Static Exhibits



Scroll down for project descriptions!

Types of Projects

The types of projects you can bring to the County Fair are endless!  That is one of the highlights of 4-H - you can cater your 4-H projects to something that really interests you, something you want to learn more about, or something you’ve never even heard of!  While there are 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. 
You can find learning and exhibit ideas under each project section below or on the State 4-H website's project pages here. In addition to the suggestions on the website, each project area leaves the possibilities wide open for you to create exhibits that fit your learning and ideas. 

General Guidelines for all Exhibits

  • Every effort will be made to assure the safety of all entries but, in no event will 4-H or the Wright County Fair be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits. 
  • Exhibits may consist of actual models, diagrams, pictures, games, three dimensional displays, free-standing objects, technology-related exhibits, etc. Creativity is encouraged!
  • Exhibits should show or explain something the 4-H’er made, did, or learned. 
  • All exhibits must have been created/produced by the exhibitor during the current project year.
  • 4-H staff reserve the right to remove perishable/live exhibits if they do not remain in presentable condition (i.e. plants, foods, etc.).  
  • All exhibitors are required to be members enrolled in the Wright County 4-H Program through 4HOnline.  
  • All exhibits must conform to the requirements of the class description. Judges will ask questions, please be prepared.
  • Resources should be credited and documented in the exhibit (e.g., books, internet, 4-H or Extension publications, person with special knowledge, magazine articles, etc.). Before using another person’s work a part of your 4-H exhibit, be sure that the work is subject to fair use, has a creative commons license or that you have requested and received permission (in writing) to use the original work. If an exhibit infringes on copyright law, a decision may need to be made to remove the exhibit from display at the county or state fair.
  • Opinions expressed through exhibits and presentations are those of the 4-H member and not necessarily those of MN 4-H, U of MN or the county fair/agricultural society.

Exhibit Size

All displays on poster board, tag board, or other materials should be no larger than 22" x 28", unless otherwise indicated.  Exhibits may be hung by clips on a wall.  If you do not want your exhibit hung by clips, please provide some other type of hanger.  All science displays and three-dimensional exhibits should not exceed a center back section size of 24" wide x 36" high, with left and right wings each no more than 12" wide.  Oversized exhibit permission should be sought from the Extension Office prior to the fair for any exhibits exceeding four feet in height, length, or depth. Oversized exhibits earning a State Fair trip may need to be transported by the member. 
For more information and exhibit suggestions, see publication “Tell a Story with a Blue Ribbon Exhibit" found here.

Labels

All pieces of an exhibit need to be labeled with name, grade, club, and part number (ex. part 1 of 2, part 2 of 2).  Additional requirements may apply for some projects, read each project’s “requirements” section to learn more. 

Project Drop-Off

Projects must be dropped off July 15 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. to the static exhibit building at the fairgrounds.  Members need not be present, so please feel free to make arrangements with your club or other families to drop off exhibits if needed.  You will receive an entry card for each project you are exhibiting to attach to your projects and then Ambassadors will arrange them in the building so they are all ready for display for judging day.  All 4‑H static project exhibits are expected to be in place by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday with a few exceptions: food review, perishable foods, fresh fruit, flower/indoor gardening (cut flowers), and fresh vegetables, which can be brought to judging on Tuesday.

Exhibit Judging

Static exhibit judging will take place July 18 from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm.  Members will check-in at the desk and put their name on a list to meet with a judge. Often, there can be a line to speak with the judge, so keep in mind, you may have to wait until a judge in your project area is available.  
Judging tables will be set up throughout the exhibit building for each project area. Static projects are Conference Judged: Conference Judging is a conversation between the judge and the 4-H’er. It is a chance for you to explain to a judge what you have learned from your project experience. It allows time to ask a judge questions that you may have about your project.
  • The interview is as important as the exhibit itself: 50% of the weight is given on the 4-H project itself, and the other 50% is based on the knowledge of the exhibitor.
  • The judge, who is knowledgeable in the project area, determines the ribbon placing.
  • Judges will observe, question, listen and challenge you.
  • Judges offer encouraging and constructive feedback, as well as, suggestions on how to further explore the project area.

Read judging tips from 4-H exhibitors here

Project Release

All exhibits must remain in place during the entire fair until release time at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Exhibitors who remove projects early (without permission of Wright County Fair Board and 4-H staff) will forfeit eligibility for state trips and possibly fair premiums.  Staff will have the building general exhibit building open until 8:30 p.m. that evening.  If you cannot make it to pick up your projects that evening, you must ask a friend or another club member to pick them up for you.   This being said, every year we have several projects that don’t get picked up.  Left-behind projects can be picked up at the fairgrounds the evening of Fair Clean-up, on July 24th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. or at the Extension office after that, until August 12th.  Any projects remaining after this date will be donated or thrown out.

Aerospace

Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Model rocket, airplane, satellite, hang glider, etc., explanation of how airplanes/rockets fly, identify parts of a hot air balloon or helicopter and how they work, compare different types of kites, discuss pros and cons of different types of flight (airplane vs helicopter vs jet, etc), solar system, effects of earth’s rotation, phases of the moon, solar/lunar eclipses, star chart or constellations.

 

Requirements:

Agronomy

Agricultural Technology, Corn, Soybeans, Forages, Small Grains, Specialty Crops, Plant & Soil Science, Weed & Pests

Limit 10

AGRICULUTRAL TECHNOLOGY

Exhibit Suggestions:

Technology used in agriculture such as GPS tools, drone use, implement technology, yield mapping, genetic engineering, seed traits, agricultural chemistry, precision agriculture, on-farm research, side by side trials, etc.

 

CORN/SOYBEANS/FORAGES/SMALL GRAINS/SPECIALTY CROPS

Exhibit Suggestions:

 

Requirements:

 

PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE

Exhibit Suggestions:

Soil sample analysis (soil analysis can be done by obtaining kits at your local Extension Office), different varieties of cover crops, plant life cycle

 

WEEDS & PESTS

Exhibit Suggestions:

Current pest life cycle; pest identification; prevention or treatment; impact on the plant, etc.; weed identification; in-depth investigation of one weed, a class of weeds (such as grasses or broad leaves) or a collection of different weeds.

 

Requirements:

Bicycle

Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Built, restored, reconditioned, or rebuilt bikes; types of bikes; parts of a bike; maintenance; traffic rules; bicycling hazards; city/county/regional bike or active transportation plans; how to wear a helmet; equipment used to teach others about bike repair or first aid, etc.; participation at a bike rodeo.

Child & Family Development

Limit 2

Discover how to be self-reliant and responsible, how to handle emergencies and develop home-alone skills. Learn about home safety, age-appropriate toys, nutritious snacks for children and how to create a poem, story or game.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Toy, game, puzzle, puppets, art/craft materials, etc.; babysitting kit/travel kit/rainy day kit; original book, story, poem, song, play, cookbook, audio or video tape and narrative, activity book, safety manual for children; scrapbook, photographs, items, reports, video, etc., on family heritage with description of what was learned about self and family; program and/or item used with a person with differing abilities; different types of families; care/foster families; resources for children alone at home; youth mental health - strategies to help youth cope with stress, anxiety, etc. with busy bags, sensory bottles/activities, conversation tips, etc.; job shadowing of an early childhood education provider, child care provider; resources available to lower income families (i.e. WIC, Food Shelf, etc).

 

Requirements:

Citizenship

Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions: 

Research, reflection and learning about yourself, your family, your friends; community history; how to be a good neighbor; tour of a local community, government, community agency, historic place, etc.; how government functions; different parts of the world - cities, culture, history and more; community organizations, agencies or service departments like fire departments, police departments, sanitation, tourism, etc.; service projects (including club projects you helped lead).

 

Requirements:

Clothing & Textiles

Constructed, Purchased, Upcycled, Fashion Revue

All clothing exhibits will be judged on Thursday, July 20

Clothing & Textiles exhibits should be finished, clean and pressed for exhibition. Exhibits can be used before showing, but should be cleaned before exhibiting. Garments and sewn non-garments should be appropriate for the skill level and experience of the exhibitor.

 

CONSTRUCTED CLOTHING - Limit 2


Exhibit Suggestions:

Constructed garment such as a blouse, shirt, top, skirt, pants, sweatshirt, jumper, dress, outerwear, etc.; constructed garment utilizing a fabric or technique new to the exhibitor, such as synthetic suede, active sportswear, micro-fibers, satin, etc.; tailoring techniques; wearable art that can be included as part of the constructed garment; research on careers in the industry, difference in fabric, how fabric is made, evolution of clothing, cost comparison, clothing selection, care of fabric, etc.; mended or repaired garment (include color photo of original garment and explanation of steps used).

 

Requirements:

 

UPCYCLED CLOTHING - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Significant alterations to a garment (e.g. oversized t-shirt made into a cinched t-shirt dress, alternating the style of the garment, updating an old prom dress to make it current, etc.); wearable art that can be added to purchased garment.

 

Requirements:

 

PURCHASED CLOTHING - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Purchased garment such as a blouse, shirt, top, skirt, pants, sweatshirt, jumper, dress, outerwear, etc.; pre-used garments not altered (e.g. thrift store, garage sale, hand-me-down, etc.)

 

Requirements:

 

FASHION REVUE - Constructed/Purchased/UpcycledLimit 1 exhibit per class


Exhibit Suggestions:

Judging is on the overall completed look which includes the outfit, accessories and overall appearance.

 

Requirements:


Fashion Show - Thursday, July 20, 7:00 p.m., 4-H Exhibit Building

Come watch our Fashion Revue project participants as they walk the runway and modeling garments they either made or purchased and paired with accessories. Don’t miss as the winners are revealed for the first time on stage! (See “Fashion Revue” in general exhibit section for information) 

Communication -Non-Spoken

Creative Writing, Promotional Posters, Educational Posters

Judged on Entry Day, Tuesday July 18th

 

CREATIVE WRITING - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Written short stories, poems, essays, play scripts, speeches, memoirs, blog posts, children’s story or a story written specifically for young children, typically includes illustrations; series of social media posts or an article educating the public on a topic you are passionate about; original graphic novel including characters’ dialogue, plot line and illustrations; different types of poems; your favorite author; “What is Creative Writing?”; photo journalism newspaper-style display - combination of visual and written media to interpret a newsworthy or human interest event, idea or object; comic book; cartooning

 

Requirements:

 

POSTERS: 4-H Promotional/Informational Poster - Limit 5

Exhibit Suggestions:

A poster promoting 4-H in general to various audiences; poster promoting a livestock species; poster educating the public on a livestock related topic.

 

Requirements:

Communication - Spoken

Demonstrations, Livestock Demonstrations, Presentations & Speeches, Interactive Demonstrations

Judged Wednesday July 19th - sign up for a timeslot online!

Presentations may be related to any project that the member is enrolled in or to any area of interest or expertise the 4-H’er has. Presentations may be an individual or team. Individual presentations shall not exceed 15 minutes in length and team presentations should not exceed 25 minutes in length.  

 

DEMONSTRATIONS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Teaching others a project or activity such as taekwondo, making lemonade, slime, macrame, etc.

 

Requirements:

    

LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATIONS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Demonstrate how to care for an animal or prepare it for showing at the fair; how to tie a halter; preventative or veterinary care for a species; how to tattoo an animal.

 

Requirements:

 

PRESENTATIONS & SPEECHES - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

A report on leadership lessons learned through a trip to Washington DC; educational presentation that explores sustainable energy options; persuasive speech exploring Social Media effects on youth mental health.

 

Requirements:

 

INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

An origami project where they follow along with your demonstration step-by-step and create the project with you; an interactive yoga demonstration where you teach the audience various poses.

 

Requirements:

Consumer Education & Money Management

 Limit 2

Learn about being a good consumer as you explore smart shopping, income and expenses, saving money, credit, and needs vs. wants.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

A budget workbook, income/expenses graphs, impact of supply chains on consumers, savings plans, etc.

 

Requirements:

For product comparisons:

Crafts & Fine Arts

Crafts, Fine Arts, Plastic Sculpture Challenge

CRAFTS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Work directly from a kit, diamond painting, social media influenced/inspired, LEGO kits, model replicas, no sew/tie blankets, ceramic casts, paint by number, etc.

 

Requirements:

 

FINE ARTS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Original work (no kits) in drawing, painting, sculpture, paint pouring, textiles, pottery, jewelry making, fiber art, quilling, etc

 

Requirements:

 

PLASTIC SCULPTURE CHALLENGE - Limit 2

This project was created to build awareness and knowledge of both the positive and negative impacts of single use plastics and ways how to recycle or repurpose plastic. It is also meant to empower 4-H youth to be actively involved as change agents in reducing use of single-use plastics and increasing recycling/repurposing, for their family, their club, their community, their country and their world. 

 

Note: State Fair Plastic Sculptures will be on display only. No judging will occur at the State Fair. 

 

Requirements:

Engineering Design

 Limit 2


Engineering design projects address a problem by developing a solution that successfully solves the problem. Important in engineering design projects is identification of the problem being solved and testing and improving the solution.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Using everyday items to build a simple machine to complete a simple task, create a product to solve a real life situation, create and test different types of bridge designs, create a bridge to sustain 5 pounds of weight, engineer and create a roller coaster, create a machine to launch a marshmallow a minimum of 3 feet, use wind energy to lift a bucket

 

Requirements:

See more on the Engineering Design project page

Exploring Animals

Includes Science of Animals

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Consumer issues, breeds, careers, basic care & handling, basic feeding, basic housing, animal welfare & ethics, etc.

 

Requirements:

Fishing Sports

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Fish identification; habitat and food needs of selected fish; life history of a fish; parts of a fish; fishing knots; fishing equipment which is made or repaired such as lures, fishing rods and reels, ice fishing rig, or other fishing equipment; safety practices and techniques that are related to fishing (& ice fishing) or boating; water quality affecting the fish ecosystem; aquatic habitats; invasive species; tactics to fish for various species of fish; techniques and equipment used; cultural aspects of fishing; regional differences (types of fish, environments, ways to fish, considerations); commercial fishing for food industry; career opportunities; Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations

 

Requirements:

Food & Nutrition

Foods, Nutrition, Food Preservation, Food Revue

FOODS - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Food items such as: bars & cookies (no commercial mixes), breads (no commercial mixes), cakes (no commercial mixes), pastries (no commercial mixes), gluten free baked goods, homemade meal, other homemade food, fun with convenience foods, recipe adaptation to improve nutrition, cake/cupcake & cookie decorating

Food science experiment, food and/or kitchen safety, food allergens, careers in the food industry

 

Requirements:

 

Note: If food safety is a concern, judges reserve the right not to taste and/or judge foods items.

 

NUTRITION - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Serving of nutritious food (vegetable or fruit dish, snack, bread, dairy, etc.); study of nutrients needed for yourself or someone else, using the dietary guidelines and MyPlate; food or fitness plan and show how it relates to nutritional and energy needs (example: an athlete on a volleyball team, a teen who doesn't have a lot of time); adapt a recipe(s) to show healthier ingredient choices; physical fitness and/or food choices as related to disease (such as:  cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, etc.); comparing nutrient content on labels from similar food items; nutrition-related careers

 

Requirements:

 

FOOD PRESERVATION - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

 

Requirements:

 

FOOD REVUE - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions: 

The purpose of the exhibit is to show a member’s experience in planning, preparing, and serving food as part of a meal or snack. Select a tested, favorite recipe from a cookbook, 4-H bulletin, or other reliable source.  Plan healthy meal to go along with your favorite food selection and choose an appropriate table setting for one person.  


Requirements:

Global Connections

 Limit 2

Explore countries and learn about their government, history, people and popular cultures or further explore your own culture and traditions. Discover how you can make a difference in your community and your world with a Global Connections project.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Exploring the important elements of your culture and how it is different from other cultures; coins, stamps or postcards from other countries; oral history interview with someone from another culture living in your community; teach English to non-native English speaking people; collection of foreign recipes you have prepared for others; items, pictures, maps, charts, slides/tapes, drawings, illustrations, writings or displays that depict the heritage of the member's family or community or 4-H history; a country’s or U.S. region’s geography, economy, agriculture, people, language, housing, culture, music, crafts, clothing, holidays or other aspects; pick a country to study and compare to one of the fifty U.S. states with a similar population.

Health & Wellness

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Health issues; community service project that relates to a health issue or addresses a community need; conduct a community health assessment; research resources that are available to you in your community; organize a peer support group or workshop; promote health through campaigns and events; develop an “anti-bullying” campaign; implement healthy changes in your routine; address a cause that’s connected to health and wellness; design a model of the human skeleton and label the bones or learn about other organs and systems of the human body; fitness, motion, and athletics and how they fit into a healthy lifestyle for you; careers in the health science industry.

Home Environment

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Finished or refinished item, or reupholstered furniture; repaired, restored, remodeled or upcycled item for the home; remade or reclaimed articles for the home with a link to the past, including history of use; redecorating or remodeling plan showing before and after; item creation for the home - for appeal or for practical use; home organization and functionality (i.e. make a spice rack); environmentally friendly home improvements; assess energy efficiency.

 

Requirements:

Horseless Horse/Horse Related

 Limit 2

 

Exhibit suggestions:

Horse behavior, terms, and breeds; body parts; grooming, saddling and bridling; safety and equipment; horsemanship; judging and oral reasons; selection, training, and showing; horse breeding, genetics, and heredity; horse diseases and prevention; fencing, pasturing, and housing; horse-related careers; riding apparel and equipment.


Requirements: 

Horticulture

Flower Gardening, Indoor Gardening, Landscape Design

Limit 5

FLOWER GARDENING

Exhibit Suggestions:

Outdoor living flowers and plants (including outdoor fairy gardens): cut flowers: three stems of one variety of annual flowers, or one stem of a hardy perennial, or one stem of summer flowering bulbs, or one blossom of a tea rose, or one stem of a hardy shrub rose; flower bouquet or arrangement on any theme; dried flowers with a card explaining the drying method; a flower garden plan drawn to scale on poster board; principles of propagation or reproduction, nutrition, culture, physiology (how a plant lives and grows).

 

Requirements:

 

INDOOR GARDENING

Exhibit Suggestions:

Indoor living flowers and plants (including indoor fairy gardens); Two or more varieties of house plants with common and botanical name; terrarium or dish garden: consider terrarium material of general terrarium plant of native and woodland plants of Minnesota; plant propagation, plant history, forcing bulbs, life cycle of a flowering plant, etc.

 

Requirements:

Potted Plants:

 

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Exhibit Suggestions:

Landscape design with photos, design, budget, key explaining certain pieces in the design, etc.; use a computer to design landscaping, garden area, or new treeline development; turf management; turf grasses for home use; landscape project related to service learning; discussion of using annual vs. perennial plants; pollinator gardens.

 

Requirements:

Industrial Technology

Metal Work, Woodworking

METAL WORK - Limit 2

Metal work is the creation of metal structures by cutting, bending and assembling processes. It is a value-added process involving the creation of machines, parts, and structures from various raw materials.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Article made of metal; properties, uses, or processing of metals

 

Requirements:

It is encouraged that youth provide a binder or supporting documentation about the work on the project - pictures of the process, statement of materials purchased or tools utilized etc.

 

WOODWORKING - Limit 2

Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood (or wood substitute/alternative product)

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Cabinet making (cabinetry and furniture), wood carving, joinery, carpentry, woodturning or other wood manipulation techniques; properties, uses, or processing of wood or wood alternatives.

 

Requirements:

Mechanical Science

Small Engine, Tractor, Electric

 Limit 3

Includes (but not limited to) automotive, implement, heavy equipment, recreation vehicle, small engine, tractor, and electric projects.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

An aspect of a machine or a piece of equipment use, operation, modification, repair, care, reconditioning, etc.; the history, purpose, technology or design of a machine or a piece of equipment; engine that has been reconditioned or repaired; device constructed by a member utilizing a powersource; modification or restoration of an engine, vehicle, tractor, machine or implement (body work and/or mechanical); diagram of wiring.

 

Requirements:

Natural Resources

Entomology, Exploring the Environment, Forest Resources, Geology, Water Resources

ENTOMOLOGY - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Insect collections; insect life cycle, honey production process, insect habitats or effects of environment factors on insects; insects in current events (e.g. pollinators, butterfly tagging, invasive species, protected or declining species); insects in our ecosystem.

 

Requirements:

 

EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT - Limit 2

Explore the relationships and interactions of plants, animals, humans, and their ecosystems through the specific challenges they face and/or solutions they offer.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Environmental challenges, such as climate change, pollution, erosion, etc.; phenology journal used to keep track of environmental changes throughout a season; participation in an event such as a BioBlitz or naturalist program, or other citizen science project to collect data and/or raise awareness; community map or assessment, to observe environmental needs and community assets; hiking, camping, paddling, backyard, and other explorations/adventures; Minnesota plants, insects, animals, birds or fish including information on habits, foods, and shelter needs; collection of wildflowers growing near where you live or a place you visit; local environmental engineering and/or technology applications (urban design, pocket prairies, roadside management, eco-friendly buildings, etc.); environmental policy and/or management; ecosystems or the flow of energy throughout the ecosystem; invasive, threatened, or extinct species.

 

Requirements:

 

FOREST RESOURCES - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Parts of a tree; collection of leaves, seeds, needles, etc.; tree growth; annual ring cross-sections; your favorite tree--include name of tree, drawings or pictures of tree, facts and uses of the tree, and other appropriate information; layers of the forest; renewable versus non-renewable resources; forestry careers; leaf and twig identification; taxonomic keys; nutrient road maps; forest ecosystem health; succession; tree and forest measurements; fire's effect on the forest; how trees grow; forest types; harvesting methods; pathology of the forest, invasive species, human impacts on the forest; forest products or industries, including maple syrup production, wood products, Christmas trees, or others (recreation, wildlife, etc.); woodland management such as policies created by the U.S. Forest Service or specialized design including shelterbelts/windbreaks and urban forestry; human health benefits from trees and what role trees play in global ecology; participation in a mass tree planting and carbon offset calculation; history of forestry through the lens of indigenous practices or the effects of treaties.

 

Requirements:

 

GEOLOGY - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Collections of rocks, minerals, gemstones, or fossils; collection with a theme such as metamorphism, weathering, quartz minerals, ores, etc.; polished rock specimen, including an unpolished specimen of each rock type for comparison; principles of geology; natural earth sciences; types of rocks (Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary); geologic earth structures or features such as volcano, mountain range, plate tectonics, earthquake, cave, glacier; geological time scale.

  

WATER RESOURCES - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Water’s unique chemical/physical properties; water as a necessity for life; water connecting earth systems; local water cycle or watershed; water body’s thermoclines or nutrient cycles; how water is used by people - family’s water footprint at home, stormwater runoff, water accessibility or insecurity in a specific region of the world; water/wetland resource management measures like erosion control practices, and terraces, or a map of water bodies and water quality.

 

Requirements:

Needle Arts

 Limit 2

Exhibit suggestions:

Projects created using a hand needle, hook, shuttle or loom; items made using the techniques of knitting, crocheting, embroidery and crewel, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, hardanger, weaving, appliqué, latchhook, tatting, hand embellishments, felting, hand embroidery; comparison and evaluation of materials, supplies, or accessories used for a needle arts technique; needlework product pricing, advertising and marketing; comparison of different techniques of a particular needle art (ex. different felting techniques, different stitches); caring for your project supplies (ex. storing, organizing, cleaning); historical/cultural study (e.g. needle arts heirloom from your family or local history museum).

 

Requirements:

Non-Garment

 Judged on Entry Day, July 18


Limit 2


Exhibit Suggestions:

Non-clothing sewn, constructed item (e.g. simple home or clothing accessory item such as a pillow, apron, book bag, belt, placemat, gym bag, sewing kit, etc.); non-clothing article using a pattern or your own idea.

 

Requirements:

Pets

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Pet displays on pet selection; appropriateness of a pet; cost; origin and history of the animal; breeds; health or nutrition; therapy animals; service learning; pet care; careers; training. Note: no live pets.

Photography

Photo Manipulation, Elements of Photography

Requirements:

 

ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - Limit 2

This exhibit will focus on what makes a good photograph (composition, light, shutter speed, color, depth of field, leading lines, etc.). Only whole image, post-production corrections are allowed including: cropping, exposure correction, color saturation, contrast, sharpening, and black and white conversion. Physical on-camera filters that attach to the camera lens are allowed.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

 

PHOTO MANIPULATION - Limit 2

Photographs in this category require creative software editing, including such techniques as layering, digital filters, creative coloring, removing or adding objects, text additions, etc. This category focuses on how photography is used in everyday life, including creative editing, mugs, ornaments, photo gifts, posters, calendars, brochures and advertising.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

 

Requirements:

Quilting

 Judged on Entry Day, July 18th

Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

A quilted item, any finishing technique acceptable (e.g. potholder, table runner, doll quilt, bed-sized quilt); repair, repurposing, or re-design of a previously finished quilt; the history of quilting/quilting patterns; a comparison of different fabrics or threads; different types of quilting notions and tools; piecing techniques.

 

Requirements:

Safety

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

First Aid or Childcare Kit with explanations for the items you included; Public Service Announcement and/or social media toolkit to promote a safety topic of your choice; tips for being safe when home alone, such as emergency numbers to call, safety while preparing snacks, keeping doors locked, etc.; participation in a safety program such as farm/livestock/animal, fire, food, firearms, ATV, watercraft, wilderness/outdoor, traffic, bike, personal, online, sun/skincare or others; advice from safety professionals

 

Requirements:

Science Inquiry

 Limit 2

In this project area, 4-H youth explore and become confident in the process of doing science through science inquiry.  Science inquiry is a systematic process where a curiosity or question is explored, leading to new knowledge or understanding about a phenomenon (an observable fact or event).

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Investigation of the physical properties of slime using different materials/recipes; use different types of bird feeders to determine if there is a preferred bird feeder type in your backyard; investigate the difference in the frog species in the spring and the frog species in the summer in your local pond; explore how your dog responds to different treats during training; different types of sunscreen and their effects on UV beads; test of water filtration systems to identify which one resulted in the cleanest water; investigating how the concentration of sugar affects crystal growth with rock candy.

 

Requirements:

Scrapbooking

Limit 2

(Top overall project will earn a self-determined State Fair trip.) 


Archival books will be judged on quality of materials, use of archival techniques, and preservation of family history or personal memories.

Artistic books will be judged on quality of work and use of artistic techniques and design principles.


Requirements:

Shooting Sports

Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Safety techniques (e.g. range commands and range safety, eye and ear protection, cleaning a firearm, dressing for safety-first aid, survival skills, etc.); shooting skills (e.g. basic safety rules, basic parts and functions of each piece of equipment, care and maintenance, accessories, position, etc.); member-made shooting sports equipment (e.g., pellet stand, kneeling role, target stand, quiver, etc.); history and nomenclature of firearms; sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and responsibility.

 

Requirements:

Self-Determined

Limit 2

The Self-Determined project area is intended for those projects that might not fit within other categories and for those learning experiences that members select, plan, and manage on their own. It is distinct from learning experiences determined or guided by others (e.g. school work, club-determined projects).

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

The selection, planning, and management of a service learning project and what the member learned during the experience; a school assignment with the addition of an accompanying journal describing the process of developing the display and capturing reflection on learning during completion of the assignment; photo collage capturing the experiences and stages of development of an event planned and facilitated by the member; the “behind the scenes” work, reflection, and application of concepts done by an individual member; lego creation (not a kit) intended to include some deeper thinking and learning that is not encapsulated in any other project, requiring the exhibitor to create their own learning path.

 

Requirements:

Technology

Aquatic Robotics, Computer, Robotics

Limit 4


Exhibit Suggestions:

Built robots; robot programming, robots in action; ROV’s and operation; show the use of robots in Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) education; foundations of computers and explore how computers work for various projects; cyber bullying and prevention; create an educational app; computer-based careers; design computer hardware/software

 

Requirements:

Vegetable, Fruit, and Herb Gardening

Fruit, Herb Gardening, Potatoes, Vegetable Gardening

FRUIT - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Several varieties of the same fruit; proper pruning of fruit trees and explaining the process; uses of fruits (fresh, jams, juices, cooking, baking, salads and recipes); fruits as natural dyes; disease or insects and methods of control.

 

Requirements:

 

HERB GARDENING - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Herb container garden planted in a tub, pot, or planter; ½ cup dried sample of herbs you have raised, harvested, and dried (in an airtight container); information on raising or using herbs

 

POTATOES - Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Potato box, soils, varieties, plant science, pests, nutrition, crossbreeding and hybrids, genetics, mulching, disease control, sun scald.

 

Requirements:

  

VEGETABLE GARDENING - Limit 4

Requirements:

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Veterinary Science

Limit 2


Veterinary Science is a more in-depth project exploration around veterinary science topics. Be prepared to discuss research techniques and source information as part of the project judging.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Technology or industry advancements in veterinary science; diseases of animals focusing on the history, management, prevention, etc.;  different medications focusing on dosage, records, implications of use, impact on the industry; surgical and nonsurgical procedures; careers.

Video/Filmmaking

 Limit 2

Exhibit Suggestions:

Videos; video short; service announcement; how a video camera works; caring for video equipment; computer video creation; video editing; pre-production plans, projected audience, storyboard scripts, etc. for a video.

 

Requirements:

 

Note: This is not a slideshow (see Manipulated Photography for slideshow)

Wildlife Biology & Management

Limit 2


Discover Minnesota's diverse wildlife habitat in prairies, forests, wetlands or your own backyard. Learn about wildlife populations, diversity, what impacts their habitats, and how to become a steward of the land. Activities may include tracking wildlife, building nesting boxes and exploring careers such as wildlife biologist or naturalist.

 

Exhibit Suggestions:

Wild animals of Minnesota-habitat, diet, and shelter needs; wildlife management plan; basic concepts of Wildlife Management (waterfowl wingboards, birdhouse trails, carrying capacity, game animal habitat requirements, history of game management, etc); factors that threaten or endanger animal species; animal extinction; animal shelter or feeder; wildlife encounters; collection of identified wildlife scat (droppings), skulls or skins;  wildlife classification; wildlife landscape habitat plan; animal adaptations, such as animal camouflage; food chain/web of a particular habitat; life cycle of your favorite wild animal; shadow or volunteer at a nature center or park; rules and policies in place to protect or manage certain species of wildlife.

 

Requirements:

Youth Leadership

Limit 2


Exhibit Suggestions:

Your 4-H youth leadership journey, or your leadership in an organization within your school or community; a conference or retreat you attended; personal development plan you have implemented; career and/or college prep portfolio; how you’ve built understanding of self, developed communication skills, learned how to work with others, developed understanding of making decisions, and/or managing and/or working in groups; lesson plan you’ve developed; meeting outline or agenda; participation in leadership programs; share how you have taken the lead on a service project, and what leadership skills you gained through the project.; share how you have served as a mentor and/or teacher to younger youth.

 

Requirements: