Holt County Fair 4-H Section Regulations

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules apply to all departments. Rules that apply specifically to a specific department will be listed under rules for that department. This Fair Book is meant to provide guidelines with the best interest of youth in mind. On occasion, interpretations must be made. Sportsman like conduct is expected by all exhibitors, parents, and other guests on the Holt County Fairgrounds.

Be sure to review State Fair Rules and Regulations if you are attending state fair activities/events as sometimes they are different than the county rules and regulations. If any exhibitor is planning to go to another livestock show or to the State Fair Livestock Show, it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to see that they meet all of that shows requirements.

4-H THIS WE BELIEVE

• 4-H Youth are more important than 4-H projects.
• Learning how to do a project is more important than the project itself.
• 4-H’ers should be their own best exhibit.
• To “Learn by Doing” through a useful work project is fundamental in any sound educational program and characteristic of the 4-H program.
• Generally speaking, there is more than one way good way of doing most things.
• Our job is to teach 4-H members how to think, not what to think.
• A blue ribbon 4-H’er with a red ribbon entry is more desirable than the red ribbon 4-H’er with a blue ribbon entry.

4-H OBJECTIVES

• To provide recognition for achievements.
• To provide new experiences for youth, leaders and staff who participate.
• To provide leadership opportunities for 4-H youth and adults.
• To provide learning awareness opportunities for 4-H youth and adults.
• To provide learning awareness opportunities for the public who visit the 4-H exhibits.
• To add to the public understanding about the full scope of the 4-H program.
• To inspire the adoption of approved practices and new ideas.
• To help build a better Holt County Fair.

NEBRASKA 4-H CODE OF CONDUCT

All 4-H staff, volunteers, members, and parents/guardians should adhere to the Code of Conduct during participation at the Holt County Fair. 

4-H/FFA/CLOVER KID MEMBER ELIGIBILTY

4-H /FFA Age: The age of the youth before January 1 of the current year.

• If your birthday is on January 1, your 4-H age is the age you were on December 31st.
  • If you turn eight (8) on January 1, your 4-H age is seven (7).
  • If you turn nine (9) on January 1, your 4-H age is eight (8).
• 4-H/FFA eligibility is determined based on the 4-H/FFA age. (The age of the member on December 31st of the previous year) 
  • The first year of eligibility for participation in the 4-H Clover Kids program is the 4-H age of five (5).
  • The last year of eligibility for participation in the 4-H Clover Kids program is the 4-H age of seven (7).
  • The first year of eligibility for the regular 4-H program is the 4-H age of eight (8).
  • The last year of eligibility is 4-H/FFA age is eighteen (18).

Clover Kid: Children 5-7 years old are Clover Kid Members. Clover Kids can only show under Clover Kid exhibits (not under 4-H exhibits) and 4-H members can only show under 4-H exhibits (not under Clover Kid exhibits). However, both Clover Kid and 4-H members can show under the Open Class Division. See the Open Class Division Regulations for information on their rules, regulations, and classes.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see the Notice of Nondiscrimination.

AGE DIVISIONS: Ages are as of January 1^st of the current year. Age Divisions for certain projects may be different. See specific project area for more information.

4-H and FFA Exhibiting Together (Static and Livestock) - The exhibitor can show in both 4-H and FFA but the total number of entries per class does not double. All exhibits could be 4-H exhibits; OR all could be FFA exhibits; OR any combination in both 4-H and FFA. 4-H and FFA will show in the same ring at the same time and compete against each other. There will NOT be a 4-H Champion and a FFA Champion, rather a Holt County Fair Champion. The only difference will be the emblem on the T-shirt or other approved shirt the exhibitor is wearing. Premiums will be the same, no matter what organization the exhibitor is exhibiting for.

COUNTY DRESS CODE

Holt County Official Dress Code – Exhibitors will wear blue jeans, white shirt (long sleeve button up shirt or t-shirt) that is long enough to be tucked in with either a 4-H chevron or 4-H armband. A white t-shirt with the 4-H clover printed on the front of the shirt will also be acceptable. FFA exhibitors can wear their Chapter T-Shirts. Hard soled shoes or boots must be worn for all the livestock shows. No hats or other headgear except for western hats or helmets during the horse show - see Horse section for attire. This attire will be the policy for livestock shows and livestock bonus auction. See Shooting Sports section for attire.

Interview Judging on Fair Entry Day - Exhibitors may wear a white shirt (long sleeve button up shirt or t-shirt) that is long enough to be tucked in with either a 4-H chevron or 4-H armband. A white t-shirt with the 4-H clover printed on the front of the shirt, their 4-H Club shirt. FFA exhibitors can wear their Chapter T-Shirts. Jeans and hard soled shoes or boots are not required.

The following competitions do not require a Dress Code: Modeling, Clothing Interview Judging, FCS Judging, Horticulture Judging, Livestock Judging, or Fashion Show.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in loss of premium money and awards. Superintendents and Fair Board members will enforce this policy.

DEADLINE DATES

• March 1 - Holt County 4-H’ers are STRONGLY encouraged to be enrolled in 4-H Online with projects added and 4-H membership dues paid.
• April 1 - All Market Beef and 2nd year bucket calves must be weighed and animal affidavits turned into the extension office.
• June 15- All remaining Livestock/Animals must have been properly identified and animal affidavits turned into the extension office.
• July 6 - All Pre-fair Day Entries Due
• July 21 - Fair Entries Due

*All Livestock/Animals MUST comply with the current Holt County 4-H/FFA Livestock Identification Policy and be properly identified by the above deadlines or that animal will not be allowed to be shown.

EXHIBIT INFORMATION

Exhibits must represent the exhibitor’s OWN WORK accomplished SINCE THE LAST COUNTY FAIR (unless otherwise noted) and specifically done as a 4-H/FFA project. A 4-H OR FFA member who exhibits at other county fairs cannot exhibit the same article or animal at both county fairs.

4-H is “Learning by Doing” -With this in mind, the Holt/Boyd UNL Extension Office urges ALL 4-H members to learn by doing their own work throughout the year. They also recognize that 4-H is a family affair and that at times 4-H’ers need mom’s and dad’s ASSISTANCE. They hope that each family will recognize the times that assistance is needed and the times that the member needs to learn on his or her own.

PREMIUM AMOUNTS

All premiums will be paid by check from the fair board. Exhibits will be judged according to research-based standards that indicate level of performance or quality of work. (If the total premiums exceed the budgeted amount, the Board of Directors, may at their discretion, prorate any, or all of the premiums.) Only exhibits in the premium list will be eligible to receive premiums. In case where on person is competing, the judges will award premiums, as they deem best.

4-H uses the Danish System for Ribbon Awards:

Purple ribbons designate an exhibit of superior quality that has met and exceeded all of the standards - Outstanding. 

Blue ribbons denote an above average exhibit that has met almost all of the standards in a way that surpasses the norm - Good.

Red ribbons indicate average quality and indicate that the exhibit has met the majority of standards in such a way that the benchmark was reached, but not exceeded - Average.

White ribbons signifies below average in quality, and the exhibit has not met the majority of the standards - Below Average.

CHAMPION/RESERVE CHAMPION AWARDS: Exhibit MUST receive a BLUE RIBBON or above to receive a Champion or Reserve Champion award. 

Any exhibitor or parent/guardian attempting to interfere with the judges will be promptly excluded from the competition. Any article or animal fraudulently entered or shown, that wins a premium, if satisfactory proof is shown to the Fair Board; the premium shall not be paid. The superintendent of the area and the Fair Board/Extension Office Staff have the right to excuse any exhibit from the County Fair.

DISCLAIMER OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXHIBITS

4-H/FFA animals and exhibits at the Holt County Fair entered and displayed at the risk of the 4-H/FFA member. University of Nebraska Holt/Boyd County Extension in cooperation with the Holt County Ag Society, accepts animals and exhibits and will exercise due care to protect them. However, the Holt County Ag Society and Extension Office cannot accept responsibility for injury to animals, or for loss or damage of exhibits due to the conditions imposed by large crowds, the arrangement of the buildings in which displays are housed and the great number of exhibits. Exhibitors who have exhibits of great sentimental and/or monetary value should carefully consider whether such exhibits should be exposed to the hazards of the fair. While the greatest possible care will be exercised by the management to protect patrons of the Holt County Ag Society and Extension Office, each individual will be held personally responsible for any injury, loss, or damage.

The Holt County Ag Society and Extension Office will use diligence to avoid any accidents and afford protection. The above associations reserve the right to call off any or all programs on account of bad weather, or any other unavoidable cause.

The 4-H Building will be closed to the public and locked at night.

PROTEST COMMITTEE

The respective superintendent has the authority to make appropriate decisions based on the

4-H/FFA Premium Book. When needed, the Protest Committee Members will meet to act upon concerns.

A. All protests must be submitted to the Secretary of Fair Board during the Fair in writing and signed. Protest will be acted upon immediately if deemed necessary or will be discussed at the first meeting following the fair (date and location to be announced). The Holt County annual meeting of the Board of Directors will be in November.
B. The written protest must be submitted to the Protest Committee and must include Names of persons involved; Nature of concerns; Situation and documentation; Recommendations for correction; Specific action, rule, etc., in question; Additional persons committee may contact for further clarification; and Procedures and/or steps carried out by person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Protest Committee.
C. The committee will review the written protest. They may discuss the situation with affected persons and show officials. Recommendations will be developed, followed, and communicated both verbally and in writing to the group or individual affected.
D. In cases of protest the exhibitor may be allowed to show, but results of showing will be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process. This allows for smooth operation of the show and facilitates appropriate processing.
E. The management reserves the right to withhold premium and/or award. The exhibitor may be excluded from the show if action warrants.
F. Protest will not be accepted after the exhibit is released from the 4-H Division of the County Fair. Protests related to judges’ integrity, decision, placing, or other evaluations will not be accepted.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Please help us keep all fair-goers and participants safe. Please look out for children, vehicles and animals when arriving and leaving the fairgrounds.

If 4-H/FFA members stay overnight at the fairgrounds, they must be supervised by a parent or responsible 4-H Club Leader/FFA Advisor. Improper conduct on the part of exhibitors will not be tolerated. Valid reports of misconduct will eliminate the exhibitor from competition and all premium money will be withheld.

PET POLICY - No dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds except in the camping area on any fair dates other than during the dog show. Pets including but not limited to dogs, cats, and birds are not allowed at or around the food stand, eating areas or picnic tables. Dogs are not allowed in any exhibit building including open barns except Wednesday (they will be allowed in show barn) during the dog show if they are with their exhibitor. Owners are legally responsible for their pets and injury or loss caused by their pets. All guest with pets (dogs) must use areas that are not used for the public to walk to or from fair exhibits, buildings or events for their pet’s waste functions. Pet waste must be picked up by the pet owners immediately and deposited in trash receptacles. Grassy areas, paths, or any common area are not to be used as pet waste areas. Dogs will be on a leash except for the time period they are required to be off leash when participating in the dog show. Pets must be leashed or penned and with the pet owner at all times. Retractable leashes are OK but leashes may have no more than a six (6) foot lead. Dogs must be accompanied by owners and under voice command/control at all times. Noisy and/or vicious pets are prohibited in the fair grounds. Uncontrolled barking, at any time, inside or outside the RV, is prohibited. The Holt County Ag Society is not responsible for injuries to dogs, their owners, or others using the fair grounds. Respect other visitors, both human and canine, by keeping your dog from jumping on or interfering with other people or their pets. Puppies who have not had all of their puppy shots, are not allowed in the fair grounds. Do not allow your dog to dig holes in the fair grounds. Service animals are exempt.

Animals should be prepared for the interactions of crowds. Consider the safety of the public, other animals, and the handler before deciding if your animal is ready to show at the fair. Anticipate that your animal will be approached by adults and children visiting the fair to see the exhibits. Animals should be considered safe for this environment. The individual exhibitor will be responsible for any and all damages including injuries occurring from the loss of control of their animal while it is at the fairgrounds. All animal waste will be picked up and disposed of immediately in all viewing and walking areas. Consider a designated herdsman for your club to make sure visitors are not exposed to animal waste.

DRONE POLICY - Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and fair property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Holt County Agricultural Society (“Fair”) prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, by anyone - including recreational users and hobbyists - without prior written authorization from the Fair. This prohibition includes drones used for any purpose whatsoever, whether filming or videotaping, for commercial or personal purposes, or by media or journalists. This prohibition extends to any drones launched or operated from Fair property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the fairgrounds but flying within Fair boundaries and/or above Fair facilities, both anywhere on the fairgrounds and in the fairground area. If drone use is authorized by Holt County Agricultural Society for an event, such use must be in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, and any other agency rules that apply, as well as those policies separately established by the Fair. The FAA Summary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107) is available at Federal Aviation Administration – Drones. The required authorizations, regulations and rules generally require an application to the FAA, FAA certification, substantial training, and many restrictions covering safety and national security, and other requirements. Fair requirements include filing an application at least 30 days prior to the event, signing an Event License, and providing proof of UAS insurance coverage, among others. Any authorized operation of drones on or above Holt County Agricultural Society property will be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement and/or U.S. Forest Service rules, as well as those policies separately established by the Holt County Agricultural Society, which may include certification requirements, evidence of training completion, insurance coverage documentation, indemnification requirements and waivers or releases of liability. Any violation of this policy may result in any/all of the following: suspension of access privileges to the fairgrounds; confiscation of any prohibited equipment. Violators may also be subject to primary liability for damages; including, but not limited to, damages for trespass, violations of privacy and physical injuries to people and/or property, penalties or other actions that may be taken by any of the other regulatory agencies noted above, as well as legal defense costs.

POLICE REGULATIONS – Fair board members shall have charge of the grounds and it shall be their duty to assign the police force their respective duties including gatekeepers. All persons employed shall be sworn conservators of the peace and it shall be their duty to arrest any person creating any disturbance or violating any rules of the Society. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased and consumed in the designated areas.

STATIC (NON-ANIMAL) EXHIBITS

County Only Exhibits:

IMPORTANT - There is NOT a County Only Section in the Fair book. There will either be a CF or SF in front of every Class Number. 

• CF: means that exhibit is ONLY eligible to be exhibited at the County Fair.
• SF: means that exhibit if CHOSEN at County Fair is eligible to advance to State Fair.

All exhibits eligible for entry at county and state fair are identified by numerical class numbers. Those which are eligible only for the county fair are identified by 900 numbers. Exhibit must be one that fits into the project area. Use manual for ideas. Call the Extension Office if you have questions.

Pre-Entry: All exhibits must be pre-entered online by July 21^st. It is the responsibility of the 4-H’er to enter his/her exhibits in the correct class. The exhibit will be judged and then dropped one ribbon placing if entered in the wrong class. This is most obvious in the vegetables and flowers area.

Number of Entries per Class: There is no limit to the number of exhibits per class unless otherwise stated in this fair book. If entering more than one exhibit in a class, the entries cannot be identical. A pair or set of an exhibit will be considered one entry.

Entry Tags: All static exhibits must have an entry tag attached to that exhibit at the time of entry. Tags are printed by the Extension Office and MUST be attached before exhibit is judged.

Entry & Release of Exhibits: All Static exhibits are entered during interview judging at the fairgrounds on entry day of the fair. All exhibits MUST remain for the entire fair and can be picked up at the exhibit release time. Each 4-H’er is responsible for entering and removing exhibits. Refer to schedule for interview times and release time for static exhibits.

State Fair Eligibility: All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair. Only certain exhibits will be selected for State Fair competition. The number of exhibits allowed by exhibitor and by class are set by State Fair regulations and may change from year to year. 

Project Disaster: On entry day, exhibitor needs to get a project disaster card from the Extension Office staff to attach to the original entry tag. These entries will consist of any exhibit or project youth were planning to bring to the fair but "something" happened to it and it "flopped". During the interview exhibitor needs to be prepared to talk about what went wrong and what they learned (what, how and why). These exhibits are for any project area that failed. The exhibit will remain in the original class allowing the youth to be interviewed by the appropriate judge for that project area. If the project can be exhibited bring it and if not, the youth will just do an interview. “4-H is Learn by Doing”.

Resources: To find the youth and leader resources associated with the project area go to 4-H Curriculum. Use the search box to search by curriculum area. Additional resources that can help you to create successful exhibits can be found at Scoresheets, Forms, and Contest Study Materials.

Large Static Exhibit Displays: Large static exhibits made for outdoors (i.e., lawn & garden furniture & trailers, animal feeding structures, picnic tables, barn quilts) may be displayed outdoors at the discretion of 4-H staff and/or area superintendents if additional display space is needed inside the exhibit hall.

The Extension office CANNOT guarantee transporting large exhibits to and from the Nebraska State Fair. Please speak with an extension staff member before the end of fair.

No Firearms, Items with a Blade: (broad heads, knives, saws, etc.) or related items of any other kind, may be exhibited. This applies to actual items, replicated items and item parts. Shooting Sports accessories are permissible as described in the Conservation, Wildlife and Shooting Sports section of the Fair book.

Use of Copywritten Images: Copyrighted writing, artwork, videos, and images may be used in 4-H educational exhibits under Fair Use for educational purposes of Copyright Law. In order to qualify for Fair Use, 4-H’ers must: 1) only use a small amount of the copy-written work, 2) add new meaning to the work to make it original, 3) rework it and use it in a totally different way, and 4) use it for nonprofit purposes (not to make money). Giving credit to the original creator is also recommended.

STATE FAIR PREMIER 4-H SCIENCE AWARD

Recognize 4-H youth static exhibits incorporating or demonstrating concepts from the areas of 4-H Science (science, technology, engineering, or applied math) at the Nebraska State Fair. Exhibits in all curriculum areas will be considered for the award. Participants may select ONE exhibit from any department which was selected for state fair to complete their awards application about. Premier Science Application, Scoresheet, and Additional Resources.

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