All youth planning to show Goats at the Dane County Fair must meet these species specific educational requirements:
- Attend at least one approved education event (listed below)
- Education Requirement Card – Complete this card after attending a species-specific education meeting/event to confirm attendance. The completed card should be uploaded by June 1 with entries in FairEntry that opens in April.
- To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
- Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate between 9/1/2025-6/1/2026. Youth can complete this certification online anytime. There is a $12 fee for the online training. YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being, and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 21. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current, and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is appropriate for youth.
- Submit your education card and YQCA certificate number by June 1 via FairEntry - OPENS in APRIL. Failure to submit this card will make you ineligible to show your animal at the Dane County Fair.
Contact the Fair Office at entries.danecountyfair@gmail.com if you have any questions.
2026 Approved Education Offerings - TO BE ANNOUNCED AS APPROVED
- 1/12/2026 – Animal Health, Illness, and Common Treatments for Livestock from 6:00pm-7:00pm at St. Martin School (5959 St. Martin Circle, Cross Plains). No Cost. Open to All youth. The Ashton Go Getters 4-H Club is hosting an education opportunity focused on animal health, illnesses, symptoms of stress, and common treatments. Learn how to keep your animal healthy and happy, especially if they are going to travel to a fair this summer. Dr. Shane from Waunakee Veterinary Service will present the information. Animals covered will be beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits. This meeting is designed for youth in Grades 3+ and all youth should have an adult present. NOTE: This session ONLY counts towards ONE species. Youth MUST have different education per species. RSVP with Mary – 608-212-4173 or m.hellenbrand@outlook.com
- 4/19/2026 - 4-H Goat Education Meeting from 9:00am - 10:30am at 4-H Office, 5201 Fen Oak, Madison. Learn all about goats through a fun, jeopardy style game! This is an in-person education meeting for youth interested in Goats (Dairy and Meat). Youth will learn more about questions they may be asked by a judge and will cover topics like showmanship, nutrition, anatomy and more. This educational event is open to all youth and is free. Register Here!
- Online Education - Approved options for Dairy Goat education.
Complete the form below or contact the Fair Office at entries.danecountyfair@gmail.com to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed. Forms can be submitted with 30 days of the education session and by June 1.
NEW EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY REQUEST FORM
Market goats will be tagged on May 2, 2026 at the Stoughton Fairgrounds from 9 - 11 a.m.
Exhibitors may tag up to 3 goats and must bring goat(s) to tagging. Market goats must have attached scrapie tags by May 1, 2026.
Dane County Fair Meat Animal Sale (MAS) Information
The Dane County Meat Animal Sale is managed by the Dane County Meat Animal Sale Association. This association is an organization of interested persons whose purpose is the organization and operation of the Dane County Meat (Large) Animal Sale. This is an independent association and is not connected to the Dane County Fair Board, Dane County 4-H Leaders Association, UW-Extension Office, or any other group. For questions, contact DaneCountyMeatAnimalSale@gmail.com or 2026 Sale Chair, Blayne Outhouse at (608) 669-0105.
The Meat Animal Sale will be held at the Dane County Fair on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM in Pavilion 2.
2026 MAS Scholarship Application (DUE by June 15) - COMING SOON