DEPARTMENT FIELD CROPS
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The purpose of these exhibits is to demonstrate to the public the benefits from the study and application of crop, weed, range and soil sciences to solving problems in management, conservation, sustainability, and environmental protection. For guidelines on specific projects, refer to appropriate project manuals.
4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. Exhibits will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall. One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00
Grain or Plant Exhibits - Classes 1-5
- A completed Crop Production Worksheet (available at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hagronomy) must accompany grain and plant exhibits or it will automatically be lowered one ribbon placing. The worksheet must include the 4-H member’s name and address, county, plant hybrid or variety, plant population, whether crop production was irrigated or dryland, and general information including farm cropping history, soil type and weather effects.
- The worksheet also must include an economic analysis of the project, listing individual expenses and income, on a per acre basis. Other topics to discuss are the selection of variety or hybrid, impacts of tillage and conservation practices, inputs (fuel, fertilizer, irrigation, labor, pesticides, etc.), any observations made during the growing season, and what you learned from your crops project. The worksheet counts as 50% of the total when judged.
- Worksheet must be the original work of the individual 4-H member or it will be lowered one ribbon placing.
- Attach the worksheet to the entry in a clear plastic cover such that it can be read without removing it from the cover. In addition to the worksheet, grain and plant exhibits will be judged on condition, appearance (i.e. disease and insect damage, grain fill), uniformity (size, shape, color, maturity), and quality of exhibit. Refer to Scoresheet SF264. Grain exhibits must be one gallon per sample. Grain exhibits harvested in the fall (e.g., corn or soybeans) may be from the previous year's project and brought in an appropriate sized box/container for display. Place in a clear container so it can be viewed and displayed.
- Plant exhibits, with the exception of ears of corn, must be the result of the current year's project.
- Corn - 10 ears or 3 stalks (cut at ground level with no roots or soil and bound together)
- Grain Sorghum - 4 stalks (cut at ground level and bound together)
- Soybeans - 6 stalks (cut at ground level and bound together)
- Small grains (oats, barley, wheat, triticale) - sheaf of heads 2” in diameter at top tie with stems about 24" long.
- Other crops (alfalfa, millet, etc.) - sheaf of stems 3” in diameter at top tied with stems cut at ground level or half size small square bale.
FIELD CROPS CLASSES
CLASS G750001 Corn (includes yellow, white, pop, waxy, or any other type)
CLASS G750002 Soybeans
CLASS G750003 Oats
CLASS G750004 Wheat
CLASS G750005 Any other crop (includes grain sorghum, alfalfa, millets, barley, rye, triticale, amaranth, dry beans, sugar beet, mung bean, canola, forage sorghum, safflower, etc)
Displays - Classes 6-10
- The purpose of the display is to tell an educational story to those that view the display.
- The display is a visual representation (pictures, charts, graphs) no larger than 28” x 28” on plywood or poster board.
- The display should be neatly titled. Make sure to label display with 4-H member’s name, address, and county on back side. Explain pictures and graphs clearly and concisely. Consider creativity and neatness.
- Consider creativity and neatness. Each display must have a one-page essay (minimum) explaining why the 4-H member chose the area of display and what they learned from their project. Include any references used.
- The essay should be in a clear plastic cover with the 4-H member’s name outside.
- If a display does not have an essay, it will automatically be lowered one ribbon placing.
CLASS G750006 Crop Production Display - The purpose of this class is to allow original and creative exhibits that contain educational information about crop production aspects, such as crop scouting, alternative crops, pest management, etc.
CLASS G750007 Crop Technology Display - Display information about aspects of technology used in crop production, such as genetic engineering, crop breeding, GPS, yield mapping, computers, etc.
CLASS G750008 Crop End Use Display - Display information about the final product or end uses for a crop, such as food, feed, fuel, or other products (i.e. corn can be processed into livestock feed, ethanol, plastics, etc. or soybeans can be processed into bio-diesel, pet bedding, crayons, oil, etc.). This should not be about the process of crop production, but focus on an end product(s).
CLASS G750009 Water or Soil Display - Display information about water or soils, such as how soils are being used for crop production, range, conservation, wildlife, or wetland use, or ways to protect or conserve water and soil resources.
CLASS G750010 Career Interview Display - The purpose of this class is to allow 4-H members to investigate a career in agronomy. 4-H member should interview one person that works with crops about such topics as, what parts of their job do they enjoy or dislike, why did they choose that career, what was their education, etc. Include a picture of the person interviewed.
SPECIAL AGRONOMY PROJECT
4-H member experiences a crop that is grown, was grown, or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska by growing it, researching traits of that crop and determine viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The crop of the year for 2026 is Popcorn.
Each year seeds will be mailed to extension offices or ag ed classrooms across the state, as ordered by that location. Offices will distribute to 4-H members who have registered for the project in the county office. A different seed will be selected every year. 4-H members will grow seeds in their garden or pots. Written resources materials will be available for youth, in addition to virtual, live, or recorded videos/field trips. 4-H members will be eligible to enter an exhibit at both the county and/or state fair in the agronomy project area.
CLASS G750011 Special Agronomy Project - Educational Exhibit
Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on no larger than 28” x 28” on plywood or poster board. The 4-H member’s name, age, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover. Each display must have a 1/2-page essay (minimum) explaining why the 4-H member chose the area of display and what they learned from their project. Include references used.
CLASS G750012 Special Agronomy Project - Video Presentation - 4-H member designs a multimedia presentation related to the crop. This could include narration of the growing process, presenting facts about the crop or any other innovative multimedia practices. The presentation should be at least two minutes in length and no more than five minutes in length, appropriate graphics, sound and either a video clip, animation or voice over and/or original video clip. Presentations are to be uploaded to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or link on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing.
CLASS G750013 Special Agronomy Project (Freshly Harvested Crop) - Plant exhibits must be the result of the current year's project. Depending on the type of crop selected for the current year:
- Corn - 10 ears or three stalks (cut at ground level with no roots or soil and bound together)
- Grain Sorghum - four stalks (cut at ground level and bound together)
- Soybeans - six stalks (cut at ground level and bound together)
- Small grains (oats, barley, wheat, triticale) - sheaf of heads 2” in diameter at top. Tie with stems about 24” long.
- Other crops (alfalfa, sunflowers, millet, etc.) - sheaf of stems 3” in diameter at top, tied with stems cut at ground level.
Supporting documentation (½ to 1-page in length) should include the following:
- Economic Analysis and/or research that supports feasibility of this crop in Nebraska or how the crop has evolved over time.
- Other topics to discuss are past/current commercial production of this crop. This includes: the selection of variety or hybrid, impacts of tillage and conservation practices, inputs (fuel, fertilizer, irrigation, labor, pesticides, etc.), any observations made during the growing season about this crop and what you learned from your crops project. This ½ to 1-page summary counts as 50% of the total when judged.
In addition to the summary, grain and plant exhibits will be judged on condition, appearance (i.e. disease and insect damage, grain fill), uniformity (size, shape, color, maturity), and quality of exhibit.
DEPARTMENT WEED SCIENCE
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- At least 15 of the specimens must represent this year’s work (after the previous county fair to present day). For assistance identifying plants, participants can use the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains Book.
- 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. Exhibits will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall. One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00
Books - Classes 1-2
A. Plants must be mounted on sheets that are no larger than 14” wide by 14” high. Proper plant mount should include root as well as stem and leaf tissue. Plants should be glued rather than taped and the mounts should be protected with a clear cover.
B. Exhibits will be judged based on completeness of plant mount, accuracy of identification, label, neatness, and conformity to exhibit requirements.
C. Each completed mount must have the following information in the lower right corner of the mounting sheet:
1. Scientific name (in italic or underlined), with authority,
2. Common name,
3. County of collection,
4. Collection date,
5. Collector’s name,
6. Personal collection number, indicating the order that plants were collected in your personal collection,
7. Other information depending on class selected, i.e., noxious, life form. This information should be typed or printed neatly.
CLASS G751001 Weed Identification Book - A collection of a minimum of 15 plant mounts including at least two of the following prohibited noxious weeds (Canada thistle, musk thistle, plumeless thistle, saltcedar, leafy spurge, purple loosestrife, diffuse knapweed, spotted knapweed, Japanese knotweed, Bohemian knotweed, giant knotweed, sericea lespedeza, or phragmites), and at least three weeds that are a problem primarily in lawns.
CLASS G751002 Life Span Book - A collection of 7 perennials, 1 biennial, and 7 annual weeds.
Displays - Class 3
A. The purpose of the display is to tell an educational story to those that view the display. The display is a visual representation (pictures, charts, graphs) no larger than 28” by 28” on plywood or poster board. The display should be neatly titled.
B. Make sure to label display with 4-H member’s name, address, and county on back side. Explain pictures and graphs clearly and concisely.
C. Each display must have a one-page essay explaining why the 4-H member chose the area of display and what they learned from their project. Include references used.
D. The essay should be in a clear plastic cover with the 4-H member’s name outside.
CLASS G751003 Weed Display - The purpose of this class is to allow original and creative exhibits that contain educational information about weeds, such as interesting information about a weed species, the effects of weed control, herbicide resistant weeds, what makes a weed a weed, or uses for weeds.
DEPARTMENT RANGE MANAGEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION:
A. The purpose of this category is to help 4-H'ers identify and collect range plants. In addition, participants will learn the basics of range management, and Nebraska's range. Through the creation of range boards, 4-H'ers will become more proficient in knowledge of Nebraska's range.
B. Each exhibit must be properly identified with Unit and Class.
C. All plant displays and display covers must be the result of the current year's work.
D. Plant identification and lists of appropriate plants in each category (grasses, forbs, shrubs, and grass-like plants) can be found in the Range Judging Handbook and Contest Guide (EC150, Revised July 2024), Common Grasses of Nebraska (EC170), and Common Forbs and Shrubs of Nebraska (EC118).
E. The purpose of these exhibits is to demonstrate to the public the benefits from the study and application of crop, weed, range, and soil sciences to solving problems in management, conservation, sustainability, and environmental protection.
F. For guidelines on specific projects, refer to appropriate project manuals.
G. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. Exhibits will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall. One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00
Books - Classes 1-6
- For books, plants must be mounted on sheets that are no larger than 14” wide by 14” high. Plants should be glued rather than taped and the mounts should be protected with a clear cover. Proper plant mount should include root as well as stem and leaf tissue.
- Exhibits will be judged based on completeness of plant mount, accuracy of identification, labeling, neatness, and conformation to project requirements.
C. Each completed mount must have the following information in the lower right corner of the mounting sheet:
1. Scientific name (in italic or underlined), with authority.
2. Common name.
3. County of collection.
4. Collection date.
5. Collector's name.
6. Personal collection number, indicating order that plants were collected in your personal collection,
7. Other information, depending on class selected, i.e., value and importance, life span, growth season, origin, major types of range plants. This information should be typed or printed neatly.
CLASS D330001 Value and Importance for Livestock Forage and Wildlife Habitat and Food Book - A collection of 12 different plant mounts, with 4 classified as high value, 4 as medium value, and 4 as low value for livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or wildlife food. Value and importance classifications can be found in the Range Judging Handbook and Contest Guide Appendix Table (EC150, Revised July 2024) starting on page 42. Plants can consist of any combination of grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs. Assemble plant mounts in order of high, medium, and low value and importance. Label each plant mount with its value and importance classifications for each of the three areas: Livestock Forage, Wildlife Habitat, Wildlife Food.
CLASS D330002 Life Span Book - A collection of 6 perennial plant mounts and 6 annual plant mounts selected from grasses or forbs.
CLASS D330003 Growth Season Book - A collection of 6 cool-season grass mounts and 6 warm-season grass mounts.
CLASS D330004 Origin Book - A collection of plant mounts of 6 native range grasses and 6 introduced grasses. Introduced grasses are not from North America and often used to seed pastures.
CLASS D330005 Major Types of Range Plants Book - A collection of plant mounts of 3 grasses, 3 forbs, 3 grass-like, and 3 shrubs.
CLASS D330006 Range Plant Collection Book - A collection of 12 range plant mounts with something in common (i.e. poisonous to cattle, or historically used as food by Native Americans, or dye plants, or favorite antelope forage, etc.). Include a short paragraph at the front of the book which describes what the plants have in common and why you have chosen to collect them.
Displays - Class 7
A. The purpose of the display is to tell an educational story to those that view the display. The display is a visual representation (pictures, charts, graphs) no larger than 28” by 28” on plywood or poster board. The display should be neatly titled. Make sure to label display with exhibitor’s name, address, and county on back side.
CLASS D330007 - Parts of a Range Plant Poster - Mount a range plant on a poster board. Label the key plant parts useful for ID & correct for that plant species such as root, branch, cotyledon, petiole, midrib, stem, node, leaf, leaflet, spikelet, collar, ligule, sheath, internode, culm, crown, flower, etc. Include the plant label in the lower right corner, including the scientific and common name of the plant. 4-H member name and 4-H county should be back of the poster.
Boards - Classes 8-9
A. Boards should be should no larger than 30” wide by 36” tall. Boards should be adequately labeled.
CLASS D330008 Special Study Board - A display of the results of a clipping study, a degree of use study, range site study, etc. A short essay must accompany the display to explain the reason for the study, what was learned, and study results. This should be placed in a sheet cover attached to the board.
CLASS D330009 Junior Rancher Board - This exhibit should include a ranch map with a record book or an appropriate educational display on some phase of rangeland or livestock management. A short essay must accompany the display to explain the purpose of the rancher board, what was learned, etc.