*Denotes entries not eligible for State Fair
All Horticulture/Floriculture shall be pre-entered online by midnight Wednesday, July 15.
*denotes entries not eligible for State Fair
4-H’ers are limited to ONE EXHIBIT PER EXHIBIT CLASS NUMBER. Entries shall be the work of the 4-H member.
Include the cultivar or variety name on all entry cards. If potted container with several cultivar or varieties, identify each individually within the pot. Entries not identified with cultivar or variety will not receive full credit. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor, not the Superintendents or Extension Staff.
For Floriculture, punch hole in the top center of entry tag, use a rubber band to securely attach entry tag to containers.
Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of vegetables or stems will not receive full credit. In classes 23, 45, & 46, do not duplicate entries with the classes listed by using other cultivars or varieties. For example, 4-H’ers with two cultivars or varieties of marigolds may only enter the marigold class and cannot enter the other cultivar or variety in any class. A perennial is defined as a plant of which the crown overwinters. An annual is a plant that grows from seed each season, whether self-seeded or planted by the gardener. A biennial is a plant that germinates, grows, and overwinters as a crown, blooms the following year and dies. Foliage will be considered when exhibit is judged.
Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources may be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhorticulture.
Division 770 – Floriculture Pay Category #7
3-5 stems of cut flowers should be the same cultivar and color, do not mix cultivars and colors. When preparing entries for fair, follow the guidelines in 4-H Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits. Exhibitors may enter a maximum of six classes from the following lists (classes 1-43) with no more than one exhibit per class.
Cut Flower Annuals & Biennials– 5 stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parentheses.
Class 1 Aster
Class 2 Bachelor Buttons
Class 3 Bells of Ireland
Class 4 Browallia
Class 5 Calendula
Class 6 Celosia (crested or plume) (3 stems)
Class 7 Cosmos
Class 8 Dahlia
Class 9 Dianthus
Class 10 Foxglove
Class 11 Gladiolus (3 stems)
Class 12 Gomphrena
Class 13 Hollyhock (3 stems)
Class 14 Marigold
Class 15 Pansy
Class 16 Petunia
Class 17 Salvia
Class 18 Snapdragon
Class 19 Statice
Class 20 Sunflower (under 3 inches diameter—5 stems; 3 inches or more in diameter—3 stems)
Class 21 Vinca
Class 22 Zinnia
Class 23 Other annual or biennial (under 3 inches in diameter—5 stems, 3 inches or more in diameter—3 stems). Do not duplicate entries in classes 1-22.
Cut Flower Perennials–Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parentheses.
Class 30 Achillea/Yarrow
Class 31 Chrysanthemum
Class 32 Coneflower
Class 33 Coreopsis
Class 34 Daisy
Class 35 Gaillardia
Class 36 Helianthus
Class 37 Hydrangea (3 stems)
Class 38 Liatris (3 stems)
Class 39 Lilies (3 stems) (Not Daylilies)
Class 40 Platycodon
Class 41 Rose (3 stems)
Class 42 Rudbeckia/Black-eyed Susan
Class 43 Sedum
Class 44 Statice
Class 45 Any other perennial (Under 3 inches in diameter—5 stems, 3 inches or more in diameter—3 stems). Do not duplicate entries in Classes 30-44.
Class 46 4-H Flower Garden Collection of five different cut flowers. Flowers are to be cut not potted. Each flower in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes 1-45. Display in a box or other holder not more than 18 inches in any dimension. Do not duplicate entries in classes 1-45 with any in the group collection.
Educational Exhibits Pay Category #7
Class 50 Flower Notebook– Exhibit a notebook containing pictures of flowers grown in Nebraska. There shall be at least 10 different species of annuals and/or biennials and 10 different species of perennials hardy to Nebraska. Bulbs may be included in a separate section. 4-H’ers may show more than one cultivar of the same species, but they will only count as one species. The notebook shall be the result of the current year’s work. Pictures from garden catalogs, hand drawn pictures or photographs may be used. Each species/cultivar shall be labeled with the correct common name and scientific name; the height and spread of the plant and the growing conditions (for example: needs full sun and dry sandy soil) the species prefers. In addition to this information, bulbs should also be labeled as spring or summer flowering. Give proper credit by listing the sources of pictures and information used. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) shall be on the back of the notebook.
Class 51 Flower Garden Promotion Poster– Individual poster promoting flower gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be any medium: watercolor, ink, crayon, etc. as long as it is not 3-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. Attach entry card to the upper right-hand corner. List 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) on the back of the poster.
Class 52 Educational Flower Garden Poster– Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (3-dimensional if needed), either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project you have done or learned about in a 4-H flower or houseplant project. One might show a special technique used or equipment incorporated in the garden. Refer to 4-H horticulture project manuals, but use your own creativity. Attach entry card to the upper right-hand corner. List 4-H member's name, age, and years in the project(s) on the back of the poster.
Class 53 Flower Gardening History Interview– Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview of someone whose flower garden has inspired you. Maximum of four pages of text and two pages of pictures (include one picture of the person you interviewed) of their flower garden if the individual is still gardening. Protect with a clear report cover. List 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in project(s) on the back of the report cover.
*Class 54 Annual Flower Display– Containing one to three varieties planted from seed. Include variety, date seed planted, location of planter. Photo display of growth stages and documentation in clear plastic cover should be included with display.
Houseplants
Container Grown Houseplants: The choice of container and soil quality will be considered in judging. Each plant shall be identified by listing the names on the entry tag. Houseplants should be grown in the display container for a minimum of six weeks. Use plants grown as houseplants. NebGuide G2205 “Guide to Growing Houseplants” (http:extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g2205/build/g2205.htm) and Neb Guide G837 “Guide to Selecting Houseplants” (http:extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g837/build/g837.htm) includes a listing of common houseplants. Containers of annual flowers or annual plants are for county exhibit only and will not be considered for State Fair selection. Entries in Classes 60-66 shall have been designed and planted by the 4-H member. Any container plant, (flowering or foliage potted houseplants, dish gardens, fairy or miniature gardens, desert gardens, or terrariums) shall be in containers no larger than 12 inches (use inside opening measurement) in any dimension of length or width. No combination of pots may be used. All potted plants are to be in a one pot container. Any container grown plant in Classes 60 – 66 that does not follow these guidelines will not receive full credit. Classes 60-65 exhibitors shall have and provide a saucer to catch drainage water. List 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in project(s) on the bottom or back of the container and saucer.
Class 60 Flowering Potted Houseplant(s)– that are blooming for exhibition. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label with the name for each plant. Non-blooming plants will not be judged.
Class 61 Foliage Potted Houseplant(s)– one variety of tropical or cacti or succulent plant. Label with the name of plant.
Class 62 Hanging basket– of flowering and/or foliage houseplants. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label with the name for each plant.
Class 63 Dish Garden– an open/shallow container featuring a variety of houseplants excluding cacti and succulents. Label with the name for each plant.
Class 64 Fairy or Miniature Garden– A miniature “scene” contained in an open container and featuring miniature or small, slow growing houseplants. The garden needs to have an imaginative theme and miniature accessories, i.e. bench, fence made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bathtub, etc. Label with the name for each plant.
Class 65 Desert Garden– an open/shallow container featuring a variety of cacti and/or succulents grown as houseplants. Label with the name for each plant.
Class 66 Terrarium– a transparent container, partially or completely enclosed; sealed or unsealed. Label with the name for each plant.
*Class 67 Annual Flowering Potted Plant(s)– (Non-hanging basket) that is blooming for exhibition. Container may have one or more houseplants in container. Label with the name for each plant. Non-blooming plants will not be judged.
*Class 68 Annual Hanging basket– of flowering and/or foliage houseplants. Container may have one or more houseplants in container. Label with the name for each plant.
Division 773 - Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits & Educational Exhibits Pay Category #7
An exhibitor may enter one or up to a maximum of ten different individual entries of vegetables, herbs and fruits from the following lists. (Classes 201-252 and 260-268 and 280-286.) In all classes the number of exhibits is specified after the type.
Exhibits are limited to ONE exhibit per class number regardless of variety/type.
The cultivar or variety name shall be included on all entry cards, to receive full credit. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor not the Extension staff or office personnel. Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of vegetables will not receive full credit. In classes 252, 255, 268, 269, 285 and 286 do not duplicate entries with the classes listed by using other cultivars or varieties. For example: 4-H’ers with two cultivars or varieties of red tomatoes may only enter the red tomatoes class and cannot enter the other cultivar or variety in any other vegetable class.
Follow the guidelines in Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit 4H226 when preparing entries for the fair. At the fair, plates will be provided for the exhibitor.
# to exhibit
Class 201 Lima Beans 12
Class 202 Snap Beans 12
Class 203 Wax Beans 12
Class 204 Beets 5
Class 205 Broccoli 2
Class 206 Brussel Sprouts 12
Class 207 Green Cabbage 2
Class 208 Red Cabbage 2
Class 209 Carrots 5
Class 210 Cauliflower 2
Class 211 Slicing Cucumbers 2
Class 212 Pickling Cucumbers 5
Class 213 Eggplant 2
Class 214 Kohlrabi 5
Class 215 Muskmelon/Cantaloupe 2
Class 216 Okra 5
Class 217 Yellow Onions 5
Class 218 Red Onions 5
Class 219 White Onions 5
Class 220 Parsnips 5
Class 221 Bell Peppers 5
Class 222 Sweet (Non-Bell) Peppers 5
Class 223 Jalapeno Peppers 5
Class 224 Hot (Non-Jalapeno) Peppers 5
Class 225 White Potatoes 5
Class 226 Red Potatoes 5
Class 227 Russet Potatoes 5
Class 228 Other Potatoes 5
Class 229 Pumpkin 2
Class 230 Miniature Pumpkins (Jack Be Little type) 5
Class 231 Radish 5
Class 232 Rhubarb 5
Class 233 Rutabaga 2
Class 234 Green Summer Squash 2
Class 235 Yellow Summer Squash 2
Class 236 White Summer Squash 2
Class 237 Acorn Squash 2
Class 238 Butternut Squash 2
Class 239 Buttercup Squash 2
Class 240 Other Winter Squash 2
Class 241 Sweet Corn (in husks) 5
Class 242 Swiss Chard 5
Class 243 Red Tomatoes (2 inches or more in diameter) 5
Class 244 Roma or Sauce-type tomatoes 5
Class 245 Salad Tomatoes (under 2 inches diameter) 12
Class 246 Yellow Tomatoes (2 inches or more diameter) 5
Class 247 Turnips 5
Class 248 Watermelon 2
Class 249 Dry Edible Beans 1 pint
Class 250 Gourds, mixed types 5
Class 251 Gourds, single variety 5
Class 252 Any other vegetable 2, 5 or 12 (do not duplicate entries in classes 201-251) that doesn’t fit in any other class
Class 255 4-H Vegetable Garden Collection of five kinds of vegetables. Display Garden Collection in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Showmanship will be considered in judging, but plastic grass, cotton, figurines, etc. should not be used in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for individual class. Do not duplicate entries in Classes 201-252 with any in the group collection.
Class 256 4-H Cultivar Vegetable Collection– Vegetables entered in the collection are five cultivars from a single exhibit; for example, five cultivars of all types of peppers or squash or onions or tomatoes, etc. Display in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Showmanship will be considered in judging, but plastic grass, cotton, figurines, etc. should not be used in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for individual class (201-252).
*Class 257 Vegetable/Fruit Creation– Create your own people, animals or objects out of vegetables and/or fruits. The products used to make these creations shall be home grown.
Herbs Pay Category #7
Herbs will be judged using the same general criteria used for vegetables. Those grown mainly for their seed, such as dill and caraway, should be exhibited on a plate. Those grown for their leaves such as basil, parsley, etc. should be exhibited in a CLEAR GLASS CONTAINER of water (no plastic containers). Exhibits not in a clear glass container will not receive full credit. NO SCREW ON LIDS OR SCREW ON RINGS AND FLATS MAY BE USED. To hold herb leaves in place it is suggested to use tin foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it, or frog lids. Containers may not be returned. Potted herb plants will not be judged.
Class 260 Basil 5
Class 261 Dill (dry) 5
Class 262 Garlic (bulbs) 5
Class 263 Mint 5
Class 264 Oregano 5
Class 265 Parsley 5
Class 266 Sage 5
Class 267 Thyme 5
Class 268 Any Other Herb (do not duplicate entries in classes 260-267) 5
Class 269 4-H Herb Garden Display of five different cut herbs. Herbs are to be cut not potted. Display in a box or holder not more than 18 inches in any dimension. Each herb in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes 260-268. Do not duplicate entries in Classes 260-268 with any in the group collection.
Fruits Pay Category #7
Fruits will be judged using the same general criteria used for vegetables. Fruit will be judged for the stage of maturity normal for that season and growing location. Emphasis will be placed on how well fruit approaches market quality.
Class 280 Strawberries (everbearers) 1 pint
Class 281 Grapes 2 bunches
Class 282 Apples 5
Class 283 Pears 5
Class 284 Wild Plums 1 pint
Class 285 Other small fruit or berries 1 pint
(Do not duplicate entries in Classes 280-284)
Class 286 Other fruits OR nuts 5
(Do not duplicate entries in Classes 280-284)
Educational Exhibits Pay Category #7
Class 290 Garden Promotion Poster– Individual poster promoting vegetable or herb gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may use any medium so long as it is not 3-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material such as the “Peanuts” cartoon will not be accepted. Attach entry card to upper right-hand corner. List 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) on the back of the poster.
Class 291 Educational Vegetable or Herb Garden Poster– Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (3-dimensional if needed), either vertical or horizontal arrangement, illustrating a skill or project the 4-H’er has done or learned about in a 4-H vegetable gardening project. One might show a special technique used or equipment incorporated in the garden (e.g. drip irrigation system, composting, or special techniques learned). Refer to 4-H horticulture project manuals, but use your own creativity. Attach entry card to upper right-hand corner. List 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in the project(s) on the back of poster.
Class 292 Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview– Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview of someone whose vegetable or herb garden has inspired you. Maximum of four pages of text and two pages of pictures (include one picture of the person you interviewed) of their garden if the individual is still gardening. Protect with a clear report cover. List 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s) on the back of the report cover.
Class 293 Vegetable Seed Display– Each display shall include seeds representing the following families:
Cucurbit, Brassica (cabbage), Solanaceous (nightshade), and Legume (pea) families, plus representatives from five other families. Group the seeds by family and type. Glue seeds or otherwise fasten clear containers of seeds to a board or poster mat board no larger than 22 inches x 24 inches. Label each group and each individual vegetable type with the common and scientific names. Use only one variety or cultivar of each vegetable, except for beans where several examples of beans may be shown. Attach a card to the back of the display explaining why and how it is important to know which vegetables are related, and cite references on where the scientific name information was found. List 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) on the back of the display. Information on vegetable family members may be obtained from your Extension Office.
Class 294 World of Vegetables Notebook– Choose a favorite foreign cuisine and learn what vegetables and/or herbs are common to it (e.g. Mexican, African, Chinese, Italian, etc.). Include a report describing a minimum of five vegetables and/or herbs from each country chosen. Include the scientific and common names, pictures of the plants from your garden or seed catalogs, explain how they are grown, and how the foods are used. Also list a source for buying the seed or plants. Favorite recipes using some or all of the vegetables described may be included. Give proper credit by listing the source of pictures and information used. Protect in a clear report cover or small 3-ring notebook. List 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) on the back of the report cover or notebook.
Division 775 – Special Garden Project Pay Category #5
Fresh cut flowers, herbs, or harvested vegetables should be entered in the appropriate class listed above.
The 2026 Special Garden Project is focused on Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold.
Class 1 Special Garden Project– Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement, or in a clear plastic report cover. List 4-H member’s name, age, and county on the back of the poster or report cover.
Class 2 Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers, Herbs, or Harvested Vegetables– The current year's Special Garden Project fresh cut flowers, herbs, or harvested vegetables) should be entered in this class. Refer to classes 1-45 for quantity to exhibit if the Special Garden Project is a fresh cut flower. Refer to classes 201-252 for quantity to exhibit if the Special Garden Project is a vegetable. Flowers and herbs shall be cut, not potted.
*Class 3 Container Grown Special Garden Project– Provide a saucer to catch drainage water.
*Class 4 Picture/photograph– Please include a 5 inch x 7 inch photo mounted on an 8 ½ inch x 11 inch poster board with a caption, or an 8 inch x 10 inch photo mounted on a 14 inch x 22 inch poster board with a caption.
*Class 5 Tell a story about your first experience with the Special Garden Project; growing, harvesting, etc. Be sure to include a picture(s)/photograph(s).
*Class 6 Write an essay about what you’ve learned about the Special Garden Project and growing the seeds. Be sure to include things you would change next time and a picture(s)/photograph(s).
*Class 7 Poem– Write a poem about an aspect of the Special Garden Project such as growing, cutting the flowers, harvesting the vegetables, or insects it attracts. The choice is yours! Exhibit in a clear plastic report cover.
*Class 8 Most Unique or Largest Special Garden Project Exhibit– Turn the oddball blooms or plants into a fun exhibit and show off your most unique exhibit.
*Class 9 Choice– Your choice of a project, but be sure it includes something about the Special Garden Project.