MARCH CONTESTS

Due to all of the crazy weather we've had, the 4-H clubs in Morgan County have not been able to meet for the past few month. Fear not, though! We will be in your classroom during the month of February and contests will resume in March. We've got 2 contests in March, now: Baking and Demonstrations!! These are 2 of our favorite contests, so we hope most of our 4-Hers will participate!

Here are the contest rules:

Baking Contest

The number one rule to remember is that all products must be made by you "from scratch".
This means no mixes are allowed.

Each grade is baking a different item, so make sure you bake the right thing!! The list is below; in parenthesis are suggested varieties

4th: 3 Muffins of any kind (plain, fruit/nut, bran, whole wheat, corn)
5th: 3 Biscuits of any kind (butter, cheddar, cinnamon)
6th: 3 Cookies of any kind (drop, bars or squares, rolled, filled, decorated)
7th: ½ Quick Loaf Bread of any kind or ½ Cake of any kind (layer or sheet)
(frosted or unfrosted, gingerbread, coffee cake, bundt cake, angel food, upside-down cake)
8th: 1 whole Pie of any kind. Crust must be homemade. No frozen crust or mixes
(fruit filling, chiffon, custard, cream, fruit cobbler)

SUGGESTIONS:
•Read and follow all instructions carefully. Measure accurately. Even slight changes can have drastic results.
•Don't start until you are sure all ingredients are available.
•Wash your hands and use only clean utensils and bowls.
•Use a favorite recipe or search the internet. Recipes can also be found on flour & cornmeal bags.
•Mix and bake your bread or other products yourself with a minimum of help and advice from your parents or more experienced cooks. This is your contest - not theirs.
•Practice several times before the contest.
•Clean up the kitchen after you cook. Your family will love you for it and you might get to cook more often!
•Submit one copy of your recipe with your entry in case there are any questions about your ingredients.



Demonstration Contest

4th & 5th Grades: Demonstrations should be 3 to 5 minutes in length and generally “show how” to do something related to the project area. NO LIVE ANIMALS MAY BE USED!

Project for 4th grade (from Explorer 4-H book):
Animals
Plant & Soil
Sports & Recreation
Machines & Tools
Safety & Health
Stitches
My Home
Shopping Tour
Yum & Chops
Nature

Projects for 5th grade:
Animal Science-Beef
Companion Animal
Forestry, Wildlife, & Fisheries
Animal Science-Dairy
Computers & Technology
Horticulture/Garden
Animal Science-Goat
Communications/Public Speaking
Leadership/Personal Development
Animal Science-Horse
Consumer Ed./Economics
Animal Science-Poultry
Electric
Line & Design
Animal Science-Sheep
Engineering/Safety Science
Nutrition, Health, & Fitness
Animal Science-Swine
Entomology
Performing Arts/Recreation
Citizenship
Environmental Sci/Conservation
Photography
Clothing/Textiles
Food Science
Plant Science
Veterinary Medicine

Steps in Giving a Demonstration
Step 1 Planning
A. Choose a subject you are familiar with on one of your 4-H projects.
B. List steps involved in demonstration and outline an explanation to go with steps.
C. Make a list of all materials and equipment needed.
D. Plan your visuals.

Step 2 Preparation
A. Prepare a title poster, supplies list poster, how-to poster and a conclusion poster.
B. Prepare your talk with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
C. Practice giving your talk and demonstration until you are comfortable with it.

Step 3 Presentation
A. Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Be yourself!
B. Smile! Look at your audience whenever possible.
C. Keep your working area neat and clean. Remember to keep all bowls, boxes, etc. to the side of you and “work” in the center. What you have to show and tell is important.
D. Please don’t mention any commercial brands or store names. Give your information source. E. Keep your finished product hidden until you need it.
F. Food demonstrations also need to include nutrition information. Be especially neat, have a clean work surface and cloths to wipe table when finished.
G. Ask for questions. Answer them as well as you can.
H. If you have a finished product, remember to show it. If using posters, finish with the title poster up front.
I. Thank your audience for their attention.


Interactive Exhibit Contest

6th-8th Grades will do an “Interactive Exhibit”, which is a tabletop exhibit (4 feet wide by 2 feet deep). Free standing exhibit boards or posters should be used. Space from the table to the floor may be used. Items may be displayed on the table. The 4-Hers will have a 2-3 minute talk to explain the exhibit. The contestant needs to be prepared to answer questions by the judges. NO LIVE ANIMALS MAY BE USED.

Projects for 6th-8th grades:
Animal Science-Beef
Companion Animal
Forestry, Wildlife, & Fisheries
Animal Science-Dairy
Computers & Technology
Horticulture/Garden
Animal Science-Goat
Communications/Public Speaking
Leadership/Personal Development
Animal Science-Horse
Consumer Ed./Economics
Animal Science-Poultry
Electric
Line & Design
Animal Science-Sheep
Engineering/Safety Science
Nutrition, Health, & Fitness
Animal Science-Swine
Entomology
Performing Arts/Recreation
Citizenship
Environmental Sci/Conservation
Photography
Clothing/Textiles
Food Science
Plant Science
Veterinary Medicine

I. Exhibitor:
Appearance: good posture; dressed appropriately
Voice: understandable, meaningful, vivid, properly pronounced, proper grammar
Projection to Judges: good eye contact; presented with expression and enthusiasm
Oral Explanation: have thoughts together; be able to communicate ideas
Well Organized: ideas center around a central theme in a logical order, easily followed and understood by listeners
Source of Information: accurate and current information
Question: accurately answer questions

II. Exhibit:
General Appearance: pleasing composition
Attractive: poster should be well-balanced and neatly done; must be correct size
Dynamic, Eye-Catching, Original: exhibit should be eye-catching and original, by using a combination of design and style of lettering to catch the viewer’s attention; use a pleasing color combination
Message Told: poster should attract attention and focus interest on the idea; the message should be brief and direct
Creative: poster should convey an original idea