Promote the Olmsted County 4-H horse judging contest

For everyone

The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project invites youth and teams to participate in our horse judging competition at the Olmsted County Fair, Graham Park on Wednesday, July 29. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. 

4-H and FFA youth (or other youth interested in competing) will have the opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team of up to five people. Awards for placings in halter and performance will be given for individuals and teams. There will not be a reasons competition. Instead, there will be a reasons clinic while the results are being calculated. Cost is $15 per individual or $50 per team.

Registration deadline: July 26.

• See the informational flyer.
• Register.

For questions, please connect with Olmsted County 4-H Extension staff at mnext-olmsted@umn.edu or call the Olmsted County Extension office at 507-328-6214.

Megan Wilson

Extension educator

Use new vegetable judging reference

For everyone

We're excited to introduce the new 4-H vegetable judging reference guide—a hands-on resource designed to help youth develop confidence and skill in evaluating vegetable quality like true horticulture professionals. Filled with practical judging tips and easy-to-understand standards, the guide teaches participants how to evaluate size, shape, color, maturity, and overall quality across a variety of vegetable crops. Preparing for a county fair, judging youth will gain valuable skills in observation, decision-making, and communication. This updated guide modernizes and replaces outdated vegetable judging materials while serving as a valuable resource for youth, volunteers, coaches, and fair judges alike. The vegetable judging reference guide is intended to be used not only for participant preparation, but also as a consistent reference for judges’ books and evaluation standards at local and regional events. As a shared, up-to-date resource, the guide helps strengthen consistency, learning, and enthusiasm for plant science and agricultural education across the 4-H program.

Brian McNeill
4-H STEM and agriscience Director

Promote the Olmsted County 4-H horse judging contest

For everyone

The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project invites youth and teams to participate in our horse judging competition at the Olmsted County Fair, Graham Park on Wednesday, July 29. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. 

4-H and FFA youth (or other youth interested in competing) will have the opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team of up to five people. Awards for placings in halter and performance will be given for individuals and teams. There will not be a reasons competition. Instead, there will be a reasons clinic while the results are being calculated. Cost is $15 per individual or $50 per team.

Registration deadline: July 26.

• See the informational flyer.
• Register.

For questions, please connect with Olmsted County 4-H Extension staff at mnext-olmsted@umn.edu or call the Olmsted County Extension office at 507-328-6214.

Megan Wilson

Extension educator

Invite judges to support Explore 4-H programs

For local educators and county support staff

4-H judges have a passion for helping youth learn and grow through 4-H experiences. Many also have short-term availability to be further involved. This makes some of your 4-H judges a perfect candidate to help lead or support Explore 4-H programs.

To engage these potential volunteers, we’ve compiled two materials that we invite you to use during your summer showcase.

1. Share the Explore 4-H volunteer invitation flyer with judges by placing them inside judges boxes or distributing them at the conclusion of their judging session. This flyer will be updated as new Explore 4-H programs are added to our library.
2. Follow up after the county fair by sending judges an invitation letter. You may want to coordinate this letter to be sent alongside any other materials judges may receive (fairboard checks, etc.).

Regional volunteer systems educators will work with anyone who expresses interest to help them connect with a volunteer role that matches their interests with program needs. 

These resources can be used in a variety of ways, and we encourage you to think creatively about where else you may be able to distribute them to expand your volunteer network!

Jeremy Freeman
4-H volunteer systems director

Use new vegetable judging reference

For everyone

We're excited to introduce the new 4-H vegetable judging reference guide—a hands-on resource designed to help youth develop confidence and skill in evaluating vegetable quality like true horticulture professionals. Filled with practical judging tips and easy-to-understand standards, the guide teaches participants how to evaluate size, shape, color, maturity, and overall quality across a variety of vegetable crops. Preparing for a county fair, judging youth will gain valuable skills in observation, decision-making, and communication. This updated guide modernizes and replaces outdated vegetable judging materials while serving as a valuable resource for youth, volunteers, coaches, and fair judges alike. The vegetable judging reference guide is intended to be used not only for participant preparation, but also as a consistent reference for judges’ books and evaluation standards at local and regional events. As a shared, up-to-date resource, the guide helps strengthen consistency, learning, and enthusiasm for plant science and agricultural education across the 4-H program.

Brian McNeill
4-H STEM and agriscience Director

Promote the Olmsted County 4-H horse judging contest

For everyone

The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project invites youth and teams to participate in our horse judging competition at the Olmsted County Fair, Graham Park on Wednesday, July 29. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. 

4-H and FFA youth (or other youth interested in competing) will have the opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team of up to five people. Awards for placings in halter and performance will be given for individuals and teams. There will not be a reasons competition. Instead, there will be a reasons clinic while the results are being calculated. Cost is $15 per individual or $50 per team.

Registration deadline: July 26.

• See the informational flyer.
• Register.

For questions, please connect with Olmsted County 4-H Extension staff at mnext-olmsted@umn.edu or call the Olmsted County Extension office at 507-328-6214.

Megan Wilson

Extension educator

Use new vegetable judging reference

For everyone

We're excited to introduce the new 4-H vegetable judging reference guide—a hands-on resource designed to help youth develop confidence and skill in evaluating vegetable quality like true horticulture professionals. Filled with practical judging tips and easy-to-understand standards, the guide teaches participants how to evaluate size, shape, color, maturity, and overall quality across a variety of vegetable crops. Preparing for a county fair, judging youth will gain valuable skills in observation, decision-making, and communication. This updated guide modernizes and replaces outdated vegetable judging materials while serving as a valuable resource for youth, volunteers, coaches, and fair judges alike. The vegetable judging reference guide is intended to be used not only for participant preparation, but also as a consistent reference for judges’ books and evaluation standards at local and regional events. As a shared, up-to-date resource, the guide helps strengthen consistency, learning, and enthusiasm for plant science and agricultural education across the 4-H program.

Brian McNeill
4-H STEM and agriscience Director

Promote the Olmsted County 4-H horse judging contest

For everyone

The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project invites youth and teams to participate in our horse judging competition at the Olmsted County Fair, Graham Park on Wednesday, July 29. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. 

4-H and FFA youth (or other youth interested in competing) will have the opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team of up to five people. Awards for placings in halter and performance will be given for individuals and teams. There will not be a reasons competition. Instead, there will be a reasons clinic while the results are being calculated. Cost is $15 per individual or $50 per team.

Registration deadline: July 26.

• See the informational flyer.
• Register.

For questions, please connect with Olmsted County 4-H Extension staff at mnext-olmsted@umn.edu or call the Olmsted County Extension office at 507-328-6214.

Megan Wilson

Extension educator

2026 southwest regional 4-H livestock judging contest

For everyone

Murray County 4-H would like to invite you to join us on Wednesday, June 17 for the annual southwest regional 4-H livestock judging contest! Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the contest will begin promptly at 9 a.m., ending around 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided to contestants, judges, and volunteers. 

The event will be held at the Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton. Cost is $20 per individual and $50 per team.

Use this promotional toolkit to help promote the event to your 4-H families!

Registration deadline: Friday, June 12

Register.

*This event is for practice only and not a qualifying event for a regional/state competition.

Mallory Vos

Principal office & administrative specialist

Promote livestock judging camp June 15 - 17

For educators, county and regional support staff

Do you have youth in your 4-H program that would like to learn more about livestock evaluation? Do you have young members on a general livestock judging team who need help with structuring, completing, and presenting a set of oral reasons? Are you interested in starting a livestock judging team in your county? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging camp is an event they should participate in!

Presented by the University of Minnesota livestock judging team and coach Kyle Rozeboom, youth will learn the fundamentals of judging and evaluation, receive instruction with oral reasons, and become more confident with livestock judging.

Camp will be held June 15 - 17 on the St. Paul campus.

Learn more and register.

Sharon Davis

Extension educator and animal science director

Promote livestock judging camp June 15 - 17

For educators, county and regional support staff

Do you have youth in your 4-H program that would like to learn more about livestock evaluation? Do you have young members on a general livestock judging team who need help with structuring, completing, and presenting a set of oral reasons? Are you interested in starting a livestock judging team in your county? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging camp is an event they should participate in!

Presented by the University of Minnesota livestock judging team and coach Kyle Rozeboom, youth will learn the fundamentals of judging and evaluation, receive instruction with oral reasons, and become more confident with livestock judging.

Camp will be held June 15 - 17 on the St. Paul campus.

Learn more and register.

Sharon Davis

Extension educator and animal science director

Judges database: 2025 and 2026

For local educators and county support staff

2025 judges - One of the strengths of the 4-H judges database is providing data about which fairs each of the judges have judged in. County staff who haven't yet recorded their 2025 judges can learn more, starting on the bottom of page 20 of this user guide. Staff can also simply upload their lists of 2025 judges via this Qualtrics form.

2026 judges - The 4-H judges database is an essential collaborative tool when inviting judges to your county fair. Find new judges and make sure that all judges you're inviting are still judging. Along the way, share updated availability and contact information for judges.

• See three quick start options on pages 3-4 of the user guide.
• Request a list of judges for your county and for specific project area(s).
• Learn more about the judges database.

Todd Mehrkens

Academic technologist

Add your county fair judging engagement data

For educators and county support staff

As you work on post county fair tasks, be sure to record your 2025 judges in the 4-H Judges Database. 

Instructions for updating judging engagement data can be found on the bottom of page 20 of the user guide. Staff can also submit their lists of 2025 judges via this Qualtrics form.

Thank you!

Todd Mehrkens

Academic technologist

Promote Minnesota 4-H livestock judging day camps

For educators, county and regional support staff

Do you have youth that are curious about livestock judging? This summer, help them take their 4-H experience to the next level by joining one of the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging day camps! 

These hands-on camps focus on the evaluation of beef, meat goats, sheep and swine—an essential skill to enhance livestock project knowledge. Whether they are new to judging or want to sharpen their skills, the camps will cover the fundamentals of evaluation, key judging terms, judging logistics and more. These day camps are a fun and educational way to boost confidence and understanding of animal selection. 

Camps will be held at three locations. All camps will cover the same information, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and are open to youth in grades 6-12. 

• May 31: Fertile, Polk County Fairgrounds.
• June 13: St. Peter, Nicollet County Fairgrounds.
• June 24: Alexandria, Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Registration is through 4-H Online.

Sharon Davis

Extension educator and animal science director

Calling all present and future 4-H plant science judges!

For everyone

Join us for a live, interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Are you interested in being a 4-H judge for plant science project areas? You’re in luck! Here’s your chance to refresh your judging skills, learn something new, and ask your burning questions—all in one interactive session. During this live webinar, you’ll get to experience a mock plant science judging with real 4-H youth presenting their projects.

This is the perfect opportunity for:

• New or returning judges looking to sharpen their skills.
• Volunteers or staff supporting county fairs.
• Anyone curious about how plant science judging works in 4-H.

Even if you can’t join us live, that’s okay! Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording - just be sure to let us know you’d like it.

Do you know someone who would be a great plant science judge? Please share this opportunity with them - we’d love to have more people join our growing network of 4-H judges!

Register.

Anja Johnson
Extension educator

Promote MN 4-H livestock judging day camps

For educators and support staff

Do you have youth that are curious about livestock judging? This summer, help them take their 4-H experience to the next level by joining one of the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging day camps! 

These hands-on camps focus on the evaluation of beef, meat goats, sheep and swine—an essential skill to enhance livestock project knowledge. Whether they are new to judging or want to sharpen their skills, the camps will cover the fundamentals of evaluation, key judging terms, judging logistics and more. These day camps are a fun and educational way to boost confidence and understanding of animal selection. 

Camps will be held at three locations. All camps will cover the same information and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open to youth in grades 6-12. 

• May 31 in Fertile at the Polk County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingFertile) 
• June 13 in St. Peter at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingStPeter)
• June 24 in Alexandria at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingAlexandria)

Registration is through 4-H Online.

Sharon Davis

Extension educator and animal science director

Calling all present and future 4-H plant science judges!

For everyone

Join us for a live, interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Are you interested in being a 4-H judge for plant science project areas? You’re in luck! Here’s your chance to refresh your judging skills, learn something new, and ask your burning questions—all in one interactive session. During this live webinar, you’ll get to experience a mock plant science judging with real 4-H youth presenting their projects.

This is the perfect opportunity for:

• New or returning judges looking to sharpen their skills.
• Volunteers or staff supporting county fairs.
• Anyone curious about how plant science judging works in 4-H.

Even if you can’t join us live, that’s okay! Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording - just be sure to let us know you’d like it.

Do you know someone who would be a great plant science judge? Please share this opportunity with them - we’d love to have more people join our growing network of 4-H judges!

Register.

Anja Johnson
Extension educator

Calling all present and future 4-H plant science judges!

For everyone

Join us for a live, interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Are you interested in being a 4-H judge for plant science project areas? You’re in luck! Here’s your chance to refresh your judging skills, learn something new, and ask your burning questions—all in one interactive session. During this live webinar, you’ll get to experience a mock plant science judging with real 4-H youth presenting their projects.

This is the perfect opportunity for:

• New or returning judges looking to sharpen their skills.
• Volunteers or staff supporting county fairs.
• Anyone curious about how plant science judging works in 4-H.

Even if you can’t join us live, that’s okay! Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording - just be sure to let us know you’d like it.

Do you know someone who would be a great plant science judge? Please share this opportunity with them - we’d love to have more people join our growing network of 4-H judges!

Register.

Anja Johnson
Extension educator

Inviting county fair judges

For all staff who work with a county fair

Exhibit judging during 4-H showcases at county fairs is an important part of a 4-H member’s learning. Remember to invite judges to guide 4-H’ers in completing their learning process, based on their ability to work with youth, their experience, and their content knowledge in project areas. If you need help identifying potential judges, the judges database contains judge availability, status, and contact info along with project areas and experience ratings. Before sending out your invites, please double check the database to ensure you’re not inviting judges that are on the “do not hire” list or are marked as “no longer judging” due to retirement, death, moving out of state, or for other reasons.

New this year, you can use this Qualtrics form to request a customized judges list for your county and/or submit your 2024 judges lists to have them recorded for you.

The county fair planning tools include a template invitation. Here are some efficient ways to collect responses from prospective judges: 

• Provide a link to a Google Form. 
• Respond directly to an email invitation.
• Use a fillable form that can be emailed.
• General project judge request procedure example from Meeker County.

It’s key to invite individuals to judge projects connected to their area of expertise. Using an online process that allows folks to choose any project area to judge may seem efficient but leaves too much to chance in placing county fair judges; do not invite judges this way. If judges have been requested this year using a free-choice process, carefully review those who signed up to ensure a lineup of qualified judges to give your 4-H’ers the optimal judging experience. 

Thank you for your commitment to secure qualified, skilled and knowledgeable judges to guide 4-H’ers in their learning process. If you have questions about selecting judges or need help with your judges list, contact me or check in with your regional team. Send questions about finding judges in the 4-H database to Todd Mehrkens.

Amber Greeley

Director of state and county fairs programs

Calling all present and future 4-H plant science judges!

For everyone

Join us for a live, interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 21 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Are you interested in being a 4-H judge for plant science project areas? You’re in luck! Here’s your chance to refresh your judging skills, learn something new, and ask your burning questions—all in one interactive session. During this live webinar, you’ll get to experience a mock plant science judging with real 4-H youth presenting their projects.

This is the perfect opportunity for:

• New or returning judges looking to sharpen their skills.
• Volunteers or staff supporting county fairs.
• Anyone curious about how plant science judging works in 4-H.

Even if you can’t join us live, that’s okay! Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording - just be sure to let us know you’d like it.

Do you know someone who would be a great plant science judge? Please share this opportunity with them - we’d love to have more people join our growing network of 4-H judges!

Register.

Anja Johnson
Extension educator