Under the 4-H mission of positive youth development, we balance personal responsibility with educational opportunity. We acknowledge that some missed deadlines are mistakes, however, we also need the individual/family to recognize the severe importance of completing tasks by – or prior to – the posted deadline.
NO EXCEPTIONS Late Policy: Starting in 2026, South Dakota 4-H will be implementing a No Exceptions Late Policy for the following state-level deadlines and events:
- State Shoot registration deadline (11:59 PM CST April 16)
- Clover Classic Quiz Bowl team registration (late May)
- Animal Identification in 4HOnline AND DNA nomination (11:59 PM CST June 1)
- Youth Horse Literacy Event completed (June 1)
- Youth Livestock Literacy Event OR YQCA completed (July 1)
- State Horse Show exhibition classes registration and State Horse Quiz Bowl team registration (11:59 PM CST July 1)
- State Fair registration for livestock and display exhibits (11:59 PM CST August 1)
- Eastern Dog Championship show and Western Dog Championship show (tentatively late July/early August)
In the event you have missed one of the deadlines listed above, you will NOT be able to participate in that state level event. There will be no exceptions or opportunities to appeal. Any communication with 4-H professionals to plea, persuade, bribe, etc. will be grounds for membership suspension.
Youth In Action Events (YIA): Starting in 2026, South Dakota 4-H MAY allow late entries within 7 calendar days of the respective deadline into the following state level Youth in Action events:
- Clover Classic registration (late May) – excluding Quiz Bowl team registration
- State Horse Youth In Action Events: Hippology, Horse Judging, Horse Public Speaking and Demonstration contests (11:59 PM CST July 1) – excluding Quiz Bowl team registration
- State Fair YIA events: Dairy Skill-A-Thon, Poultry Skill-A-Thon, Rabbit Skill-A-Thon, Consumer Decision Making, Family and Consumer Sciences Skill-A-Thon, Fashion Review, Horticulture Skill-A-Thon, STEM Challenge, Special Foods, and YIA Communications Project. (11:59 PM CST August 1)
