COUNTY ONLY PROJECTS
DEPARTMENT Q - Section 920
SPECIAL PROJECTS, CAMPS, WORKSHOPS
Premium Schedule A
901 Recycled/Upcycled 4-H Ribbons - Create an item using 4-H ribbons or rosettes. Examples, wall hanging, frames, quilts and more. Use your imagination. Item must be made of at least 50% ribbons, your choice for remainder of materials.
902. Special County Project - Current year County Special Project. Enter project based on rules and guidelines for the current year County Special project.
4-H’ers participating in Project Day may exhibit item(s) made at a Project Day, camp or workshop. Maximum of 2 projects may be entered. Participation ribbons only will be awarded.
903. Current Year Project Day Item
904. 2nd Project Day Item
CLUB OFFICER REPORTS
DEPARTMENT Q - Section 900Premium Schedule A
901. Secretary’s Book - Awards based on complete and clear record of minutes, attendance, club activities, etc.
902. News Reporter - Each news reporter may enter a news report exhibit of their own news reports and photos published in the newspaper. Three or more news clippings from daily or weekly newspapers mounted on poster boards 8 ½ inch x 11 inch(1-3 pages). Clippings must be from newspapers dated after October 1 of the previous year. Each clipping must have the name and date of the newspaper in which it appeared. The sheet will contain the name, age, and county of the club member. The news articles may be about any subject related to 4-H clubs and will be judged on news value and style.
903. Club scrapbook.
MISCELLANEOUS
DEPARTMENT Q - Section 910
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This section is only for those projects that do not have an exhibit listed in the previous section- such as Junior Leader, and Community Awareness. This exhibit may include pictures, articles, scrapbook, news clippings or any other means of exhibiting that you choose.
901. Miscellaneous poster
902. Other miscellaneous
903. Individual Project Static Exhibit– An entry that follows the guidelines of an exhibit in this fairbook, but the member is not enrolled in the project. Exhibits must have been completed since the last county fair, this is not designed for food and horticulture exhibits. A statement needs to be attached that includes the project and the class the exhibit/entry fits in, and what the member did to create the project.
904. Group Club Project
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURALLY BASED PROJECTS
Department Q - Section 907
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901. Beading - See page 64 of this book
902. Dream Catcher
903. Native American Shawls
904. Applique Basics
905. Finger Woven Items—Ex. Belts
906. Ribbon Work
907. Other
908. Leather works - Moccasins, belts, etc.
909. Leather works - Other Leather Item
910. Other Native American Culturally based Projects
PRE-FAIR EVENTS
Note General Rule #21 on video submissions.
Video submission is allowed for Speech, Music, & Presentation contest, under extenuating circumstances and with approval from Extension Staff prior to the event. It must be recorded in front of any Extension Staff or 4-H Council members.
4-H PRESENTATIONS
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An Illustrated Presentation is a live presentation with a formal talk where youth will use visual aids (such as props, posters, computer-based visuals, handouts, video, etc.) to show and tell others how to do something. Presentations are given on a stage. Judge views the entire presentation and engages in a question and answer session following presentation.
Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/communication/pce/
Rules:
1. All participants must be 8 years old years old before January 1 of the current year.
2. All classes require the presence of the contestant(s).
3. Participants are required to pay a non-refundable fee of $5 for each participant or $10 for a team of two participants. (STATE FAIR)
4. A team presentation, consisting of two (2) individuals, may be given for any class; there is no separate class for team presentations. 5. Enrollment in the project area in which the participant is making a presentation is not required.
ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATIONS
DEPARTMENT B - SECTION 151
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CLASSES
*113. Illustrated Presentation:
Participant Requirements:
- All participants must have received a purple rating at a county 4-H Presentations contest.
- Youth may only participate in one class within Division 151.
- Length:
Individual: Junior 3-5 minutes, Intermediate/Senior 6-8 minutes
Team: Junior 5-7 Minutes, Intermediate/Senior 8-10 minutes Participants may be penalized if their presentation exceeds the time limits.
Presentation Topic:
- All 4-H Presentations topics should be related to what the 4-H youth is learning through 4-H educational experiences.
- 4-H Presentations should include an introduction (the “why” portion of the topic), a body (the “show and tell” portion of the topic), and a conclusion/summary (the “what” portion of the topic).
Contest Information:
- Presenters using computer-based visuals may bring files on a USB drive that is PC formatted. Participants may also provide their own computer or other equipment as needed; however, participants must be able to connect their computer to a HDMI plug.
- STATE: Due to event location, live animals will not be able to be used in the presentation. Alternative ways of showing information about live animals (models, videos, photos, etc.) are encouraged.
- COUNTY: Please reach out to the County Extension Office to ask before doing a live animal presentation.
VIDEO COMMUNICATION
DEPARTMENT B - SECTION 156
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The video communication contest allows youth to create a multi-media video around a theme related to 4-H. Judges will be evaluating on both the organization of information as well as the audio and video production.
901. Video Communication - Length: 60-90 seconds. Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed. Youth may use a phone, laptop, or tablet to create a multi-media piece around the theme: “Ready through 4-H….and Beyond”. Sound effects, public-domain music, and graphics can be used. Copyrighted materials may not be used. Videos will be submitted electronically as MP4 files along with the registration form
See State Fair book for additional State Fair requirements.
MUSIC CONTEST
DEPARTMENT B - SECTION 155
Individual - Premium Schedule B - Group - Premium Schedule E
(County Competition Only!!!)
A. All participants must be Dakota or Thurston County 4-H members.
B. 4-H member may participate in a maximum of three (3) classes
C. Classes 901-906 must have at least three (3) participants.
D. Length of performance not to exceed 6 minutes.
E.. Accompaniment may be live or professionally recorded. Accompaniment can be provided by an adult or non 4-H member.
F. Please provide you own music stand and tape/CD player if needed.
G. Ribbon will be lowered one placing if above guidelines are not followed.
H. Grand Champion Rosette will be awarded for Best of Show.
CLASSES:
Junior Division (majority of participating group members) 8-12 yrs.
901. Drill or Dance Routine - May be a drill, square or folk dance, tap dance or any routine done as a group. Groups should be prepared to perform on a small stage.
902. Song Group
903. Combo or Band - Group with instruments of their choice, including piano. May include vocalists.
Senior Division (majority of participating group members) 13 & over.
904. Drill or Dance Routines - May be drill, square or folk dance, tap dance or any routine done as a group. Groups should be prepared to perform on a small stage.
905. Song Group
906. Combo or Band - Group with instruments of their choice, including piano. May include vocalists.
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION
909. Individual Vocal
910. Duet Vocal
911. Individual Instrumental
912. Duet Instrumental
913. Individual Dance
914. Duet Dance
DEPARTMENT Q - SECTION 905
PUBLIC SPEAKING/PSA/IMPROMPTU SPEECH
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Through the 4-H Public Speaking Contest, youth have an opportunity to write and prepare a speech, on a topic related to their 4-H experience. The judge will view the speech and evaluate based on the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.
The 4-H Public Speaking Contest helps 4-H members develop skills for communicating about current issues to real audiences, learn how to organize and prepare a speech, develop speech delivery skills, learn how to present themselves to others, and develop self-confidence. Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
- All speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component of the speech.
- 4-H member’s may not use the old speech written by a sibling, another 4-H member, or anyone else.
- Acknowledge the source of information used in the speech. For example, an article from a magazine may be used for reference but should not be quoted directly unless you tell the audience your source.
- The use of visual aids and props is not allowed.
Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effects clothing.
- Contest is divided into Senior, Intermediate, & Junior divisions, this is subject to change based on number of youth entering contest, may be divided into Junior and Senior Division.
CLASSES:
902. Junior Division, age 8-10* (2-3 minutes)
903. Intermediate Division, age 11-13* (3-5 minutes)
904. Senior Division, age 14 & over* (5-8 minutes)
PSA
The Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA contest challenges youth to write and record a 60-second promotional audio recording focused on a yearly theme that could be played on the radio to promote the work of Nebraska 4-H. 4-H members are judged on their overall organization and delivery of the PSA.
905. PSA Division, Junior age 8-10*
906. PSA Division, Int. age 11-13*
907. PSA Division, Senior age 14 & over*
- Length: 60 seconds
- Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
- Youth will prepare a PSA around the theme: “Ready through 4-H….and beyond”
- All radio PSA”s must promote 4-H and be general enough to be used anywhere in Nebraska at any time of the year.
- All 4-H PSA”s must included the following tagline within the last 10 seconds of the PSA: “Learn more about Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu” The tagline is included in the 60-second time limit.
- Sound effect and public-domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used.
- All PSA”s must be the original work of the 4-H member. 4-H member’s may not use PSA”s written and provided by the state or national staff. PSA entries will be submitted electronically in a .wav or.mpe audio format along with the registration form.
IMPROMPTU SPEECH
The Impromptu Speech competition gives youth the opportunity to write and present a speech around a 4-H-related topic that they select during the competition, where they are given 15 minutes to develop and prepare for their presentation. Judges evaluate the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.
908 Junior Division - (ages 8-10) 1 1/2 minutes
909. Intermediate Division - ages 11-13) 3 minutes
910. Senior Division - (ages 14-18) 5 minutes
- Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
- On the day of the contest, participants will have a topic randomly selected for them. Youth will have no more than 15 minutes to develop a speech on the selected topic. Participants will then deliver the speech to judges and audience members.
- Example topic: My Day in 4-H
- Contest is divided into Senior, Intermediate, & Junior divisions, this is subject to change based on number of youth entering contest, may be divided into Junior and Senior Division
- After participating at the county level, up to five (5) contestants in the Intermediate and Senior divisions in both speech and PSA categories will be selected to advance to the state Public Speaking Contest. The State Public Speaking Contest will be held in Lincoln, NE on Wednesday, June 16-17, 2026
FAVORITE FOODS REVUE
Q - SECTION 906
Premium Schedule B
RULES:
1. Do not need to be enrolled in a Foods Project.
2. Select and prepare a favorite recipe (doesn't have to be from project books, but should relate to learnings in project).
3. Plan a menu which includes the favorite food. Write on a 4 inch x 6 inch card.
4. Write recipe on 4 inch x 6 card. Members must do own cards.
5. Prepare a centerpiece and place setting for one on a card table. You must supply your own card table.
6. Display in place by 15 minutes before hour to begin, so the judging may begin promptly.
7. Parents and leaders may assist carrying articles for display but 4-Hers are to set up display themselves.
8. The favorite food may be displayed as the whole product or as one serving.
9. Contest is divided into Senior, Intermediate, Junior, and Clover Kid. Divisions, this is subject to change based on number of youth entering contest, may be divided into Clover Kid, Junior and Senior Division.
10. Ribbon will be dropped one placing if above guidelines are not followed. Each contestant will be interviewed by the judge for about five minutes. Questions will be asked about the favorite food, menu, and centerpiece and place setting.
*Contest is divided into Senior, Intermediate, & Junior divisions, this is subject to change based on number of youth entering contest, may be divided into Junior and Senior Division
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Food Preparation
- Menu Planning
- Meal Management
- Nutrition
- Table Setting
- Food
- Display
CLASSES:
902. Junior (age 8-10)
903. Intermediate (age 11-13)
904. Senior (14 and up)