Misc. Ag. Judging

1. Misc. Ag. Judging By: Gary Zoubek Extension Educator York, Nebraska

2. What is Misc. Ag.? • Sue Brown’s definition – (Anything Ag.) • Vet Science, Agronomy, Rockets, Gardening, Electricity, Woodworking, etc.

3. What is Misc. Ag.? • Environmental Education/Earth Science • Forestry • Wildlife • Shooting Sports

4. What is Misc. Ag.? • Plants & Other Sciences • Range Management • Agronomy • Entomology • Veterinary Science • Floriculture • Vegetables, Herbs & Fruits

5. What is Misc. Ag.? • Science & Technology • Aerospace • Computers • Electricity • Small Engines • Restored Vehicles • Woodworking • Welding

6. What is Misc. Ag.? • Other • Cats • Pocket Pets • Posters • Rabbits & Poultry • ?????

7. Utilize score sheets if at all possible! • Most Counties will provide them if they have them. • Visit this site: http://4h.unl.edu/programs/statefair/sfscoresheets.htm

8. http://4h.unl.edu/programs/statefair/sfscoresheets.htm

12. Tools I take when judging woodworking ag. mechanics! Square Pocket Knife Notebook of Score Sheets Tape Measure

13. Vegetable, Herbs & Fruit Judging and Scoring Tips • One of the most fun projects to judge! • Use 4H 226, it includes info like: • No. to Exhibit • Desirable Traits • Tips for harvesting, preparing and keeping fresh • Undesirable Traits

14. Vegetable, Herbs & Fruit Judging and Scoring Tips • An Example Vegetable Exhibiting Tip – Snap Beans • No. to Exhibit - 12 • Desirable Traits – Straight fleshy, tender, well-filled pods of the same length and color. • Tips for harvesting, preparing and keeping fresh – Stems should be attached and trimmed evenly to ¼ inch. Wipe clean but do not wash. • Undesirable Traits – Over-large seeds and toughness indicating the bean is too old.

15. Vegetable, Herbs & Fruit Judging and Scoring Tips • The five major areas to consider are: • Overall Quality • Uniformity • Market Quality • True to Type • Fair Preparation

16. Vegetable, Herbs & Fruit Judging and Scoring Tips Score cards similar to the vegetable and herb one are available for many of the other flower and vegetable exhibits

17. Read the Fairbook for project information • Agronomy or Crop Production Example • Each grain and plant exhibit must be labeled with a 3” x 5” card with exhibitors name and address; proper variety/hybrid identification (and brand name if applicable); plant population and whether dryland or irrigated. • In addition, a two page (maximum) essay must accompany grain and plant exhibits. The essay must include general information including cropping history, selection of variety hybrid, soil type and weather conditions etc.

18. Read the Fairbook for project information • Agronomy or Crop Production Example • Then begin the process of judging the stalks, grain sample, ears of corn or grain sorghum. • Like any judging, look for uniformity, color, health of the crop and free of insect or disease damage. • Is the exhibit properly labeled with a complete story?

19. What I look for when judging ag mechanics or woodworking. • A detailed set of plans. • Did they follow the plans? • Quality of craftsmanship! • Is the project age appropriate?

20. Woodworking -- Units I, II, III Score Sheet • Project Planning…………...25 points • Craftsmanship …………..…30 points • Fasteners…….....………….15 points • Project Appearance…….....30 points

21. When interview judging ag mechanics or woodworking. • Describe the process in building your project. • What did you learn? • What do you like best about your project? • If you could do something over, what would it be? • What are your project plans for next year?

22. Rocket Judging and Scoring Tips Randy Pryor, Extension Educator, Saline County • No pre-manufactured rockets or plastic fins. 4-H rockets require wood fins (for state fair entries). • Use the scoresheet for judging rockets from the 4-H website. An excellent explanation of how a rocket is judged is on the back side of the score sheet. • 25 points flight capability • 25 points workmanship • 10 point appearance • 5 points display appearance • 35 points statement/report

23. Rocket Judging and Scoring Tips (continued) • Flight capabilities….the rocket needs to be ready to fly when exhibited. • Parachute • Nose cone • Fin assembly • Workmanship • Sanding • Gluing • Straightness • Painting • Decals

24. Rocket Judging and Scoring Tips (continued) • Rocket Appearance • Neat & clean showing artistic value • Display Appearance • The display board should provide good support and protect the fins from damage. No larger than 12” x 12” by ¾”. For smaller rockets you can use a smaller base. • Flight Record….the report, protected in a clear plastic cover must include: • Rocket specifications, flight record for each launch, number of launchings, flight pictures, the engines used, what the rocket did in flight and recovery success or failures.

25. Rocket Judging and Scoring Tips (continued) • One final comment • As judges we need to build a rocket to understand how difficult it is to make a really good rocket and appreciate the work, time, effort and expense involved. • The same is also true for many of the other projects that we judge!

26. The same item can be scored differently depending upon the class entered! • For example bird houses – can be entered in the wildlife or woodworking project. • The Scorecards are totally different!

27. Conservation & Wildlife Houses • Is item functional for intended species – proper size, entrance hole size, color, material, durability, access for cleaning. etc……………………..40 points • Information on intended species, placement and maintenance ...................…............. 30 points • Creativity – use of natural material, recycled items, etc….15 pints • Evidence of exhibitors personal field experience, study or observations that relate to the exhibit…......................15 points. Woodworking Units 1, II, III Project Planning…………...25 points Craftsmanship …………..…30 points Fasteners…….....………….15 points Project Appearance…….....30 points Bird House Score Cards Woodworking Conservation & Wildlife

28. State Fair book changes: Aerospace (All classes have been changed) • Rocket height will no longer be given consideration when determining class entries. Class entries will be based on the skill level (2,3 and 4) of the rocket. The skill levels are inclusive with respect to multiple and single stage rockets.

29. State Fair book changes: Electricity (All classes have been changed) • New beginning classes include creating own flashlight, switches, and circuits. The second and third units involve building electronic devices, as well as kits and light comparison. The advanced level concentrates on identification and electronic displays.

30. State Fair book changes: Small Engines (All classes have been changed) • Display/Item projects will now demonstrate more concepts and lessons learned through the project manuals.

31. State Fair book changes: Restored Vehicles (Deleted from 2003 and changed to the following) • In lieu of bringing a tractor, etc. the 4-Her can submit a detailed report explaining the process used to restore or overhaul a vehicle.

32. State Fair book changes: Woodworking (Deleted classes from 2003 and changed to the following) • Each unit has changed to include a woodworking article or display, exemplifying skills used in each unit project guide.

33. As I close…… • I hope you each enjoy evaluating or judging 4-H exhibits! • But more importantly enjoy working with youth the many things that they accomplish. • We must always place the importance on the learning, not the project! • Good Luck with your judging efforts in 2004! • Any questions!