# of Entries: One per class
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.
Books – Classes 1-2
- Plants must be mounted on sheets that are no larger than 14" wide x 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.
- Exhibits will be judged based on completeness of plant mount, accuracy of identification, label, neatness and conformity to exhibit requirements.
Each completed mount must have the following information (typed or printed neatly) 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.
Example to attach to your exhibit:
Scientific name: Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash
Common name: Little bluestem
County of collection: Hall County
Collection date: 6 August 2025
Collector’s name: Joe Smith
Personal collection number: 37
Value and Importance: Livestock Forage: High, Wildlife Habitat: High, Wildlife Food: Medium OR Life Span: Perennial OR Season of Growth: Warm Season OR Origin: Native
Weed Science Books, Division 751 Classes
*G751-001 - Weed Identification Book - Each book shall contain a minimum of 15 plant mounts and must include at least two of the following prohibited noxious weeds (Canada thistle, musk thistle, plumeless thistle, salt cedar, 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.
*G751-002 - Life Span Book - Collection of seven perennials, one biennial and seven annual weeds.
Displays – Class 3:
- The purpose of the display is to tell an educational story to viewers. The display is a visual representation (pictures, charts, graphs) no larger than 28" wide by 28" tall 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.
- 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.
- The essay should be in a clear plastic cover with the 4-H member’s name outside.
Weed Science Displays, Division 751 Classes
*G751-003 - 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.
An asterisk* in front of a division/class number indicates the class is State Fair eligible.