About the Project

Parent involvement

Preparing for the fair

Cloverbud Requirements

• Cloverbuds classes receive participation ribbons.

• Cloverbuds do not need to be LQA&E certified.

• The Minnesota Board of Animal Health requires all animals at exhibitions to have official ID (tag or tattoo) this includes Cloverbuds.  Cloverbud ID information does not need to be included in 4HOnline. 

• Cloverbud entries should be included in county fair pre-registration for stalling/penning purposes.

• Cloverbuds may show their own animal or another 4-H’ers identified animal.

• Cloverbud animal exhibitors follow 4-H dress, health, and safety rules for each species.

• Cloverbuds should use animals that are already being exhibited at the County Fair by a family member if possible, or bring their animals only on show day.

• Cloverbuds using their own animals for poultry or horse will still be required to provide health papers (horse - coggins test/poultry - statement of origin or pollorum test certificate).  

CLOVERBUD LIVESTOCK POLICY - UPDATED 2024: 

When Cloverbuds and animals (including beef, cats, dairy, dogs, goats, horse, llama - alpaca, pets, poultry, rabbit, swine and sheep) are together at a 4-H program or participating at the county fair as a 4-H member, the following rules apply:

• A responsible person1 must be with the cloverbud to guide and monitor their involvement at all times2, including but not limited to movement within and to and from the trailers, barns, wash racks, and show arena. 

• Families may choose one of two acceptable ways to guide and monitor involvement in non-mounted activities:

  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The responsible person1 is in control3 of the animal with the cloverbud at their side.

              2. The cloverbud is in control3 of the animal with the responsible person1 at their side to assist or take control of the animal when needed or as directed by staff, volunteers or show managers.

• When a cloverbud is mounted on a horse, the horse must always have a lead line and be under the control of the responsible person1. 

• Cloverbuds may safely interact with their animal through participation in a limited number of non-competitive classes at 4-H sponsored practice sessions/clinics, fun shows and county fairs. The purpose is to provide youth an opportunity to experience being in the ring with a judge present and to feel the pride that comes with this experience. Appropriate participation includes:

• Cloverbuds may participate with beef, dairy, dog, goats, pets, poultry, rabbits, and swine in a Cloverbud Showmanship Class.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a sheep in two classes:  Cloverbud Showmanship or Cloverbud Lamb Lead.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a llama - alpaca in two classes:  Cloverbud Costume or Cloverbud Showmanship.  

• Cloverbuds may participate with a horse in three classes: Cloverbud Halter/Showmanship, Cloverbud Western Pleasure or Cloverbud Barrels.  If the horse is used in a riding setting, the Cloverbud may sit on the back of the horse with a responsible person1 in control3 of the horse at all times2.  Helmets are required for the Cloverbud in any riding setting.

1  A “responsible person” is defined as a screened adult volunteer, youth leader 6th grade and older, parent or other adult who may appropriately assist with the group.

2 “At all times” includes but is not limited to the following: during all portions of project workshops, club events, club meetings, public showcases which includes county fairs, demonstrations, or a community event where youth are representing 4-H with an animal or interacting with potentially dangerous equipment..  

3 “Control” means assuming responsibility for handling and/or leading the animal. The parent/responsible person must determine the cloverbud’s ability to control the animal in non-mounted activities.. 

Cloverbuds Judging

• The judge will ask you to tell them about your project.
• The judge may also ask you questions about the project and give you ideas for next year’s project.
• You will receive a recognition ribbon for Cloverbuds.

NEW in 2024 ~ Community Impact Recognition

Minnesota 4-H wants to recognize youth who are making a difference in their community and are sharing their story through their project(s) and exhibit(s). Judges at local and state showcases will place a recognition sticker on each exhibit where the 4-H’er clearly articulates how their efforts made a positive community impact.

Exhibits and presentations may demonstrate the youth’s community impact efforts through:

• Direct Service: Involves face-to-face interactions with the people, animals, or environment being served - such as distributing meals or cleaning up a park

• Indirect Service: Involves benefiting a cause or group, but there isn’t direct contact with those that benefit - such as fundraising or knitting blankets

• Advocacy: Involves researching issues of public interest and then encouraging action or promoting awareness - such as promoting mindfulness practices to a school curriculum committee, collecting water quality data for a community organization.

Note: to qualify as “community impact”, the project should primarily benefit someone or something more than you individually, or your family

Cloverbud Projects

• Cloverbud General Exhibits - Any exhibit a regular member can exhibit in that shows something learned in the Cloverbuds project.  Could include an item made, scrapbook, poster, or report.

• Cloverbud Communication – may enter any of the projects in the communication section
• Cloverbud Livestock Demonstration 
• Cloverbud Livestock Posters – Cloverbuds may participate in any of the poster classes for livestock species (registration found under each regular livestock page)
• Cloverbud Beef - calves only 
• Cloverbud Dairy - fall, winter, or spring calves only 4-H’ers who show in this class cannot show in the open class “Youth Division/Dairy Darling Show.” 
• Cloverbud Dairy Goat 
• Cloverbud Poultry 
• Cloverbud Rabbit
• Cloverbud Lamb Lead 
• Cloverbud Swine 
• Cloverbud Dog 
  • • For the Dog Class: All exercises will be performed on leash and will include grooming, feeding, proper care and exercise for dogs, and going for a walk with their dog.  This class will not be basic obedience, allowing Cloverbuds to remain eligible for Beginner classes when they reach the appropriate age. A Cloverbud may repeat this class as long as they are enrolled as a Cloverbud.
• Cloverbud Horse - Classes will be shown on Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m.  Exhibitors may use any horse or pony suitable for a young rider. 
  • • Cloverbud Showmanship at Halter - Judged on the understanding of positioning themselves for showmanship at halter; the judge will ask basic questions about how the 4-H’er cares for his or her horse or pony.

• Cloverbud Lead Line - Judged on basic position in the saddle, hand position, leg position, seat position, and back position. (Lead rope must be attached to the shank of the bit while the rider is showing so the horse is controlled by an adult or 4-H member, age 16+.) The class will walk and trot both directions and horse will be asked to back in the lineup.
• Cloverbud Barrels - Member will be led around the barrels by another party.