County fair is approaching! The final countdown has begun! Everyone in the Wilkin County Extension Office is working hard to prepare for the 2020 Wilkin County Fair! We want this to be a successful fair for every one of our 4-H members and their families. Preparation for the County Fair can be overwhelming, and especially for new families like yourself. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask your 4-H Club Leader or 4-H Staff!

What types of projects can I bring to the fair? The kinds of exhibits you can bring to the county fair are endless! One of the highlights of 4-H is that you can focus your 4-H projects on something that really interests you, something you want to learn more about, or something you’ve never even heard of! Minnesota 4-H lists exhibit ideas in each project area on the Projects & Resources webpage (z.umn.edu/ProjectsAndMore). In addition to those suggestions, each project area leaves the possibilities wide open for you to create exhibits that fit your learning goals and ideas. The suggestions listed are simply ideas to get your brain thinking! While there are still several general rules and guidelines that apply to all projects, including maximum size specifications for posters, displays and floor sized exhibits, you are now able to exhibit almost anything that reflects your learning in your chosen project areas. General rules and guidelines for each of the project areas can be found in the Wilkin County 4-H Premium Book. To obtain a copy, contact the Extension Office.

Sample fair project photos:

Spotlight for New Members Wilkin County 4-H

CONTACT US:

Monique Stelzer

Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development | Wilkin County

505 8th St S, Breckenridge, MN 56520

218-643-5481 (office) | 218-643-1938 (direct)

mstelzer@umn.edu

z.umn.edu/Wilkin4H

facebook.com/Wilkin4H

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APRIL-MAY ISSUE 4 of 6

County fair registration details: Well before the county fair, you will receive an e-mail about county fair exhibit registration. In this notice, you will find county fair registration instructions and a 4-H Premium Book. This email will also cover a variety of other things including information about camping, gate passes, and much more! Please note that the county fair registration carries a deadline with it. County fair entry is a huge work project at the Extension Office, so we ask that you respect this and follow the deadlines. If you have questions, please be sure to ask your Club Leader or 4-H Staff. We are happy to help!

What is the state fair line-up at the county fair? 4-H Members in 3rd grade through one year past high school are judged on the exhibits they register for the county fair (25% on the exhibit quality, 25% on the educational value, and 50% on their knowledge of the project). Judges will award a blue, red or white ribbon for each project at the time of judging. After judging is completed, judges are asked to review all the exhibits and select the top two exhibits to receive the grand and reserve champion placings. Other top placing youth and their exhibits are also brought back for a “State Fair Line-Up.” The youth placed on this list typically have exhibits that the judge feels are worthy of competing at the MN State Fair. The line ups are published for public viewing the day after exhibit judging or shortly after each livestock show, inside the 4-H Exhibit Building at the fairgrounds. 4-H exhibitors are asked to review the lineup and decline or accept any trips they’ve won. This process can be confusing, so we hope that you will ask any 4-H Staff Member about any questions you may have!

Qualifying for the MN State Fair: If you are listed on the State Fair Line Up, you might be eligible for the State Fair! Held at the end of August and ending Labor Day, the Minnesota State Fair is an awesome opportunity for a 4-H’er to experience. However, there is an age requirement to participate—you must have completed the 6th Grade. There may be additional eligibility requirements, depending on your project as well, so be sure to review the rules in the premium book for these details. If you are selected to participate at the Minnesota State Fair, there will be some paperwork you’ll be asked to complete during the State Fair Meeting. This meeting is held during the fair. Your exhibit will need to be brought home following the county fair, refreshed, or altered with any suggestions the judge had for you, and returned to the Extension office by the deadline. 4-H Staff will deliver all exhibits to the state fair prior to the start of the fair (static projects only), and you will participate in conference judging at the state fair, similar to the county fair. Your exhibit will stay on display at the 4-H Building for all 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair.

Helpful Websites: Minnesota 4-H z.umn.edu/MN4H

4-H Online (Enrollment in 4-H) https://mn.4honline.com

Wilkin County 4-H z.umn.edu/Wilkin4H

Wilkin County 4-H Facebook Page facebook.com/wilkin4H

4-H Projects & Resources z.umn.edu/ProjectsAndMore

National 4-H 4-H.org

WILKIN COUNTY 4-H SPOTLIGHT FOR NEW MEMBERS APRIL-MAY

218-643-5481 | mnext-wilkin@umn.edu PAGE 2