4-H At the Minnesota State Fair

Projects can be dropped off at the Redwood County Government Center in the 4-H Extension Office between 8 am - 4:30 pm at 403 South Mill Street, Redwood Falls MN 56283. Alternative day/time available if needed. Contact the 4-H Office to make pre-arrangements.

• including virtual judging projects
• spoiled or easily denatured projects that include fresh items should be brought with you the day of your judging. Your project binders still need to be dropped off by Aug 20.
• All binders should be dropped off with your project. It is okay to update binders with county fair information.
• Remember to label your projects with your name and county
• It is okay to fix up your project displays - especially project board where tape and glues may need to be refreshed.
• Please package your projects to protect them for transit.

General Project Encampment 3:

• September 3-5, 2026
• Good Luck y'all! I know each of you will do a fabulous job!!
• If you get stuck or lost the 4-H superintendent office is on the main floor of the 4-H building they will be great. Also, the MN 4-H Ambassadors are on the main floor in the entry and they too will be fabulous help and work to get your questions answered!!

September 3 - no one signed up for county provided transportation

September 4 - county transportation provided. Van w/driver provided. See below for details

September 5 - no one signed up for county provided transportation

September 4th Plan:

• Depart Redwood Falls Government Center: 6:00 am
• Arrive MN State Fairgrounds: 8:15 am
• Judging and exploring the fair
• Leave MN State Fairgrounds no later than: 10 pm
• Arrive Redwood Falls Government Center: 12:15 pm - we will call/message when leaving the fairgrounds.

Exhibitors may adjust their project based on the county fair judges recommendations. This link will provide additional information on getting your project ready.

ID your stuff! - Labeling:

• Remember to label your project with your name and county. This helps us to identify projects when we come to pick them up and bring the projects back to the county.
• If you are exhibiting a poster or book remember to include your resources, patterns, budgets, nutritional analysis.
• Put your name, county, and club on your projects out of sight for the public but securly somewhere on your project. If it gets forgotten or in the wrong counties pile of things to go back home it helps to find it

Clothing, Textiles, Quilting

• Remember all quilts require tags that identifies pattern name and source, fiber content of fabric & batting, and care instructions. This information should be in your binder as well.

Projects that spoil or denature quickly:

• Floral projects, cut flowers, and foods projects are projects exhibitors should be bringing with them.
• Project books should be sent with the county projects and prepared for your arrival.

Virtual Project Judging:

• Virtual projects should be sent with the county projects and will be used by the judge for your online judging experience.
• Virtual exhibitors need to complete a Z-Link

Arrival:

• Plan to arrive in time to allow yourself time to park, travel to the 4-H building, and attend the orientation meeting.
• The orientation meeting will provide you with more details regarding the plan for the day and give you a judging appointment time range. This is a must to attend.
• Orientation for general projects will take place on the second-floor stage prior to each judging session.

Exhibit Judging

Exhibit judging at the state fair consists of a group judging experience where you share your project with the judge and other 4-H’ers in a group setting.

Exhibitors please:

• Take note of your judging times and allow yourself plenty of time.
• Plan to be available during the duration of your judging time slot.
• Read the 4-H state fair general premium book carefully for general regulations and project-specific activities and requirements.

Conference judging is part of this judging experience.

• This means exhibitors will meet with the judge and other youth exhibiting in the same project area. You could be judging with 1-5 other youth.
• Active listening will be important during your session.
• Prepare yourself with questions you may be able to ask others regarding their projects, methods to include others in the conversation, and methods to get yourself into the conversation.

You know your stuff regarding your projects and project areas. Communicate that and you will do great!

Participants must understand appropriate cell phone and other device use. There are certain times when these devices should not be used, such as:

• During any judging activity. Participants need to respect other 4-H’ers by turning off all cell phones to avoid disturbance. It will also be recommended to the parents and general public to avoid those disturbances.
• In the dorm after lights out hours. This includes talking on the phone, text messaging, social media and games.
• During any shows or presentations by 4-H’ers or any other group. Cell phones should be off or on silent to avoid disturbance.
• Use common courtesy. Best practice is to keep your phone out of sight during your judging experience and off or at the very least no volume until after your experience is complete.

If you or a 4-H participant need disability-related or other accommodations to participate in this program or have questions about the physical accessibility of the event location, please contact Stacy J at 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu at registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event. Late notice may limit our ability to provide requested accommodations.