What makes something a 4-H project?  Project-based learning!  Project-based learning involves an individual or group of youth acquiring a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems.  In 4-H projects are like an a la carte menu - choose whatever you like and dive into it!  Projects don’t have to be defined groups or created at your 4-H Club meetings.  They can be made at home, at school, in another program, on a trip -- anywhere!  Seriously, anything you do & learn can be made into a 4-H project!

 Think about:

• A project you did at school that you really cared about & want to share with others. Think about how you can spruce it up or even add to it for the Fair!

• A problem you solved at home (leaky faucet, how to display photos, how you trained your crazy pet, etc)

• A community service project you did with your friends or family

• An outdoor adventure or trip you had

4-H judging is not about things, it is about YOU! What matters most are these simple questions:

• What are you interested in? 

• What is something you have always wanted to try? 

• Who are some adult experts you can ask?

To continue to brainstorm, you can:

• Check out these "HOT SHEETS" from Iowa 4-H to get your gears turning

• Browse Pinterest! (seriously, there are some cool ideas in there!)

• Talk to your Club Leaders or a 4-H project leader for ideas!

• Ask your teacher or an expert about a project you could try

• Ask Hennepin 4-H Staff for support! Things they can help you with are:

  • Brainstorming ideas

  • Financially assisting some purchases for your project, such as project binder or trifold poster

  • Schedule a project workshop - do you know someone who can teach 4-H'ers something?!

In 4-H, some healthy competition takes place, but the outcomes of competition are not our goal. The goal is education and providing a valuable showcasing experience! A 4-H’er who participates makes a best effort, and learns and grows from their project learning and judging experience is what we consider successful! The experience that 4‐H’ers gain from completing exhibits and learning about their projects is invaluable. What’s more is how a 4-H’er applies their learning into leadership opportunities. Did they mentor someone? Did they share their learning in other realms beyond 4-H? Did they make a positive impact in a community? We care about all of it - start to finish, and how it applies to real life!

Short answer: Yes, AND... spend time thinking about how you can make it your best work and extend your learning. Can you redo and make it event better? Can you share the project in a bigger way? 

Your learning & experience is the most important part in your 4-H project-- equal parts bloopers & successes. Judges are eager to get to know you, what you learned, who you helped, & what difference it makes in the bigger picture! You also are at creative liberty to go an entirely new route during your project! You're in the "driver's seat" in this case. Read books, ask an expert, do some trial runs, succeed, make mistakes -- it all matters! Document it all along the way. The journey of your learning is just as important as the end product.

Absentee Judging Of General Projects

Eligibility

4-H members who have a conflict with the general project conference judging in their county of membership may be eligible for absentee judging. To be eligible to exhibit a project while being absent from the conference judging process the following must be in place:

• Absence pre-approved with 4-H staff prior to scheduled date of judging (or other county competitive event). The request will be allowed only in extreme situations such as:

  • Death in the family

  • Once in a lifetime educational opportunity

  • Optional event with no flexibility (e.g. wedding of immediate family)

  • Illness/injury

Ways/Means

Best practices for absentee judging of general exhibits follow. Which of these processes will work best within a county may be determined locally.

• Conference judging with judge at a pre-arranged time by cell phone call or other technology-based option (e.g. Skype, Google Hangout. The 4-H family must make arrangements for all connections and technology; staff is not responsible if fairground situation does not allow for connectivity.

• Pre-recorded interview with 4-H member utilizing a standard set of project-based questions. 4-H family must make arrangements for all technology needed; staff is not responsible for technology needed to listen to or view conference judging experience.

• Written story detailing project basis and learning gained. Standard set of project-based questions should be utilized.

For more information, please visit 4-H Competitive Events: Absentee Judging of Projects  or contact Alyssa Woodard for more information

Absolutely. Minnesota 4-H is committed to being a place where all youth can learn and grow. We recognize that not all youth have the same abilities and needs, and we want to make sure that our activities and clubs are accessible to youth. If your youth has special needs, conditions, or requires special accommodations, please let us know. We are committed to offering the best learning experience for all of our youth. 

Please contact Alyssa Woodard at wooda057@umn.edu with any information or accommodations requests that would be helpful for our event team to create a positive experience for your child and family.