Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs

Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits & Educational Exhibits
Division 773

(Scoresheet SF108) Gardening will be entered on Static Entry Day.  Garden entries will be made at the 4-H booth in the Events Center.  Only vegetables grown in a garden cared for by 4-H members will be eligible to compete in this division.  Exhibits are limited to ONE ENTRY PER EXHIBIT CLASS NUMBER. The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entry cards. Failure to identify the cultivar or variety will drop the entry one ribbon placing. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor, not the Extension staff or office personnel. Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of vegetables will be dropped one ribbon placing. 
Follow the guidelines in “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit” 4H 226 (revised 2022) (Free Download - https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/4h226/2022/pdf/view/4h226-2022.pdf) when preparing entries for the fair. All vegetables will be judged and exhibited according to this guide, with the exception that all vine crops have one inch stems. Tomatoes, musk melon/cantaloupe will be displayed without stems, tomatoes with blossom end up. Judges will determine overall Grand Champion and Reserve Champion to garden exhibitors on exhibit merit from Project Winners.             

Vegetables                                  # to Exhibit
^SFClass 201    Lima Beans            12
^SFClass 202    Snap Beans           12
^SFClass 203    Wax Beans             12
^SFClass 204    Beets                     5
^SFClass 205    Broccoli                  2
^SFClass 206    Brussels Sprouts    12
^SFClass 207    Green Cabbage        2
^SFClass 208    Red Cabbage           2
^SFClass 209    Carrots                   5
^SFClass 210    Cauliflower              2
^SFClass 211    Slicing Cucumbers    2
^SFClass 212    Pickling Cucumbers  5
^SFClass 213    Eggplant                  2
^SFClass 214    Kohlrabi                   5
^SFClass 215    Muskmelon/Cantaloupe    2
^SFClass 216    Okra                        5
^SFClass 217    Yellow Onions           5
^SFClass 218    Red Onions              5
^SFClass 219    White Onions           5
^SFClass 220    Parsnips                  5
^SFClass 221    Bell Peppers             5
^SFClass 222    Sweet (Non-Bell) Peppers    5
^SFClass 223    Jalapeno Peppers     5
^SFClass 224    Hot (Non-Jalapeno) Peppers    5
^SFClass 225    White Potatoes        5
^SFClass 226    Red Potatoes           5
^SFClass 227    Russet Potatoes       5
^SFClass 228    Other Potatoes        5
^SFClass 229    Pumpkin                 2
^SFClass 230    Miniature Pumpkins (Jack Be Little type)    5
^SFClass 231    Radish                     5
^SFClass 232    Rhubarb                  5-tied
^SFClass 233    Rutabaga                 2
^SFClass 234    Green Summer Squash     2
^SFClass 235    Yellow Summer Squash    2
^SFClass 236    White Summer Squash     2
^SFClass 237    Acorn Squash          2
^SFClass 238    Butternut Squash    2
^SFClass 239    Buttercup Squash    2
^SFClass 240    Other Winter Squash       2
^SFClass 241    Sweet Corn (in husks)      5
^SFClass 242    Swiss Chard             5
^SFClass 243    Red Tomatoes (2" or more)    5
^SFClass 244    Roma or Sauce-type    Tomatoes    5
^SFClass 245    Salad Tomatoes (under 2" diameter)  12
^SFClass 246    Yellow Tomatoes (2" or more)  5
^SFClass 247    Turnips                    5
^SFClass 248    Watermelon             2
^SFClass 249    Dry Edible Beans    1 pint
^SFClass 250    Gourds, mixed types       5
^SFClass 251    Gourds, single variety      5
^SFClass 252    Any other vegetable 2, 5 or 12 (do not duplicate entries in classes 201-252) that doesn’t fit in any other class.

^SFClass 255    4-H Vegetable Garden Collection of five kinds of vegetables.  Display Garden Collection in a box not more than 24" in any dimension. Boxes will not be returned. 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 (201-253). Do not duplicate entries in classes 201-253 with any in the group collection.

^SFClass 256    4-H Cultivar Vegetable Collection.  Vegetables entered in the collection are 5 cultivars from a single exhibit; for example, 5 cultivars of all types of peppers or squash or onions or tomatoes, etc. Display in a box not more than 24" in any dimension. Boxes will not be returned. 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 (201-253).

Class 6    Big Onion Contest - one vegetable is all that is required for exhibit.  Entries will be judged according to weight.  Prepare onion using the 4-H Guide 4-H 226 “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit” revised 2022 (Free Download)

Herbs 
Herbs will be judged using the same general criteria used for vegetables. Those grown 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 with foliage removed below the water line to prevent rotting. To hold herb leaves in place it is suggested to use tin 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. Score Sheet SF108.
^SFClass 260    Basil            5
^SFClass 261    Dill (dry)        5
^SFClass 262    Garlic (bulbs)   5
^SFClass 263    Mint             5
^SFClass 264    Oregano       5
^SFClass 265    Parsley         5
^SFClass 266    Sage            5
^SFClass 267    Thyme          5 
^SFClass 268    Any Other Herb    5 (do not duplicate entries in classes 260-267)

^SFClass 269    4-H Herb Garden Display of 5 different cut herbs. Herbs are to be cut not potted. Displayed in a box or other holder not more than 18" 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
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. Score sheet SF108.
^SFClass 280    Strawberries (everbearers)    1 pint
^SFClass 281    Grapes           2 bunches
^SFClass 282    Apples           5
^SFClass 283    Pears             5
^SFClass 284    Wild Plums     1 pint 
^SFClass 285    Other small fruit or berries  1 pint (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)
^SFClass 286    Other fruits OR nuts   5 (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)

Educational Exhibits
^SFClass 290    Garden Promotion Poster (Sccore Sheet SF103) – Individual poster promoting vegetable or herb gardening, size 14” x 22” either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium so long as it is not 3-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. Entry card must be attached to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

^SFClass 291    Educational Vegetable Garden or Herb Garden Poster (Score Sheet SF104) – Prepare a poster 14" x 22" x 2" (3-dimensional if needed) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project the 4-H’er has done or learned about in a 4-H vegetable garden 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.  Entry card must be attached to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member’s name, age, county, and years in project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

^SFClass 292    Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview (Score Sheet SF105) – Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview of someone whose vegetable or herb garden has inspired you. Maximum of 4 pages of text and 2 pages of pictures (include 1 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     

^SFClass 293    Vegetable Seed Display (Score Sheet SF101) – Each display must include seeds representing the following families: Cucurbit, Brassica (cabbage), Solanaceous (nightshade), and Legume (pea) families plus representatives from 5 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" x 24".  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 the Extension office. 

^SFClass 294    World of Vegetables Notebook (Score Sheet 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 telling about a minimum of 5 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 of 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 3-ring notebook.  The 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back cover of the report cover or notebook.

Special Garden Project
Division 775

The Special Garden Project changes annually. More information may be found at 4-H Special Garden Project.
^SFClass 1    Special Garden Project - Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14” X 22” either vertical or horizontal arrangement or in a clear plastic report cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover. Scoresheet SF109

^SFClass 2    Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers, Herbs or Harvested Vegetables – The current years’ Special Garden Project fresh cut flowers, herbs or harvested vegetables should be entered in this class. Refer to classes 1-45 for quantity to exhibit if special garden project is a fresh cut flower. Scoresheet SF106. Refer to classes 201-252 for quantity to exhibit if special garden project is a vegetable. Scoresheet SF108. Flowers and herbs must be cut not potted.