Any 4-H’er age 8-18 (before January 1, current year) is eligible to participate in contests except where otherwise noted. Refer to supplemental information available from the Nebraska Extension Office for details on contests.
Division 100: Communication Contest
B100001 Prepared Speech. Age divisions: Junior (Age 8-10) 2-3 minutes; Intermediate (Age 11-13) 3-5 minutes; Senior (Age 14-18) 5-8 minutes. Speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component. 4 H public speakers 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.
B100002 PSA. 60 seconds. Age divisions: Junior 8-10; Intermediate 11-13; Senior 14-18. All PSAs must be the original work of the presenter. The state theme “Ready through 4-H…and beyond” should be incorporated. Must include the following within the last 10 seconds: "Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu." Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used. Must be submitted as a .wav or .mp3 file.
B100003 Impromptu Speech. Age divisions: Junior (ages 8-10) 1.5 minutes; Intermediate (Age 11-13) 3 minutes; Senior (Age 14-18) 5 minutes. At the contest, participants will have 15 minutes to develop a speech on a topic randomly selected for them.
B100004 Video Communication. Use a phone, laptop or tablet to create a 60-90 second multi-media piece around the theme “4-H is a Feeling.” Sound effects, public domain music and graphics may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used. Submit as .mp4 file.
B100005 Illustrated Presentation. A live presentation given by one individual or a team or two. Individual Junior (age 8-10) 3-5 minutes; Intermediate (ages 11-13) and Senior (age 14-18) 6-8 minutes. Junior Team 5-7 minutes; Intermediate and Senior Team, 8-10 minutes. Participants may be penalized for exceeding the time limit. Youth use visual aids (such as props, posters, computer-based visuals, handouts, video, etc.) to show and tell others how to do something. Live animals are not permitted. Judge views the entire presentation and engages in a question-and-answer session following presentation. All 4-H Presentations topics should be related to what the 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), and a conclusion/summary (the “what” portion of the topic). Presenters using computer-based visuals may bring files on a USB drive that is PC formatted. Participants may use their own computer provided they can connect to the TV or projector via HDMI cord. Live animals may be used in the presentation.
*K101001 Clover Kid Recitation (Age 5-7). May read or recite 4-H pledge, poem or short story. Non-competitive ribbon award.
Division 300: Favorite Food Show
*B300050 Display consisting of card table; menu; recipe and sample of one food (from menu) that 4-H’er has made. Use of a theme is recommended. Bring your own card table. Guidelines available at the extension office or at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/central4/4hforms/
Division 400: Culinary Challenge
*F400100 Team Presentation each team of two 4-H’ers(each enrolled in Food & Nutrition)prepares a menu; one food item from the menu containing the challenge ingredient; and a multimedia presentation. Time Limit (including Q&A): 12-15 minutes. The 2025 challenge ingredient is pork. Please keep food safety in mind when selecting a recipe. Creatively include the following items through the multi-media presentation: nutritional facts of their menu; food safety; time management; choice of menu; food preparation; cost of item/per serving; food handling techniques; recipe of the food item shared with the judge; challenge ingredient (nutritional value, farm-to-fork, recipe revision, etc.). For additional details, contact the Extension Office.
Division 600: Shooting Sports
Participants must practice under the supervision of a 4-H shooting sports instructor certified in the appropriate discipline. Contestants are responsible for bringing their own hearing and eye protection, gun (unloaded), ammunition, bow, arrows and ground cover for prone position shooting. Unsafe actions on the part of any shooter will drop the contestant a ribbon placing or result in disqualification. 4-H attire is required for all participants, consisting of any approved 4-H shirt or plain white long-sleeved shirt with 4-H chevron or armband, jeans, and shoes that completely cover the feet. Shoes that have holes, perforations, open tops, backs or sides are not acceptable footwear.
Archery marksmanship is open to archery project members only; must be 4-H age 8 or older.
*F600001 Archery Marksmanship No bow sights allowed. Two age divisions: Juniors (8-11) shoot from 10 yards; Seniors (12 and older) shoot from 20 yards.
*F600002 Unlimited Archery Marksmanship Bow sights and other aids allowed; shoot from 20 yards.
Member may choose BB gun or air rifle or .22 rifle, but not a combination. BB gun and pellet gun marksmanship open to shooting sports project members only. Ten shots from each position (kneeling, sitting, prone) will be fired. Targets will be ten-bull, 5 meter.
*F600005 BB gun marksmanship two divisions: Age 8-9; Age 10 or older.
*F600006 Air rifle marksmanship Air rifles with open sights only.
*F600007 Air rifle unlimited marksmanship Peep or telescopic sights allowed.
Rifle marksmanship is open only to shooting sports project members age 12 or older before January 1 of current year. Prior completion of hunter safety education is encouraged. Five shots from each position (standing, kneeling, prone) will be fired at single bull 50-foot targets and silhouettes.
*F600010 .22 caliber target marksmanship Rifles with open sights only.
*F600011 .22 caliber silhouette marksmanship Rifles with open sights only.
*F600012 .22 caliber unlimited target marksmanship Peep sights or telescopic sights and other shooting aids allowed. Members who enter Unlimited Target may not enter .22 Target.
*F600013 .22 caliber unlimited silhouette marksmanship Peep sights or telescopic sights and other shooting aids allowed. Members who enter Unlimited Silhouette may not enter .22 Silhouette.
Shotgun marksmanship is open to shooting sports project members age 11 or older before January 1 of current year only. Prior completion of hunter safety education is strongly encouraged. Hearing protection is required.
*F600020 Shotgun Marksmanship Two divisions: Beginning and Advanced.