Spotlight for New Members
Lincoln County 4-H April - May '23
County Fair is Approaching!
What Types of Exhibits Can I Bring to the Fair?
An exhibit is an example of the learning the 4-H member completed in their 4-H project area throughout the year. The type of exhibit you can bring to the County Fair is endless! That is one of the highlights of 4-H - you can cater your 4-H projects and exhibits to something that really interests you, something you want to learn more about, or something you’ve never even heard of!
Minnesota 4-H has a great publication called “Suggested 4-H Exhibits for County Fair”, and offers exhibit ideas for all the different project areas 4-H offers! In addition to the suggestions in this publication, each project area leaves the possibilities wide open for you to create exhibits that fit your learning and ideas. The suggestions in this document are simply ideas to get your brain thinking!
While there are still several general rules and guidelines that apply to all projects, including maximum size specifications for posters, displays and floor-sized exhibits, you are now able to exhibit almost anything that reflects your learning in a particular project area for the year.
The Minnesota 4-H website offers a wealth of knowledge about 4-H Projects and Resources. You can find that website here: https://extension.umn.edu/ways-participate/projects-and-more
4-H Livestock Projects
4-H Livestock Projects are a lot of work, but even more fun! They are a great tool for teaching youth responsibility, decision-making, record keeping, and so much more. Perhaps you already own animals and are wondering how to exhibit them in 4-H. Maybe you don’t have animals and aren’t sure if you want to commit to caring for an animal year-round. We’re including all kinds of 4-H Animal Science information in the attached document ‘All About Livestock,’
We have an important Livestock deadline coming up on May 15. All animals being shown by 4-H members in grades 3+ MUST be ID’ed in 4HOnline or the Extension Office by May 15. A letter outlining identification requirements and how to complete identification was mailed to all project members. They are also posted on our website. If you plan to exhibit livestock at the County Fair and have questions about this deadline, please contact our office.
County Fair Registration Details
It’s almost time to let us know what you’ll be bringing to the fair. Soon, we’ll be posting our premium book online or you can request a paper copy from staff. We ask that you register for fair online through our FairEntry website, which is tied to your 4HOnline account. It will open mid-May. This is different than the Animal ID deadline.
You will note that the County Fair Registration carries a deadline of June 25. County Fair entry is a huge project at the Extension Office, so we ask that you respect that and follow the deadlines. If you have questions, please be sure to ask your Club Leader or 4-H Staff. Any of these people will be happy to help!
Pre-Fair Events
Competitive events that are judged prior to the County Fair, and are eligible for awards, premiums, and State Fair trips. Some events require the project to be displayed at the County Fair in order to receive premium dollars.
Clothing & Presentation Day
(typically held a couple of weeks before fair)
Food Review is designed to help provide members with experience planning, preparing, and serving food as part of a meal or snack. Members will select a favorite recipe they would like to make. They will then plan a menu around that dish, and decide on a theme. For judging day, youth bring one dish, and a table setting for one person. Youth will also bring the menu and main dish recipe on an 8.5 x 11 or 8 x 10 posters that will be free-standing or fit in picture frames. During judging, youth will be asked to talk about food knowledge, management of time and meal preparation, nutrition knowledge, and more! Youth are encouraged to be creative with the theme and have fun! For more details and information about the Food Review project you can check out the guide at z.umn.edu/foodreview.
Demonstrations are a lot like show and tell. Demonstrations can be done individually or two 4-H members may work together as team presenters.
Presentation types:
Illustrated Presentation: 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).
Demonstration: 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: Interactive, continuous presentations. Youth are actively teaching the audience through hands-on instruction. More time is allowed for audience involvement and interaction.
Demonstration and illustrated presentation tips:
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.
Topic: Related to a project, interest or activity.
Appearance: Dress appropriate; well-groomed; good posture; feet together; and smile!
Presentation: Voice natural; words distinct; poised; friendly; confident; convincing; well organized; originality shown.
Subject Matter: Emphasize important points. Information accurate, complete, usable.
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.
Equipment: Suitable for demonstration or illustrated presentation. Good visual aids if needed.
Conclusion: Stress important points in summary. Show finished product if there is one. Definite closing (be creative, tie it in with the introduction); questions answered satisfactorily.
Additional information on demonstrations is available on the Lincoln County 4-H website at z.umn.edu/demoguide.
Performing Arts allows youth to showcase their talents in the areas of vocal, dance, instrumental, speech, and more! This live on-stage performance allows youth to strengthen their confidence while doing something they love! There will also be a conference judging part to the event where the judge will ask about why they chose the performance they did, if they faced any challenges, if they learned anything from the experience and more!
Clothing & Fashion Revue gives youth a chance to take a stroll down the fashion runway! Whether you enjoy sewing your own clothing, or prefer to shop at a store, you can create an outfit and showcase it at our County Fashion Review Showcase! Outfits are judged prior to the public showcase. Constructed garments will be judged on construction, the overall outfit and how it works with their wardrobe, and the youth’s overall learning experience with the project. Purchased garments will be judged on selection of the outfit in relation to factors like fabrics, design, and fit, how the outfit fit into their budget, how it fits into their wardrobe, the overall outfit that was put together, and the youth’s overall learning experience with the project.
The 4-H Pre-Fair Conference Judging Experience
4-H provides many opportunities for youth involved to learn and grow. While participation in these events is certainly not a requirement of membership, it is a wonderful way for young people to showcase and receive feedback and recognition for their work.
4-H Pre-Fair Events are Judged in a Conference
Conference judging is a conversation between the judge and the 4-H’er. It is a chance for youth to explain to a judge what they have learned from their project experience. It allows time to ask a judge questions that they may have about the project.
What to I Expect During Conference Judging?
The interview is as important as the exhibit itself: an equal “weight” is given on the actual exhibit and on the conference—50/50.
The judge, who is knowledgeable in the project area, determines the ribbon placing.
Judges will observe, question, listen and challenge youth
Judges offer encouraging and constructive feedback, as well as suggestions on how to further explore the project area.
How are Cloverbuds Judged?
The judge will ask youth to tell them about their project.
The judge will ask you questions about the project and may give ideas for next year’s project.
Youth will receive a recognition ribbon for Cloverbuds.
The Cloverbud program provides youth in K - 2nd grade the opportunity to explore and actively learn in a noncompetitive environment. Developmental research supports noncompetitive activities and participation recognition for youth in this age division.
Qualifying for the Minnesota State Fair
You must have completed 6th grade in order to participate in 4-H events at the Minnesota State Fair. If you are listed on the State Fair Line Up at the county fair, you might be eligible for the State Fair! There may be additional eligibility requirements, depending on your project, so be sure to review the rules in the premium book for these details.
If you participate at the MN State Fair, there will be some paperwork you’ll be asked to complete. You’ll bring your exhibit home following the County fair, update it with any suggestions the judge had for you, and returned to the Extension office. 4-H Staff will deliver all projects to the State Fair (general projects only), and you will participate in conference judging at the State Fair, similar to the County Fair! Your exhibit will stay on display at the 4-H Building for all 12 days of the MN State Fair.
What is the State Fair Line Up?
4-H Members in 3rd grade through one year past high school are judged on the projects they signed up for 50% on the project quality and 50% on their knowledge of the project for non-livestock projects. Judges will award a blue, red or white ribbon for each project at the time of judging. After judging is completed, Judges are then asked review all the projects and select the top two projects to receive the grand and reserve champion placings, and any other top placing youth and their projects for a “State Fair Line Up.” The youth placed on this list typically have projects that the judge feels are worthy of competing at the MN State Fair. The line ups are posted for public viewing the day after General Exhibit judging or shortly after each livestock show, inside the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. Youth are asked to review the line-ups and decline or accept any trips they’ve won. This process can be confusing, so we hope that you will ask any 4-H Staff Member about any questions you may have!
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