Unified show ring
McLean County youth showing livestock this summer will navigate a new, unified 4H and FFA system designed to cut down on overlapping shows and long days at the fair.
During the Jan. 8 meeting of the McLean County Fair Board at Underwood City Hall, board member Amanda Huettl, Max School FFA advisor and agriculture education instructor, and 4-H representative Sarah Bedgar led a discussion outlining what the change will mean for local exhibitors.
The statewide merger brings 4-H and FFA livestock shows under a single, unified system intended to streamline scheduling and reduce strain on families, volunteers and fair staff. Under the new format, both youth programs will share barns, show rings and check-in procedures.
Fair materials will now list events under joint 4H & FFA” headings, reflecting the integrated structure guiding livestock classes, stalling and daily operations.
According to a joint NDSU Extension and 4-H press release issued in December 2025, the merger is the result of more than a year of review by a committee of 4-H and FFA staff and volunteers. The group analyzed data, gathered input from families and evaluated long-standing challenges in the show schedule. Families repeatedly cited overlapping events, rushed timelines and the sheer number of shows as major stressors.