C.2.1 Guidelines for 4-H Animal Shows at Agricultural Fairs
Maine 4‑H members who wish to show animals at Maine Agricultural Shows must abide by the current Regulations for 4-H Shows at Maine Agricultural Fairs. These regulations include, among other things, allowing leased animals in 4‑H Shows and requiring exhibitors to present the standard Approval Form for 4‑H Animal Shows.
The Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows certifies that the youth is an enrolled 4-H member in good standing and that the animals listed on the form are the ones being used in the project on the date the form was signed by the appropriate Extension staff member. The 4‑H leader must sign the form on the line immediately below the last animal listed. The 4‑H educator or professional in the county where the member is enrolled in that particular animal project must sign the form on the signature line at the bottom. An embossed photocopy of the Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows is then given to the 4‑H member and the original is kept on file in the 4‑H office in the county where the member is enrolled in that project.
Ownership/Lease dates (Being developed)
Agricultural Fair 4‑H Shows support the 4‑H programs being conducted in that fair's county. 4-H shows are developed by the county 4‑H educator or professional who works with the Fair's board. The county 4-H educator or professional and the members of the board who devise the show are responsible for the creation and enforcement of any rules not covered by the State 4‑H Show Guidelines. However, these rules must be published in a timely manner and available to all interested parties.
Individuals who work with 4-H shows (Superintendents, Judges, Gatekeepers, and so on) are encouraged to be positive and well mannered in their interaction with 4‑H youth. Critiques and directions should be phrased in a positive manner that helps build the young person's self‑esteem.
Contests and awards are to be developmentally appropriate.
4-H members must fit any animals they show.
Safety rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
3/19/07
C.2.2. Guidelines for 4-H Exhibit Halls at Agricultural Fairs
Each county Extension 4-H educator or professional works with local volunteers and fair committees as appropriate to develop 4-H rules and regulations governing 4-H exhibit halls at fairs. 4-H staff are encouraged to adopt these guidelines to create consistency among fairs.
06/05/02
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- All currently enrolled 4-H members in good standing from ___(name
of )____county and the towns of ___(town names)____ are
encouraged to enter. All exhibits by club members must be approved by
and entered through their club leader. For Club Leaders to enter
your 4-H Club, and Independent Advisors to enter your Independent
Members, please call ___(person)____ at ___(phone #)__ by
__(date)____, 2002. Space will be reserved on a first
come, first served basis. Independent members either leave their
exhibits in the Exhibit Hall by ___(time & date) to be set up
by 4-H Staff, or bring them to the Extension Office by (date)
. No entry fee will be charged.
- Entrants can exhibit only items that they have produced or prepared
in a project in which they are active during the current 4-H year.
Members may exhibit only one entry in any one project area,
except for Creativity Unlimited, where projects not
covered elsewhere in these rules may be exhibited. And projects on
distinct animal species, musical instruments, physical fitness and
sports, and mechanical sciences may be considered separate
projects as noted in the Exhibit Requirements, below. Members may
enter an exhibit for each separate project of these types.
- Exhibits must follow the Exhibit Requirements. Those that do
not will receive no premium. The decisions of the judges are final. The
Fair will afford the best protection possible for exhibits, but
Extension and the Fair distinctly disclaim any liability for losses or
damage to exhibits.
- Each entry must have a standard 4-H Exhibit & Judging Card
and a Life Skills Card securely attached to it. Both cards are
available from the Extension Office. Both sections of the Exhibit &
Judging Card must be filled out completely by the 4-H'r, unless he/she
is unable to do so. (A six year old who can't write small enough may
have help from a leader or parent.) Include the unit level if the
project has one, but otherwise write the number of years the
member has been in the project in the Unit Level space. Include
your age as of January 1st, 2002, in the Age space of the card.
Failure to fill the card out completely will result in a one-ribbon
mark-down. Any special considerations that should be taken into
account by the judges should be written on a Post-It note attached to
the 4-H Exhibit & Judging Card by the leader.
- NO KITS are accepted, except in "Commercial Crafts", "Models",
"Rocketry" and "Stitchery" projects. By a "KIT" we mean articles made of
pre-cut or pre-formed pieces that are only assembled by the
4-H'r.
- No posters, written reports, or scrap books allowed, except as
specifically noted below in a project category. Where posters are
allowed, their size must be 14" x 22",
unless otherwise noted, with lettering that is legible from at least
four feet away.
- All 4-H exhibits must be in place in the Exhibition Hall by
(time and date) , or they will not be judged. The Exhibit
Hall will be open (times and dates) , for exhibits
to be set up.
- The judging will be done on the "Danish System" and will take place
at (time and date) . Each worthy exhibit will be awarded a
ribbon and premium on the basis of how well it displays
appropriate skills for the member's age and number of years in the
project.
- For all exhibits of photos, EXCEPT for a Photography Project,
mount them neatly on one piece of poster board not larger than 14” x
22”.
- Premiums are as follows:
Blue - $____ Red - $____ White - $____
- 4-H Club Leaders are
responsible for their members following these rules and requirements,
and Leaders must remove all exhibits from the Exhibit Hall (time
and date) .
- The last category in the Exhibit Requirements, "Creativity Unlimited", is for bona fide projects that are not covered elsewhere in the Requirements.
4-H CLUB EXHIBIT GUIDELINES
All clubs will display their projects as a club unit in a space assigned to the club. To be assigned space, please call ____(person's name) at (phone #s) by (time and date) . If a club reserves space but does not show up, it will be unable to show at the fair next year unless the leader has called (person's name) by (date) to let us know the club isn't coming. Clubs are urged to use their members' projects as their major display items. Other decorations may be used sparingly to enhance the overall appearance of the club display (crepe paper, streamers, dried flowers, etc.) Independent Members' exhibits will be set up by 4-H Staff.
The club must prominently include its name and city or town for the public to see, and must have a standard “4-H Exhibit & Judging Card” completed and tacked to the front of the top shelf. The card must show the club name and the leader's name and town. The club exhibits will be judged as follows:
- 40 Points - for overall appearance of the club members' individual projects in the space provided.
- 25 Points - for overall appearance of the decorated space.
- 25 Points - for the name and address of the club (appearance and execution)
- 10 Points - for completed and properly placed exhibit card.
Rosettes will be awarded to the First and Second place clubs. Premiums
are:
First place club: $_____ Second
place club: $_____ All other clubs: $ _____
PROJECT EXHIBITS
We offer the following descriptions as examples of what members may enter for their Hall Exhibits in projects they are doing this year. Members may enter an exhibit that meets these descriptions or, with Extension Educator approval, enter an exhibit of their own creation that illustrates what they have learned or have done in the project. The exhibit must be appropriate for the age of the member and years of experience in the project. Please review the General Requirements, above, and the exhibit descriptions, below, and make your exhibit about the same size as those described here. There is not room for larger exhibits at the Fair.
ANIMAL PROJECTS
Any item the member has made for the project during this 4-H year; or
four regular size photos that tell a story, mounted as a unit and
individually labeled, (see Rule #9, above), or a notebook the member
has kept on their animal, or a poster depicting some aspect of
animal care. Separate entries may be submitted for each species of animal
as long as each is conducted as a separate project. Poultry members
may submit one-half dozen eggs instead of photos or an “item the member has
made”, and must write on the Exhibit Card the average number of eggs
produced per week. Exhibits may be entered for animals that are shown at
the fair. No live animals displayed. This category includes ALL animals
not specifically mentioned elsewhere in these rules.
ART
Drawings or paintings made by the member ready for hanging with screw
eyes or wire or other appropriate attachment, displaying appropriate skills
for level and medium used, or exhibit such art in a sketchbook open
to the page being exhibited. No paint by number kits or tracings. Other
art items such as tube painting, scrimshaw, marbling or sculpture may be
included in this category.
BEEKEEPING
One pint of honey from member's beehive; or a poster about
beekeeping, social structure of bees, the beehive, or how to extract honey,
etc. NO LIVE BEES!
BICYCLE
An exhibit showing safe bicycle use; or a poster with a schedule
and map of a bike trip taken this year; or other exhibit as suggested
in the project manual; or 4 photos that tell a story with individual
labels.
CAMPING
A camping item made in the project; or a survival kit made in the
project; or a poster with ten knots you've learned in the project;
or a sturdy 8" x 12" handmade model of an Appalachian Shelter; or
a display illustrating "no-trace" camping techniques; or a poster
with a written schedule and map of a camping/hiking trip taken this 4-H
year.
CANDLE MAKING
Any article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the
member's age and number of years in the project.
CERAMICS & POTTERY
Any article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the
member's age and number of years in the project.
CHILDCARE
A safe and sanitary toy, game, or child’s item made by the member,
(list the age of child for whom it was made on the Exhibit Card); or
a poster or scrapbook showing appropriate childcare concerns.
CITIZENSHIP or COMMUNITY SERVICE
Display or 14"x 22" poster illustrating: one of the individual
member’s community service projects; or the importance of voting,
etc. Or enter a collection of historic or related items, occupying
no more than two square feet; or 4 photos that tell a story with
individual labels.
COMMERCIAL CRAFTS
For 5 - 8 year old members only. This category is for non-original arts
and crafts, such as Artex kits, paint-by-number, craft kits, etc. A KIT
EXHIBIT MUST BE MARKED AS A KIT. Paintings must be framed properly.
NO COLORING BOOKS.
COMPUTERS
A printout of a program written by the member; or a display on
the different parts or functions of a computer, or how a computer
works, or the things computers do, etc.
CRAFTS (No more than one "Craft" exhibit may be shown by each
member) NO KITS
Any original article made by the member and approved by the leader
that does not fit in another exhibit category in these rules. (See Art,
Ceramics, Candle Making, Commercial Crafts, Macramé', Metal Crafts, etc.)
CROCHETING
An article made by the member, such as headband, mittens, stretch
slippers, sweater, afghan, pillow, etc.
EARTH CONNECTIONS / NATURAL RESOURCES
Any article or poster that illustrates to the public what has been done
in this project for the year. May include scrapbooks or articles in which
member has made items from natural resources such as: gourd birdhouses,
walking sticks, shadow boxes of shore items, etc., or poster display
or scale model on the ecology of a plant or animal species or on a habitat
or community studied this year.
ELECTRICITY
Any article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the
member's age and number of years in the project.
ENTOMOLOGY
A poster display of what has been done in the project during the past
year. Include an explanation of the project. Examples: planting a
butterfly garden and displaying photos of butterflies visiting the garden; a
non-toxic way to eliminate pests; pictures of insects in their natural
habitat; or 4 photos that tell a story with individual labels. No
scrapbooks or kits, and NO LIVE BUGS!
or
Exhibit insect specimens neatly mounted in a case protected by a see-through cover, and labeled with their name on official 4-H entomology labels. 4-H members who cannot write small enough to fit the name on the label may have help.
- Beginner - a minimum of 15 different mounted species of insects with common names
- Intermediate - a minimum of 25 different mounted species in at least 5 orders, with common names
- Advanced - a minimum of 35 different mounted species in at least 6 orders with scientific names
- Master - a minimum of 45 different mounted species in at least 7 orders with scientific names
FIELD CROPS & FRUITS
From a minimum 1/4 acre planted to the same crop. One of: 6 bean pods
or 1 pint dry beans; or 3 potatoes; or 3 ears of corn; or
3 of any produce you raised to sell; or 1 pint of berries; or
a berry plant in a waterproof container.
FISHING
An article made by member such as: collection of 6 flies including 1
dry, 1 nymph, 1 streamer and 3 other flies mounted on a wooden board or
poster board; fish print tee shirt; streamer wallet or tying tool blocks;
hat band, fly rods, or other fishing related item appropriate to age and
number of years in the project; or Four regular-size photos that
tell a story with individual labels.
FOOD PREPARATION
A recipe collection of at least 10 recipes in a current 4-H project and
displayed in a box or notebook. Each recipe should include its source and
member's comments or recommendations. Recipes may be all one category
(snacks, foreign foods, fat free, etc.) or may be varied. Only one recipe
collection per member; or food articles made in the project
showing appropriate skills for the member's age and number of years in the
project. It should be something that will stay somewhat
attractive for the week of the fair. All such food exhibits must fit on a
standard paper plate, be securely wrapped or sealed, and will be judged on
taste, texture, and appearance. Include the recipe of whatever you
made on a 3" x 5" card.
FOOD PRESERVATION (Complete and attach a "Food Preservation Label" to each container.)
- Beginner - 2 jars of different produce - choice of fruits, berries, tomatoes, jam
- Intermediate - 3 jars of different produce - choice of fruits, vegetables, jam, jelly, berries, marmalade, pickles, or relish.
- Advanced - 4 jars of different produce - choice of fruits, vegetables, jam, jelly, berries, conserves, pickles, relish
FOREST CONSERVATION
Six mounted photos that illustrate poor forest conservation practices,
labeled to tell what the poor practice is and what might be done to
“correct” the problem; or six mounted "before and after" photos that
illustrate the member’s own erosion prevention project, such as building
diversion ditches or water bars, plantings of seedlings or ground cover,
etc.
FORESTRY
Specimens must be labeled with common and scientific names.
- Beginner - Collection of leaves, or needles and twigs with winter buds, of a least 10 tree species commercially important to Maine.
- Intermediate - Collection of seeds of 10 tree species commercially important to Maine.
- Advanced - Collection of at least 4 disease, insect, or animal damaged specimens, or a display of some phase of industrial forestry, such as Christmas tree production or commercial logging, etc.
GARDENING - Indoor
Specimens must be labeled with common and scientific names.
- Beginner - One house plant grown by 4-H member.
- Intermediate - A dish garden or terrarium.
- Advanced - A dried flower arrangement; or a winter centerpiece or bouquet using dried flowers, grasses or grains. Driftwood, stones, evergreens, figurines may be used. No fresh flowers.
GARDEN CROPS (Not a Field Crop project as described above.)
Exhibit must be labeled with variety names.
A member may enter one Garden Crop exhibit, using any combination of
the Home Garden produce for which he/she was responsible for
preparing the soil, planting, tending, and harvesting, as long as the
produce exhibited will fit on a standard paper plate. Tops should be
removed within one inch of the top of root vegetables. Brush vegetables but
do not wash. Select for uniform size, shape and color. Tomatoes may be
green.
GARDEN FLOWERS
Flower arrangement, corsage, or winter bouquet.
GEOLOGY OR ROCKS & MINERALS
Exhibit must be neatly mounted, labeled, and protected with a
see-through cover. All of the Rocks or Minerals must have been
collected by the 4-H member during this 4-H year.
-
Beginner - A minimum of 10 different rocks or minerals
-
Intermediate - A minimum of 15 different rocks or minerals
-
Advanced - A minimum of 20 different rocks or minerals
HEALTH & FIRST AID
Any poster or item display that could be used to inform the public about
health issues, such as nutrition, the benefits of exercise, first aid,
emotional health, sports health, etc.; or an item, such as a first
aid kit, made by the member with an explanation of its usefulness.
HOBBIES & COLLECTIONS
A representative sample of the hobby or collection and a mounted
photo of the entire hobby or collection.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Four to six photos that show the project from beginning to end,
(suggested topics: decorating or renovating a room; a building project;
landscaping a yard; etc.), or an item made to improve the home with
four to six photos of other items made in the project.
JEWELRY
Handmade jewelry, submitted in a Ziploc bag, including but not limited
to: metal, polished stones, cloth, paper, ceramic, etc. Includes
necklaces, pins, bracelets, earrings, hair clips, rings.
KNITTING (See the Knitted Projects Guidelines sheet, attached, for a list of techniques.)
- Beginner - any article showing either garter stitch (all knit), or stockinet stitch (knit & purl).
- Intermediate - any article showing the beginner level of stitches plus three other techniques.
- Advanced - any article showing the beginner level plus four or more other techniques.
LEATHER CRAFT
Article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the member's
age and number of years in the project.
MACRAMÉ
Article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the member's
age and number of years in the project.
MAPLE SYRUP (Complete and attach a "Food Preservation Label" to the
jar.)
One pint canning jar of syrup, sealed, with the threaded ring removed.
MECHANICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE SCIENCES
Exhibit a poster or item showing: engine design and operation; or
care and maintenance of the machine; or safety considerations; or
ignition or fuel system; or similar exhibit. Separate entries may be
submitted for each type of machinery as long as each is conducted as a
separate project.
METAL CRAFT
Article made in the project showing appropriate skills for the member's
age and number of years in the project.
MODELS
Article made by the member, showing appropriate skills for the member's
age and number of years in the project. (Kits allowed.)
MUSIC and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
A display that illustrates to the public what has been done in the
project during the current 4-H year. Include a written explanation of the
exhibit on a 3"x5" card. Separate entries may be submitted for each musical
instrument, as long as each is conducted as a separate project.
PHOTOGRAPHY
A photo story displayed in a notebook. A photo story is a story told
with pictures such as: how to make a garden, how to raise an animal for the
fair, or the story of your vacation. Captions should be placed under
each photo --- neatness counts.
- Beginner — One photo story of five pictures using as many of the following as possible: people pictures, animal pictures, flash pictures, 4-H project pictures.
- Intermediate — One photo story of ten pictures using as many of the following as possible: indoor pictures with flash, action pictures, fill-in flash pictures, close-up of person or pet made with a camera to subject at distance of 4.5 feet, low camera angle, level camera angle, high camera angle pictures.
- Advanced — One photo story of fifteen pictures using as many of the following as possible: flash pictures, existing light pictures, close-up pictures, pictures with great depth of field, pictures with shallow depth of field, pictures illustrating a creative interpretation of a common-place subject.
- Master — One 8" x 10" enlargement made by member that tells a story, matted and framed. This will be hanged, so attach a device for this purpose to the back of the picture.
PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS
A display that illustrates to the public what has been done in the
project during this 4-H year, such as 4 photos that tell a story with
individual labels. All project activities must be about the member’s
participation in the fitness activity or sport. Being a spectator
does not count. Separate entries may be submitted for each sport, as
long as each is conducted as a separate project.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
A display that illustrates to the public what the member has actively
done in the project during this 4-H year, such as 4 photos that tell a story
with individual labels.
QUILTING
Article made in the project, showing appropriate skills for the member's
age and number of years in the project.
READING
- K-3 - Exhibit an 8 1/2" x 11" original book cover illustrating some aspect of a book read by the member, using original ideas from the reading. Include a 3"x 5" card listing the names of other books read in the project.
- All other 4-H'rs - An original book cover as described for K-3, and a 3"x 5" card file with a separate card for each book the member has read this 4-H year that lists the following information: title, author, publisher, publication date, number of pages, and a brief synopsis of the book.
RECREATION
Game or puzzle made in the project, showing appropriate skills for the
member's age and number of years in the project. List the age of child for
which the toy or game was made.
RECYCLING
Any usable or creative product made from recycled materials. Must show
appropriate skills for member's age and number of years in the project.
ROCKETRY
A model rocket may be used for display. Any creative way of presenting
to the public such things as: rocket design, operation, safety
considerations, ignition or fuel systems; or similar exhibit.
SAFETY
Any item or poster made by the member that could be used to inform the
public about safety considerations or potential hazards in some area of
public concern. If you exhibit an item, include an explanation on a 3”x 5”
card.
SEWING
Any one item made by the member and approved by the leader. Attach a
3"x5" index card on which is written the sewing skill(s) the item
illustrates and a list of other items made in the project. (A hanger
must be provided for hang-able items.) (The “skill requirements” are listed
on our “4-H Clothing Project Advisors Reference Sheet,” attached.)
- Beginner - 4 Beginner skill requirements
- Intermediate - 3 Intermediate skill requirements in addition to 4 beginner skill requirements
- Advanced - 3 Advanced skill requirements including at least 1 from categories 1, 3, & 5.
SNOWMOBILE
Six photos of your snowmobile activities, (see General Requirements #9);
or a poster illustrating your project; or other relevant
display.
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
Six mounted photos that illustrate poor conservation practices, labeled
to tell what the poor practice is and what might be done to “correct” the
problem; or six mounted "before and after" photos that illustrate
the member’s own conservation project; or an educational poster about
your project.
STENCILING
Any article made in the project, showing appropriate skills for the
member's age and number of years in the project.
STITCHERY
ONE article of the following, made in the project this 4-H year:
needlepoint, bargello, rug hooking, candle-wicking, crewel, cross-stitch,
etc. (Kits accepted.)
VETERINARY SCIENCE
One display or poster on: the parts of an animal; normal vital
signs; diseases; poisonous plants; heredity; nutrition; or allergies.
WILDFLOWERS
A display of 10 different specimens, mounted on 14”x 22” poster
board or in a field notebook, labeled with common and scientific names, and
covered with a see-through cover for protection. Up to four specimens may be
the member's photographs or drawings of flowers on the endangered list.
WILDLIFE
A poster or display with 6 labeled sketches or 6 mounted photos of the
wildlife you studied; track casts you made; a birdhouse, feeder, or other
item you made during the project; or a display of other items collected.
WOODWORKING
Any article made by the member during this 4-H year showing appropriate
woodworking skills (such as joining, cutting, fitting, finishing, etc.)
or, if project is not portable, make a poster with 4 - 6 labeled
sequential photos of the woodworking project. (See General Requirements
#9.) Attach a 3"x5" index card listing other items made in the project.
Members may enter only items that they have made from scratch, not from
parts pre-cut by a parent or 4-H Leader or from a commercial kit.
CREATIVITY UNLIMITED
Any exhibit made entirely by the 4-H'r during the current 4-H year in a
project that isn't covered under another project category in these rules.
Label the exhibit card with "Creativity Unlimited" and the name of the
project (e. g., “Creativity Unlimited - Composting”). More than one exhibit
may be entered in this category as long as it is about a bona fide 4-H
Project, and it is the member's only entry in that project. Leaders are
asked to carefully check these exhibits to make sure they fit this category.
06/05/02
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4‑H CLOTHING PROJECT ADVISER'S REFERENCE SHEET The 4‑H Clothing Advisor works with girls and boys, helping them develop skills in clothing construction and learning to be wise clothing consumers. Your role is one of guidance where the 4‑H'r "learns by doing." Developmental levels are a helpful, positive way for assessing the member's ability and growth in the 4‑H Clothing Project. Competence, not age or number of years in the project, is the factor which determines the level in which a 4-H'r participates. |