Spotlight for New Members
Lincoln County 4-H February - March '23
4-H Demonstrations
One of the most important skills that 4-H members can learn is speaking in front of a group and building their communication skills. One way to do this is by completing a 4-H demonstration at your 4-H Club Meeting. Do you like flowers or gardening? You may want to give a demonstration on how to plant a flower pot or how you planted your garden!
Demonstrations and illustrated presentations are a lot like show and tell. Members are encouraged to demonstrate and present at club meetings and/or county events to share their learning. Two 4-H members may work together as team presenters. Additional information on this topic is available from the Projects & Resources Website.
Types of Demonstrations
There are many different types of demonstrations:
Illustrated Presentations: An oral presentation that presents an idea, concept,
viewpoint or experience in an educational or informative format. Most often consists of interaction with supporting visuals (i.e. PowerPoint, models, and posters).
Traditional Demonstrations: An oral presentation that includes demonstrating the hands-on steps required to accomplish a task or process. Should be a finished product upon conclusion.
Youth-In-Action Demonstrations: An Interactive, continuous presentations. More time is allowed for audience involvement and interaction.
Livestock Demonstrations: An oral presentation that that includes demonstrating a
concept related to the livestock industry. This type of demonstrations includes the use of an animal.
Demonstration Help
Demonstration and Illustrated Presentation Tips:
1. Introduction: Interesting, short, complete, and attention-getting! It should include who you are, what your presentation is about, and why you feel it is important.
2. Topic: Should be related to a project, interest or activity.
3. Appearance: Please dress appropriate; well groomed; with good posture; feet together; and smile!
4. Presentation: Use a natural voice; words distinct; poised; friendly; confident; convincing; well organized; originality shown.
5. Subject Matter: Emphasize important points. Information accurate, complete, usable.
6. Workmanship: Skillful; good teamwork, if a team; time and materials well used; work and speech coordinated; table neat and orderly with visuals easily viewable by audience.
7. Equipment: Suitable for demonstration or illustrated presentation. Good visual aids, if needed.
8. Conclusion: Stress important points in summary. Show finished product if there is one. Definite closing (be creative, tie it in with the introduction); questions are answered.
4-H Activities
4-H offers a wide variety of events and activities for you to become involved in beyond your club. You should always be reading the most recent version of the Clover Update to look for current events and activities as 4-H is always developing new opportunities for its 4-H members. Also, watch for 4-H Friday’s with
You can also check out the county calendar of events on our 4-H website; this would also be a great website to bookmark for future reference.
Other Popular MN 4-H events
Minnesota State Fair
BLU (Leadership Building Conference)
State Horse Show
State Shooting Sports Contest
State Dog Show
4-H Opportunities
Day Camps – These camps are one day programs for youth K-3rd grades. It is a typically a themed event that involves learning activities, crafts, healthy snacks and recreation. The camps are typically held in the summer months.
Project Bowls - Much like a quiz bowl. A team of four youth are asked questions pertaining to their project area. They react quickly by “buzzing in” for the advantage of answering the question. The team with the most points wins. Project Bowls occur in: rabbit, dairy, dairy goat, livestock, dog, poultry, wildlife and horse.
Judging Teams - A judging team experience provides members with the opportunity to use decision making skills by comparison. Livestock teams analyze the animal’s conformation and potential productivity. Points are also given for oral reasons for the decisions. Possible judging teams include Horse, General Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Rabbit and Consumer Decision Making.
4-H Volunteers
Helpful Websites
Minnesota 4-H
http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/
4-H Online (Enrollment in 4-H)
Lincoln County Extension
https://local.extension.umn.edu/local/lincoln
Lincoln County 4-H Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/lincolncountymn4H/
4-H Projects & Resources
https://extension.umn.edu/ways-participate#projects