CLASSES FOR 4-H AND OTHER YOUTH

THE 4-H PLEDGE

I pledge
My HEAD to clearer thinking,
my HEART to greater loyalty,
my HANDS to larger service, and
my HEALTH to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.

THE 4-H BUILDINGS AT FIELD DAYS GROUNDS

In 1980, the Addison County 4-H Foundation assumed responsibility from the Addison County Youth Center for the large dairy barn, the horse barn, and the youth exhibit hall at Field Days. Field Days is a very important part of the 4-H program and 4-H has accepted the challenge of maintaining these buildings. The Foundation’s purpose is to raise money in support of the Addison County Educational 4-H program. The maintenance and improvement of the 4-H facilities at Field Days is a major expense. People wishing to help 4-H may contact any Addison 4-H Foundation Trustee Jessica McDonald, Elaine Desforges, Kathy Nisun, Shelley Smith, Jake Jacobs, Martha Seifert, Laurie Bertrand, Jeff Lester, Janet Piper, Kari Smith, Victor Bolduc, and Patrick Reen. Youth Members Katherine Whipple and David Bertrand.

4-H Pass Policy

  1. 4-H members and 4-H leaders will be awarded a colored Field Days Bracelet for 2023. Each organizational leader is to submit a list of active members and leaders for their club at any time before July 31, 2023 to 4-H Fair Passes, UVM Extension, 23 Pond Lane, Suite 300, Middlebury, VT 05753 or email Martha Seifert. 4-H members are to receive their pass from their 4-H leader as soon as available.
  2. All 4-H members need to work in either the Dusty Chuck or Youth Exhibit Hall at some time during the fair week in order to receive a pass.
  3. 4-H horse show exhibitors: A. Passes will be issued by the 4-H Extension Office according to announced rules (see 4-H Horse Show rules). Car passes will come from the Horse Show Superintendent. B. Non-4-H’er entries will get one (1) free day pass per rider.
  4. Two (2) 4-H Parent passes per family can be purchased for $15.00 for a season pass for 4-H Dairy, 4-H Beef and 4-H Sheep families at Field Days office Sunday or Monday. Any more will be at the leader’s discretion (example: split families may need more for two sets of parents). All purchases for the club will be made by the leader. No 4-H member or parent may purchase 4-H passes at the office.
  5. Other Youth who are participating every day (including the FFA & 4-H Dairy, FFA & 4-H Beef, Open Dairy, Open Beef, & Sheep Shows): a 5-day pass may be purchased for $15.00.

YOUTH HALL EXHIBITS

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

All youth are encouraged to exhibit their talents in the Youth Hall. Any non-profit youth oriented group is invited to display exhibits. Exhibits may be created by groups, clubs or individuals. Articles may be exhibited even if they do not fit into a standard category. All exhibit space must be pre-registered with Martha Seifert, UVM Extension Office, 23 Pond Lane, Suite 300, Middlebury, VT 05753 (or 388-4969), by July 31, 2023.

All exhibits must have been produced, made or grown by the exhibitor(s) in the current year, and are exhibited at the exhibitor’s risk.

ENTRY TAGS

All exhibits will have an entry tag securely attached, filled out by the exhibitor or group/club leader, with age as of 1/1/2023 and number of years in the project. Please complete both sides of the entry tag. Tags will be available at the Youth Hall at setup time. Cloverbuds will have separate club tags.

CATEGORY SHEETS

Each group, club or individual will be given category sheets at time of setup. Clubs are requested to list all individual items by category on these sheets to be sure every item gets judged. Cloverbuds will have separate category sheets.

JUDGING

Each article being exhibited will be judged within the assigned club/group exhibit space using the Danish merit system. Points will deducted if items do not have a tag, if tags are not turned over so the judge can not see the members name and if there are no category sheets. Only necessary people will be allowed in the building during judging, No members can remain during judging except for designated teen leaders.

SET-UP

The Youth Hall will only be open from noon to 6 p.m., Sunday to receive exhibits and set up displays. Judging will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. Individual exhibits will be set up within the club exhibit space all at once and left there for the entire fair.

REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS

Any exhibit removed from the Youth Hall prior to 9:00 p.m. Saturday will forfeit any premiums awarded to that exhibit. Premiums will be available at 9:00 p.m. Saturday. The Youth Exhibit Hall will be open from 10 a.m. - noon on Sunday for removal of exhibits and premiums will be available then. If this option is used the Superintendent needs to be notified Saturday night. Any club/group who fails to clear out their exhibit area by noon, Sunday, will forfeit any premium that has been earned by that exhibit.

4-H CLUB OR YOUTH GROUP EXHIBIT

Members of a 4-H club, other youth group, or in-school program are encouraged to enter their articles (other than livestock) as part of a club/group exhibit. The entries will be judged as individual articles, and as an overall club exhibit. Each club/group must pre-register for space needed. The club/group is responsible for creating an attractive exhibit in that space. The club/ group name should be displayed clearly. A contact person and phone number should be displayed. Use of a banner of permanent cloth construction (minimum size: eighteen inches wide by twenty-four inches long) is preferred. Do not crowd too much into a small area. Educational table top exhibits will be displayed separately from club exhibits. Separate space is reserved for posters and photographs.

Judging Criteria:

  • Exhibit attracts and holds viewer’s interest
  • Exhibit tells a story and/or shows accomplishments
  • Quality and workmanship in The exhibit
  • Balanced, creative display
  • Effective use of space

Premiums:

  1. Best of Show Rosette = $25
  2. Blue Ribbon = $12
  3. Red Ribbon = $10

EDUCATIONAL TABLE TOP EXHIBITS

Any 4-H club, project group, other youth group, in-school program or individual youth may prepare educational exhibits. This is an excellent opportunity to show some phase of learning in which you have been involved. Both table top and backboard must be utilized as a 3 dimensional display. A single or series of posters is not an educational exhibit! Items should be secured down so they don’t fall over or be blown off by the wind.

Judging Criteria

  • Attracts attention and holds interest
  • Conveys message — instructional
  • Displays effective title
  • Displays club/individual name
  • Subject is suitable, timely and important
  • General appearance and workmanship of exhibit

Premiums:

  1. Best of Show Rosette = $20
  2. Blue Ribbon = $8
  3. Red Ribbon = $6

4-H CLUB/YOUTH GROUP HANDS-ON ACTION EXHIBIT

Any 4-H club/group or individual may prepare an action exhibit showing some phase of the youth program. These exhibits provide an excellent opportunity for you to show the public any outstanding achievement or an activity being done by your program. Exhibit should be interactive with the public either through conversation, music or by actually doing an activity. Be creative! Many project areas can be adapted into this type of exhibit. An on-going exhibit should last approximately one hour at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 or 3:30 p.m. or by special request. These may be done more than once.

Judging Criteria

  • Holds interest
  • Entertaining or educational
  • Enjoyable and timely subject
  • Interactive with public
  • Explanatory material used where needed
  • Overall appearance

Premiums

  1. Best of Show Rosette = $15
  2. Blue Ribbon= $10
  3. Red Ribbon = $8

Project Best of Show

Best of Show rosettes will be awarded when deemed suitable in the following project areas: art, clothing, crafts, foods/nutrition, flower arrangements, handiwork, photography, vegetable garden exhibit, woodworking/electrical. Premiums are only awarded to the Best of Show projects.

Premiums:

Best of Show Rosette = $10

FOODS/NUTRITION EXHIBIT

Recipes must accompany items, no mixes permitted. Small entries should be attractively displayed on a paper plate, i.e.: five cookies, three muffins, etc. Examples of exhibits: breads, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, fudge, pies, muffins, nutritional games, etc. Food items may be brought in Monday morning before 9:00 a.m. Clubs need to notify the Superintendent if a food item is to be added to their display.

HANDIWORK EXHIBIT

Handmade handiwork consists of knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, tatting, latch hook, & rug hooking. Other items will be considered as crafts.

KITS

Article assembled and finished from a kit.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

All photographic exhibits must be taken by the youth, it must consist of one picture in proper display in hanging frame or a series comprising a study or telling a story. A separate section is set aside for photos. These items still need to be on a category sheet and left with the Superintendent.

VEGETABLE GARDEN EXHIBIT

Garden Basket

Produce from youth gardens should be presented as a variety basket garden exhibit. Produce should be arranged in an attractive container.

Single Vegetable Item Exhibit individual vegetables or fruit.

Exhibit 4-6 items for small produce, 1–3 for larger produce.

Judging Criteria — Vegetables Or Fruits

  • Variety of vegetables exhibited
  • Uniformity in size, shape, color and maturity
  • Quality — peak condition for eating purposes
  • Condition — free from disease, insect damage, cuts, bruises, or growth cracks

Foods and vegetables used in exhibits must stand the test of time. Exhibits which become unattractive will be removed ie. . .a foul smell, mold, etc. .

ART EXHIBIT

Any piece of work or study consisting of water colors, pen and ink, charcoal, acrylic, oils, sculpture or other artistic medium created by youth may be exhibited. No paint-by-numbers.

CLOTHING/SEWING EXHIBIT

Articles made by the youth — for example: an equipped sewing box, animal garment (like horse blankets), apron, dress, skirt, shorts, blouse, slacks, jumpsuit, coat, quilts, etc. Outfits will be evaluated as one entry.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY ITEM

For example: PowerPoint presentation, poster, webpage, computer game or video. Must be easily communicated to the viewer.

CRAFTS EXHIBITS

Any hand-made craft may be exhibited by youth. Precut or preprinted kits are not permitted. Examples of crafts; ceramics, dolls, leather items, jewelry or beads, picture frames, stained glass, clay or plaster, novelties, baskets, pottery, etc.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Exhibitors may display potted, fresh and/or dried arrangements which have been designed by youth in your own container. It is acceptable and encouraged to replace wilted flowers with fresh ones.

Judging Criteria - Flowers

  • Design — including balance, harmony and scale
  • Workmanship, Creativity, Choice of container
  • Condition of flowers, free from disease and not overmature

MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT EXHIBITS

Any item that does not fall easily into any of the other categories must be relative to a current 4-H project. There will only be a rosette if an exhibit is deemed very superior.

POSTER EXHIBIT*

Posters are to be hung and displayed on the poster display board. Posters may be exhibited from any project area. Examples: 4-H promotion, career exploration, citizenship, horsemanship, health, leadership, foods, dairy, livestock, child care, clothing, shop and handiwork, etc. Minimum size: 14 inches by 22 inches. May be any medium: marker, watercolor, ink, crayon, acrylic, charcoal, oils or collage, but not three-dimensional. Please attach poster entry tag to poster. Posters will be exhibited on the poster display at all times. No Foam Boards

Judging Criteria - Posters

  • Extra points will be given for those done by hand
  • General appearance and lettering
  • Attracts interest
  • Conveys message
  • Subject suitable, timely and important

Premiums

  1. Rosette - $5
  2. Blue Ribbon $2
  3. Red Ribbons $1

WOODWORKING/ELECTRICAL EXHIBIT

Articles made of wood and/or that use electrical circuitry in their construction may be exhibited in this category. No kits permitted, but pre-cut items will be judged accordingly. Dairy show boxes & Horse tack boxes will be judged while in use during the week. These must be pre-registered to account for scheduling and must be made by member. Check with the Superintendent upon arrival.

Don’t let the name scare you. These are models and miniature scene displays arranged on a board with 3 dimensional figures. Maximum size of 2 feet by 4 feet. Must be on a firm base. Examples: a farm scene or layout, garden plots, horse show or sugarbush scene. Please attach a 3 x 5 card with title, brief description of your project, and your name. Be imaginative and creative in your use of materials.

RECYCLED EXHIBIT

Recycling is the process of collecting materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and then turning it into something new. An example of this is collecting old newspapers and magazines, turning them into pulp to make new paper. By recycling we can keep the environment clean and preserve natural resources. It is amazing what can be made using recycled items such as old newspapers, plastic soda bottles, cans, glass jars, cardboard boxes, etc. Use your imagination to create something new from something used! Judging Criteria – Recycled • Items used must be clean • Project must consist of at least 80% of recycled materials • Attracts people’s attention about recycling

SUNFLOWER

Grow a sunflower in a 5-gallon bucket. Awards for the tallest and the largest head. Get your seeds from the 4-H office so everyone has the same variety. Judging Criteria – Sunflower • Tallest • Largest head

SMALL ANIMAL EXHIBIT

SUPERINTENDENT: Pam Gevry 759-2238, Cell: 373-8069

Any youth or 4-H member raising livestock or animals other than dairy, sheep, beef animals, llamas, or horses that are not in the shows are urged to exhibit their animals with a display in the children’s barnyard. All animals must be pre-registered with both Martha Seifert in the 4-H office and the Children’s Barnyard Superintendent: Pam Gevry 759-2238.

Please read the section in back of this program book for health requirements, rules and other information on the Children’s Barnyard.

This is an educational building, so each animal or exhibit will need to have a poster or display about your animal project. Small animal exhibit nametags are available thru the 4-H office. Exhibitors should be prepared to spend some time in the petting area also. ALL ANIMALS MUST BE IN PLACE BY 8:00 P.M. Monday and remain on display until 9 p.m. Saturday.

ANIMAL COSTUME CLASS

OPEN TO ALL YOUTH

Thursday, 7:30 pm.

Open to all species of animals except horses for safety precautions. All you need is a Handler or Leadsman and an animal dressed up in a costume to depict a scene or theme (historical, customs, cultures, beauty, joke or gag, etc.).

Write a short narrative description including name, theme, and any other particular which might be of interest to the audience and deliver to Robin Severy at the 4-H Dairy Barn before 4:00 P.M. of the day of the costume class.

Classes to be divided into 4 sections by age:

  1. Munchkins (7 years and under)
  2. Intermediates (11-13)
  3. Juniors (8-10 years olds)
  4. Seniors (14 & over)

To be judged upon effectiveness of carrying out a theme and audience appeal with ribbons and awards.

All entrants are encouraged to participate in the Field Days Parade.