Life's Moments: 4-H: Judging and Results

Friday, July 29, 2016

4-H: Judging and Results

Hailey's last three projects were judged on Sunday, the 24th. Entomology 1, Cooking 101, and Horticulture: Vegetable Gardening A. You sign in to each project area to let them know you are there for judging, which began at 2 pm. Each 4-Her meets with the judge to discuss his/her project...what was learned, how the project was constructed, etc. 4-H is the largest educational activity outside of school, so being able to discuss what you have learned is a big component. A placement ribbon is awarded (blue ~ meets all requirements, red ~ meets most requirements, and white ~ meets some requirements) and you are then able to leave when all of your projects are judged. Hailey did a great job explaining her projects to the judges. Their comments on the scoring sheets were, "Very poised and knowledgeable." and "Awesome job!" She received all blue ribbons. On the first day of the fair (Wednesday), you find out if you received any competitive ribbons (Grand Champion ~ best in your project area, Reserve ~ second best in your project area, and Best of Show ~ best over all levels of a project area). Competitive ribbons are difficult to get, especially your first year, and judges do not have to award them. You really have to show you went above and beyond and worked hard. If you receive a competitive ribbon, you also find out on the first day of the fair if your project is selected as a State Fair delegate or alternate (in case the delegate cannot go). We were extremely surprised and very excited on Wednesday to find out that she received a Grand Champion and Best of Show in Entomology and a Reserve Champion in Vegetable Gardening! You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face! She was chosen as a State Fair delegate for Entomology and an alternate for Vegetable Gardening. However, you can only take one project to State, so she is choosing to take Entomology. The State Fair is the middle of August and will be our first time there. We can't wait!

Entomology display. The requirements were to collect 15 or more insects from 4 or more scientific orders, pin them along with identification labels (common name, date collected, location collected, who collected it, etc.), and display them in a protective wooden case. This project was very fun and a lot of work! We had several bugs lose their legs, antennas, etc when trying to pin them or move them (like our beautiful Swallowtail butterfly). It also didn't help that our cat got a couple of them when we accidentally left the lid off of the collection box...one being a Katydid. This project was a family effort...my parents, Brian, Hailey, Clara, and I all collected the bugs, my dad Hailey, and I all pinned and identified the bugs, and Brian made the wooden case. The judge loved that we all helped!

Vegetable Gardening ~ The requirements were to display two different vegetables grown in your garden. The two could not be of the same type (i.e. pickling cucumber and slicing cucumber). Each vegetable had specific plate requirements...the green beans needed 12 uniform pods and the rhubarb needed 3 uniform trimmed stalks. She needed to be knowledgeable about the variety grown and other specifics...when they are planted, when to harvest, etc.

Cooking 101 ~ The requirements were to display 3 cookies, 3 cereal bars, or 1/4 coffee cake (recipes from the project manual) and to attach a one-course menu that included the dessert as well as its recipe. Hailey chose to do Chocoloate Crinkles cookies. The judge asked questions about the ingredients used, how she sifted the flour, etc.

Explaining her Entomology project to the judge.

Judging in progress. Woodworking entries in the foreground.

Ecstatic with the Entomology results! She was the only one to turn in a project for this area, but even though the judge didn't have to award the competitive ribbons, she said she was very impressed with Hailey's display and presentation and felt she completely deserved the ribbons.