Watch for state fair checks

For educators and county support staff

In the next few weeks, various checks will be sent out to local 4-H programs and individual 4-H’ers for various State Fair related purposes. Please see below for what you and your 4-H’ers might expect to see.

Checks from the Minnesota State Fair to local 4-H programs:

-          Transportation/premium

o   Like the last few years, the State Fair was not able to offer premiums but could still provide some support back to counties. I hope that all are grateful that the MN State Fair was still able to support 4-H in this way.
It is up to each county to determine how to use/distribute this money. You can choose to divide it up and give out small premiums to the youth, you could use it to offset the cost of transportation (buses, truckers, etc.) or however you see fit. Know that there was no mention of premiums in the State Fair Premium Book again this year, so families should not be expecting a premium.

-          Milk money

o   Money from First District based on milk weights for 4-H’ers that milked dairy cattle and filled out the appropriate form at the State Fair.

Checks from the University of Minnesota to 4-H’ers:

-          Lamb lead

o   Youth that participated in Lamb Lead are receiving a $30 cash award. Top 5 in each division will receive additional money.

-          Llama-alpaca costume contest

o   Youth that participated in the Llama-Alpaca Costume Contest are receiving a $75 cash award. Top 2 in each division will receive additional money.

-          Public presentations

o   Youth that gave a public presentation are receiving a $30 cash award.

-          General project purple ribbon

o   Youth that received a purple ribbon on their general encampment project will receive a $25 cash award.

o   As you talk about these General Project Purple Ribbon awards, please make sure that you are referring to them as cash awards. They are not premiums, but an award that has donors that want to recognize the youth. If your county is interested in supporting these awards, we’d welcome your contributions to put towards next year’s awards (I can also email you the form if you’d like a paper version).

-          Sheep and goats

o   Youth that sent their sheep or goat to market will be receiving their payment. (Our understanding is that the rest of the market checks should have been mailed already.)

If you have questions about the various checks, please let me know..

Amber Greeley
Director of state and county fairs programs