Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, & Educational Exhibits

An exhibitor may enter a maximum of TEN (10) entries per person in classes 201-286 and 901-902 (vegetables, herbs, fruits) and 290-294 (educational exhibits). Since vegetables, herbs, and fruits are seasonal, youth may substitute and exhibit in any class, however, youth are still limited to 10 exhibits. Exhibits are limited to ONE EXHIBIT PER CLASS NUMBER.  Entries must be the work of the 4-H member.

Notebooks and posters must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair. 

The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entries. Failure to identify the cultivar or variety will lower the entry one ribbon placing. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor. Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of vegetables will be lowered one ribbon placing. In classes 252, 255, 268, 269, 285, and 286 do not duplicate entries from any of the other classes or entry will be lowered one ribbon placing. For example: 4-H members with two cultivars or varieties of red tomatoes can 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. Available at the extension office or free download at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyhorticulture.

 VEGETABLES - Classes 1-56 (Scoresheet SF108)

PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00

Class           Vegetable followed by  Number to Exhibit

G773201     Lima Beans (12)

G773202    Snap Beans (12)

G773203    Wax Beans (12)

G773204    Beets (5)

G773205    Broccoli (2)

G773206    Brussels Sprouts (12)

G773207    Green Cabbage (2)

G773208    Red Cabbage (2)

G773209    Carrots (5)

G773210    Cauliflower (2)

G773211    Slicing Cucumbers (2)

G773212    Pickling Cucumbers (5)

**G773902  Snacking Cucumbers (4)                     

G773213    Eggplant (2)

G773214    Kohlrabi (5)

G773215    Muskmelon/Cantaloupe (2)

G773216    Okra (5)

G773217    Yellow Onions (5)

G773218    Red Onions (5)

G773219    White Onions (5)

G773220    Parsnips (5)

G773221    Bell Peppers (5)

G773222     Sweet (Non-Bell) Peppers (5)

G773223    Jalapeño Peppers (5)

G773224    Hot (Non-Jalapeno) Peppers (5)

G773225    White Potatoes (5)

G773226    Red Potatoes (5)

G773227    Russet Potatoes (5)

G773228    Other Potatoes (5)

G773229    Pumpkin (2)

G773230     Miniature Pumpkins-Jack Be Little (5)

G773231     Radish (5)

G773232    Rhubarb (5)

G773233    Rutabaga (2)

G773234    Green Summer Squash (2)

G773235    Yellow Summer Squash (2)

G773236    White Summer Squash (2)

G773237    Acorn Squash (2)

G773238    Butternut Squash (2)

G773239    Buttercup Squash (2)

G773240    Other Winter Squash (2)

G773241    Sweet Corn (in husks) (5)

G773242    Swiss Chard (5)

G773243    Red Tomatoes (2” or more in diameter) (5)

G773244    Roma or Sauce-type Tomatoes (5)

G773245    Salad Tomatoes (under 2"diameter) (12)

G773246    Yellow Tomatoes (2" or more diameter) (5)

G773247    Turnips (5)

G773248    Watermelon (2)

G773249    Dry Edible Beans (1 pint)

G773250    Gourds, mixed types (5)

G773251    Gourds, single variety (5)

G773252     Any Other Vegetable that doesn’t fit in any other class (do not duplicate entries in classes 201-251) 2, 5, or 12

**G773901   County Only Special Vegetable
                          2, 5, or 12

G773255           4-H Vegetable Garden Collection of Five Kinds of Vegetables (Scoresheet SF108) - 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 (201-252). Do not duplicate entries in classes 201-252 with any in the group collection.

G773256           4-H Cultivar Vegetable Collection (Scoresheet SF108) - 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).

HERBS - Classes 60-69 (Scoresheet SF108)

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 at the State Fair). NO SCREW ON LIDS OR SCREW ON RINGS AND FLATS MAY BE USED. To hold herb leaves in place it is suggested to use foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it or frog lids. Potted herb plants will be disqualified and will not be judged. Containers may not be returned from the State Fair.

PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00

G773260           Basil                5

G773261           Dill (dry)           5

G773262           Garlic (bulbs)   5

G773263           Mint                 5

G773264           Oregano           5

G773265           Parsley             5

G773266           Sage                5

G773267           Thyme              5

G773268           Any Other Herb 5 (do not duplicate entries in classes 260-267)

G773269           4-H Herb Garden Display of Five Different Cut Herbs (Scoresheet SF108) - Herbs are to be cut not potted. Displayed in a box or other 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 – Classes 80-86 (Scoresheet SF108)

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. 

PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00

G773280           Strawberries (everbearing)       1 pint

G773281           Grapes                                     2 bunches                                             

G773282           Apples                                     5

G773283           Pears                                       5

G773284           Wild Plums                              1 pint

G773285           Other small fruit or berries      1 pint (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)

G773286           Other fruits OR nuts                5 (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)

 EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS

G773290           Garden Promotion Poster (Scoresheet SF103) - Individual poster promoting vegetable or herb gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium so long as it is not three-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

G773291           Educational Vegetable or Herb Garden Poster (Scoresheet SF104) - Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (three-dimensional if needed) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project the 4-H member 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. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

G773292           Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview (Scoresheet SF105) - 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. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.

G773293           Vegetable Seed Display (Scoresheet SF101) - Each display must 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. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the display. Information on vegetable family members can be obtained from your Extension office.

G773294           World of Vegetables Notebook (Scoresheet SF102) - 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; tell 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 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 three-ring notebook. The 4-H member's name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover or notebook.

**G773903         County Only Horticulture Exhibit