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!
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.
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
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
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
California State Poultry Judging Rules (PDF)
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
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.
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.
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.
Contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu
North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) (Louisville, KY)
American Royal (Kansas City, MO)
Western National Roundup (Denver, CO)
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.
4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference (Louisville, KY)
National Junior Horticulture Association contest in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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.
Contact Russell Hill at rdhill@ucanr.edu or Nathaniel Caeton at nwcaeton@ucanr.edu
National 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship, Grand Island, NE