Union County Fair

05/30/2026

Wow! Do you believe it? It is only 60 days until the Union Couty Fair!!

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05/26/2026

South Dakota 4-H Scholarship Award

SDSU Extension 4-H Office is pleased to announce that Carley Crist was selected as the recipient of the Sokota Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. This year, the State 4-H Office received over 50 scholarship applications. Carley’s selection as an awardee for the 2026-2027 academic year demonstrates significant achievement educationally and personally in the areas of citizenship, community service, and leadership. The South Dakota 4-H Youth Development Program is pleased to honor Carley as a role model for other 4-H members in our state.

Rachel Chamblin
Program Assistant I
SDSU Extension

05/25/2026

Premier Bank of Alcester Reaffirms Decades-Long Commitment to Union County Fair with $1,000 Donation for Beef Barn Electrical Upgrades

ALCESTER, SD — Premier Bank of Alcester, a cornerstone supporter of local agriculture for decades, has announced a $1,000 donation to the Union County Fair. The funds are explicitly designated for critical fairground infrastructure projects—specifically including the replacement of the electrical system in the Beef Barn—as well as ongoing support for fair operations and local 4-H programs.

Alongside this foundational infrastructure donation, the bank is renewing its long-standing, dedicated sponsorship of the annual Fair Tractor Pull and the Union County 4-H Leaders Group.

"Our bank has stood alongside the Union County Fair for a very long time, and we view this ongoing support as an investment in our community's heart and soul," said a representative from Premier Bank. "From improving safety and reliability with the new Beef Barn electrical system to funding the invaluable youth development programs led by 4-H, we are honored to help keep these vital traditions thriving for generations to come."

The contribution ensures the fairgrounds can complete essential property upgrades to keep facilities safe and modern for exhibitors and livestock. The bank’s parallel backing of the Tractor Pull guarantees the return of a fan-favorite grandstand event, while its support of the 4-H Leaders Group directly funds resources for volunteers mentoring local youth.

Exhibitors and community members will benefit directly from these safety and utility upgrades at the upcoming summer showcase. For more details, visit the Premier Bank Alcester branch at 190 Iowa St.

About Premier Bank Premier Bank is a deeply rooted financial institution dedicated to serving the families, businesses, and agricultural operations of Alcester and the surrounding communities through consistent local investment.

05/20/2026

Canton 4-H Club to Honor Veterans with Memorial Day Flag Placement
HUDSON, S.D. — Members of The SoDak Showmen 4-H Club will honor fallen military service members by placing American flags on veteran graves for Memorial Day.
The community service event takes place Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in rural Hudson.
Club members will visit two local locations:
Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Lands Lutheran Cemetery
Fifteen or more youth volunteers from the club will participate in the effort. The group welcomes community volunteers, families, and neighbors to join them at the cemeteries to help place the flags.
About The SoDak Showmen 4-H Club
The SoDak Showmen 4-H Club is a local youth organization dedicated to developing leadership, citizenship, and life skills through community service and hands-on learning.
Club Leader:
Stephanie Fossum

05/19/2026

Our 4-H Youth are Awesome!

ALCESTER, S.D. — Members of the Eager Beaver Club 4-H Club brought the joys of the farm directly to the community on Saturday, visiting the Alcester Care and Rehab Center to share a special petting zoo experience with residents. The heartwarming intergenerational visit featured an array of young animals, including bunnies, chickens, lambs, and a baby calf.

The special animal visit was organized as part of the club’s May meeting, providing 4-H youth an excellent hands-on opportunity to share their animal husbandry projects while fostering meaningful community connections. For the residents at the center, the surprise encounter offered a comforting touch of nostalgia, sparking smiles and animated conversations about their own past experiences with animals and rural living.

"Our 4-H members learn so much from raising these animals, but being able to bring them out to share that joy with others is what 4-H is truly all about," said Club Leader , Dawn Butzer. "The residents’ reactions were absolutely priceless. Seeing the generations bond over a baby calf or holding a soft bunny is a rewarding experience our members won't soon forget."

Animal-assisted interactions are widely celebrated for their ability to promote emotional well-being, reduce stress, and improve the mood of older adults. The Eager Beaver 4-H Club expressed their sincere gratitude to the staff at the Alcester facility for making the afternoon possible and looks forward to continuing their tradition of community service.

About Eager Beaver Club 4-H Club:
The Eager Beaver Club 4-H Club is a Union County club dedicated to teaching leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Through hands-on projects and community service, 4-H empowers young people to reach their full potential and give back to their local neighborhoods.

05/18/2026

ALCESTER, South Dakota — May 14, 2026 — The Andersons, Inc. is proud to announce a $1,000 donation to the Union County Fair Board. The contribution supports local 4-H youth programs. It also funds essential facility upgrades for the upcoming 2026 fair season in Alcester, SD.

The company values community service and agriculture. The Andersons, Inc. recognizes the Union County Fair as a cornerstone for showcasing the hard work of local youth and farming families.

"We believe in investing in the future of agriculture, and the Union County Fair is the perfect place to do that," said Julie Payeff, Senior Manager, Community Commitment, The Andersons, Inc.. "We are proud to support the volunteers and exhibitors who make the fair a success every year and hope this donation helps enhance the experience for everyone involved."

The funds directly support critical infrastructure improvements at the fairgrounds. Planned upgrades include the electrical remodeling of the beef barn and structural and cosmetic enhancements to the beef barn. Funds also cover installing a safety fence around the grandstand area and fresh paint for campus facilities.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from The Andersons, Inc.," said Shawn Tabke, Fair Manager. "It is local support like this that allows us to keep improving our fairgrounds and continue offering great opportunities for our 4-H and FFA exhibitors."

About The Andersons, Inc.: The Andersons, Inc. operates in commodity merchandising, renewables, and nutrient sectors. The company supports its communities and provides extraordinary service.

About Union County Fair: The Union County Fair is held annually in Alcester, SD. It showcases 4-H members hard work, offers entertainment, and provides agricultural education.

05/14/2026

Union County W**d Sprayer

The Union County W**d & Pest Board is looking for Sprayer(s) for the 2026 season. This is a good seasonal position with flexible hours. Wages are $19.60/hr.

Applicants should be at least 18 years old and able to obtain their Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification through the Union Co Extension office.

Union County W**d & Pest, 209 E Main, #120 in Elk Point. For application and details, contact Shawn at 605-356-2321 or email [email protected].

You can alkso get an application at

Official website of Union County, South Dakota. Find Commission Minutes, County Ordinances, and contact information.

05/14/2026

Wyffels Hybrids Supports Next Generation of Agriculture with Donation to Union County 4-Hers
[Elk Point SD – May 13th, 2026] – Wyffels Hybrids, a leader in independent seed corn, is proud to announce the donation of 85, 2-gallon buckets to the Union County Fair 4-H program to assist youth exhibitors in preparation for the upcoming 2026 fair season.
The donation is part of Wyffels' ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and investing in the next generation of agriculture leaders. The branded, durable buckets are intended to be used by 4-H members for carrying feed, water, and show supplies, as well as general cleanup chores on the fairgrounds.
"At Wyffels, we recognize the importance of 4-H in building leadership and hands-on skills in young people," said Andrew Erickson, District Sales Manager at Wyffels Hybrids. "We are thrilled to support the Union County 4-Hers and help them prepare for a successful fair season. It’s all about supporting our neighbors and the future of our industry."
The 85 buckets will be distributed among local 4-H members in preparation for the Union County Achievement Days and Fair.
"We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation from Wyffels Hybrids," said Shawn Tabke, Union County Fair & 4-H Office. "These buckets are useful tools for our members, and having the support of local agricultural companies like Wyffels makes a huge difference for our exhibitors."
About Wyffels Hybrids
Wyffels Hybrids, headquartered in Geneseo, Illinois, is one of the nation’s largest independent seed corn companies. Rooted in family values and agronomic excellence, Wyffels is dedicated to providing high-yielding seed products and exceptional service to corn growers across the Midwest.
Pictured above is Andrew Erickson (L) and Shawn Tabke (R).

05/13/2026

Valley Ag Supply Boosts Union County Fair with $1,000 Donation for Infrastructure Upgrades

[ELK POINT, SD] — The Union County Fair Board is proud to announce a generous $1,000 donation from Valley Ag Supply to support essential facility improvements ahead of the upcoming 2026 fair season. This contribution will directly fund two high-priority projects: a new safety fence around the grandstand area and critical electrical rewiring in the beef barn.

The Union County Fair, scheduled for July 30 – August 1, serves as a cornerstone for local 4-H and FFA members to showcase their hard work. These upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize the grounds in Alcester while ensuring a safe and reliable environment for both exhibitors and spectators.
• Grandstand Safety: The installation of a new 6-foot fence around the grandstand area will enhance security and crowd control for high-traffic events like this year’s Tractor Pull and concert (to be announced).
• Beef Barn Improvements: New electrical wiring in the beef barn will provide the reliable power necessary for youth exhibitors to safely operate equipment for their livestock.

"Supporting the Union County Fair is an investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Seeing our local youth showcase their hard work, dedication, and expertise is truly inspiring. We are proud to help foster these valuable life skills and keep our community's agricultural heritage thriving." stated Alan Richelieu, Spink Valley Ag Supply Manager. “We operate local offices in Gayville and Spink and will continue our commitment to supporting the regional agricultural community through this gift.”

For more information about the upcoming fair or to learn about further sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Union County Fair Board at 605-356-2321 or visit their official website.

Pictured below is Alan Richelieu, right, Location Manager for Valley Ag Supply and Shawn Tabke, Fair Manager (left).

05/12/2026

State Fair Judge Leads Youth Livestock Training in Alcester
ALCESTER, S.D. — On Saturday, May 9, 21 local 4-H members advanced their agricultural expertise at a Youth Livestock Literacy (YLL) training held at the Alcester Exhibit Building. The 10 a.m. session featured expert instruction from Reynold Loecker, a long-time South Dakota State Fair judge and renowned poultry expert.
Loecker, who has over 50 years of experience showing and judging at the state level, provided the youth with unique insights into what judges look for in the showring. The training covered essential topics such as animal husbandry, safety, and quality assurance—critical components for any young producer.
Completion of this certified YLL event is a mandatory requirement for South Dakota 4-H members planning to exhibit livestock at county and state fairs. By attending Loecker's session, these 21 participants have successfully met their educational obligation ahead of the annual July 1 deadline.
"Having an instructor with Reynold’s extensive judging background gives our youth a competitive edge and a deeper understanding of animal standards," noted SDSU Extension Agent, Laurie Fritsch.
For more information on the Union County 4-H program or upcoming events, please contact the Extension Office at (605) 356-2321.