and we need your help! Mark your calendars for Fairgrounds Clean-Up Days and join fellow 4-H’ers, FFA members, families, and volunteers as we work together to spruce up the grounds.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 17, 24 starting at 5:30 at the Hancock County District Fairgrounds (2210 Jewel Avenue, Britt).

Many hands make light work, and your time and effort help make the fairgrounds look their best for our community and fairgoers.💚

05/27/2026

Looking for an art project to exhibit at the county fair this summer? Join us for our Summer Workshops!

Youth in grades 4th–12th are invited to get creative with fun, hands-on projects that are fair-ready and full of personality. Workshops are just $15 each and include all the supplies needed to create something amazing!

✨ Workshop Options:

• Kinusaiga - Monday, June 8th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm

• No Sew Fabric Wreaths - Tuesday, June 16 from 10:00 to 11:30 am

• Stitch & Style Fabric Basket - Friday, June 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

• Yarn Coil Baskets - Wednesday, June 17 (Britt, 10:00 to noon or Garner, 2:00 - 4:00 pm)

Whether you love sewing, crafting, or trying something new, there’s a project for everyone. Create, learn, and leave with a project you’ll be proud to showcase at the fair! 🎡🧵🧺

To register, visit our website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/han.../summer-explorations