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Participating in your local 4-H projects could bring you to county, regional, state and national competitions! Competitions are open to youth ages 9 and up. In addition to helping you improve your personal skills and knowledge, you gain the experience of connecting with other youth in your project area from across California, and sometimes nationwide!
As part of the University of California, our 4-H professionals and volunteers support your learning with research-based curriculum and processes. The high performance of 4-H youth at state and national competitions is a testament to the quality of your learning experience!
California 4-H State Qualifying Contests
California 4-H State Qualifying Contests
To compete in national 4-H contests 4-H youth must first qualify at a State Qualifying Event. Participants who qualify for national competitions will receive additional information from the State 4-H office.
Buckles, keychains, ribbons, plaques are among the awards at the State Horse Classic horse show.
Livestock
Livestock
Livestock Judging
Livestock Judging
California 4-H State Livestock Judging Rules (docx)
UC Davis Field Day - The top three teams in the Senior 4-H division will qualify to participate in a national 4-H competition. Contest Date: TBA
Livestock Skillathon
Livestock Skillathon
California Youth Ag Expo (CYAE) - The top 4 youth in the 14-18 year old category will be eligible to qualify for the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon. Contest Date: July 31, 2025
Dairy Cattle Judging
Dairy Cattle Judging
California State 4-H Dairy Contest Rules (PDF)
The top four 4-H youth in the Senior age division will qualify for the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. Contest Date: TBA
Avian/Poultry
Avian/Poultry
Poultry Judging
Poultry Judging
California State Poultry Judging Rules (PDF)
Avian Bowl
Avian Bowl
New for 2025 - contest will be held at the 4-H State Field Day
Senior 4-H team members can qualify for the 4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference. Team only contest.
Contest Date: TBA
Plant Science/Horticulture
Plant Science/Horticulture
The 4-H State Plant Science Contest at CA 4-H State Field Day is the qualifying state contest for the National Junior Horticulture Association.
Fashion Revue
Fashion Revue
State Fashion Revue at Calif. 4-H State Field Day is the qualifying state contest for the National 4-H Fashion Revue, held at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
National 4-H Competitions
National 4-H Competitions
California 4-H participates in the following National 4-H Competitions. Qualifying team members can decide if they will attend a national competition. Both team members and coaches should be aware of the following guidelines.
Roles & Responsibilities for staff, coaches, chaperones and youth for National Contests (PDF)
Guidelines from National 4-H Headquarters for Multi-state Competititve Events (PDF)
The California 4-H team had two members place in the top 5 in the National 4-H Fashion Revue held at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
California 4-H is represented at the following national competitions. Participation in national competitions requires pre-qualifying at a state competition.
Animal Science Competitions
Animal Science Competitions
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
Livestock Judging & Livestock Skillathon
Livestock Judging & Livestock Skillathon
North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) (Louisville, KY)
American Royal (Kansas City, MO)
Western National Roundup (Denver, CO)
Dairy Cattle Judging
Dairy Cattle Judging
National 4-H Dairy Judging competition at the World Dairy Expo (Madison, WI). The World Dairy Expo is the international dairy meeting place, a five-day event showcasing the finest in dairy genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry.
Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl
Poultry Judging & Avian Bowl
4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference (Louisville, KY)
Plant Science/Horticulture
Plant Science/Horticulture
National Junior Horticulture Association contest in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Fashion Revue
Fashion Revue
Contact Stephanie Barrett at slbarrett@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Fashion Revue, held at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
4-H Shooting Sports
4-H Shooting Sports
Contact Russell Hill at rdhill@ucanr.edu or Nathaniel Caeton at nwcaeton@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship, Grand Island, NE
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