News

The Class of 2027 held a wonderful Trunk or Treat Carnival at the VHS parking lot, Saturday, October 25, 2025. It was a perfect day for fun activities, costumes, and winning fun prizes! There was a small petting zoo, football, fishing, Mega Jenga, ring toss, roping, and more.

I am writing on behalf of the Sandhills Area Homeschoolers group to share a bit about the homeschool community we have here in Valentine, and the ways our students have recently engaged with local organizations.

Beef Showmanship Results Seniors Champion – Maysa Jones. Reserve Champion – Haxton Hoffman.

The 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale is a major highlight during the Cherry County Fair. Youth spend many hours working, feeding, showing, and fitting their animals in anticipation of the sale ring results. The Livestock Sale provides an opportunity for youth to earn money for future projects or contribute to a college fund. For older youth, it is an opportunity to start pursuing a career in the livestock industry.

4-H Textile Awards Champion Junior Shopping in Style Stylist – Adley Swanson. Reserve Junior Shopping in Style Stylist – Laramie Foster.

Stocker Feeder Show Results Heifers: Champion – Grace Luthy; Reserve Champion – Kaylee Luthy; Purple – Kyra Garwood Steers: Champion – Greyson Hollopeter; Reserve Champion – Adalin Wickman; Purples – August Wickman, Greyson Hollopeter; Blues – Kayleigh Harms, Sophia Harms, Hunter Harms Supreme Stocker Feeder – Greyson Hollopeter ReserveSupremeStockerFeeder – Adalin Wickman.

2025 Cherry County Fair 4-H Sandhills Production Beef Project results are as follows: Juniors Champion – Ava Rahn. Reserve Campion – Sophia Harms.

Sheep and Goat Show Results Judges: Steve Snell & Casey Snell from Red Cloud, NE Sheep Showmanship Juniors: Champion – Makamry Jones; Reserve Champion – Neil Brawner; Purple – Case Larson Seniors: Champion – Maysa Jones; Reserve Champion – Mahaya Jones; Purple – Christen Larson; Blue – Wesley Willert, Matthew Prewitt, Makynna Tucker Market Lambs Champion – Mahaya Jones; Reserve Champion – Mahaya Jones; Purples – Makynna Tucker, Wesley Willert, Maysa Jones, Christen Larson (2), Matthew Prewitt, Makamry Jones, Case Larson (2), Neil Brawner (2); Blues – Wesley Willert, Matthew Prewitt Breeding Ewes Champion – Maysa Jones; Reserve Champion – Christen Larson; Purple – Mahaya Jones, Matthew Prewitt, Makynna Tucker (2), Case Larson Breeding Sheep Pen of 3 Champion – Matthew Prewitt Meat Goat Showmanship Juniors: Champion – Boone Wickman;ReserveChampion–Heston Wickman; Blues – Case Larson, Ethan Thompson Intermediates: Champion – August Wickman; Reserve Champion – Adalin Wickman; Purple – Ivy Jackson Seniors: Champion – Lillica Jackson; Reserve Champion – Christen Larson; Purple – Emma Thompson OpenClassMeatGoatShowmanship: Purple – Elizabeth Thompson Dairy Goat Showmanship Intermediates: Champi on-Leadie Robinson; Reserve Champion-Katelyn Blackford Seniors: Champion – Rylie Sexson; Reserve Champion – Ella Brennemann; Blue – Addie Sexson Market Goats Champion – Christen Larson; Reserve Champion – Case Larson; Purples – Christen Larson, August Wickman, Ivy Jackson, Lillica Jackson, EmmaThompson;Blues–Case Larson, Ethan Thompson; Clover Kid Meat Goat – Elias Thompson Breeding Meat Goats Champion – Heston Wickman; Reserve Champion – Adalin Wickman; Purple – Boone Wickman Dairy Goats Champion – Addie Sexson; Reserve Champion – Addie Sexson; Purples – Leadie Robinson, Rylie Sexson; Blues – Katelyn Blackford x 2, Ella Brennemann; Clover Kid Dairy Goat – Becker Robinson.

4-H Textile Awards from the 2025 Cherry County Fair are as follows: Champion Junior Shopping in Style Stylist – Adley Swanson. Reserve Junior Shopping in Style Stylist – Laramie Foster.

October 2025 survey results at-a-glance • The region’s overall reading fell to its lowest level since May 2020. • For the 17th time in the past 18 months, farmland prices sank below growth neutral.