Exhibitor Information
Exhibit Information
When Iowa 4-H members participate in events, including the local county fair, there are rules and protocols in place to ensure safety and integrity for all participants. Sometimes, our 4-H members and/or families fail to abide by the Iowa Exhibitor Youth Code of Ethics, the Iowa 4-H Code of Conduct for Youth/Families, and/or event rules, which may lead to disciplinary action.
To ensure consistency and fairness, Jefferson County Extension follows a written process to respond to and resolve 4-H issues and complaints in a manner that teaches good character, life skills, and positive youth development.
This is a draft of the fair book. While rule changes are finalized for animal and static exhibits and the clothing and communication events, edits will be made if/as any health requirements change, etc. All additions and edits will be communicated to families through 4-H Online broadcast emails and through Facebook, as they are posted on this website.
Animal Exhibit Information
Fair book and rule changes can be found above, under Exhibit Information.
Animal Identification
4-H Market Beef animals MUST be identified in 4HOnline by February 1st. No exceptions. Market Animal ID Help Sheet
4-H livestock and animals for county and state fair MUST be identified in 4HOnline by May 15th. No exceptions. This includes: Breeding Beef, Cow/Calf, Breeding and Market Goats, Breeding and Market Sheep, Breeding and Market Swine, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, Cat, Pet, Dog
Animal Help Sheet
Market Animal ID Entry Helpsheet
Please note: this does NOT enter your animals into fair classes (this is done on Fair Entry). Animal ID on 4HOnline simply makes them eligible for exhibition.
FFA exhibitors will need to turn in a paper ID form to the Extension Office by May 15.
Drug Affidavits
Weigh-In Information
- Beef- December 6, 2025
- Swine- March 21, 2026
- Sheep & Goat- April 18, 2026
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)
Any exhibitor 4th grade & up planning to show beef, dairy, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, or swine at the county or state fair must complete YQCA annually.
- In-person training will be offered: Saturday, April 25 from 9:30-10:30 am and from 11:00-12:00 pm. Pre-registration is required.
Location: Jefferson County Extension Office
Fees:
- $3 in person
- $12 Virtual
Instructor-Led Training (in-person)
Instructor-Led Training Help Sheet
Web-Based Training
Web-Based Training | Web-Based Training Help Sheet
Upon completion, submit a copy of the certificate to our office in-person or via email at jefferson4h@iastate.edu.
Animal Record Forms
Static Exhibit Information
Static Projects
- Exhibit Form (use for every exhibit except Photography, Poster Exhibits, and County-Only Horticulture) PDF - Word
- Exhibit Tip Sheets
- Project Hot Sheets
- Use of Copyright/Trademark Materials
- General Design Elements and Art Principles
- Pinterest to Original Source in 3 Easy Steps
- Static Judging Day Schedule Saturday, June 21
- Static Judging Day Procedure
Food and Nutrition
- Foods for Iowa 4-H Fairs - Quick Reference Guide
- Safe Frosting for Iowa 4-H Fairs
- Preserved Food Exhibit Label
- Honey Label for 4-H Exhibits
- Thrifty Meal Challenge
Photography
Home Improvement
Clothing
Poster Exhibits
Horticulture and Floriculture
- County-Only Horticulture Exhibit Form PDF - Word
- Preparing Vegetables for Fair
- Preparing Fresh Flowers for Fair
Clothing Event
Communications Event
Clover Kids
Fair Entry
Sign up your animal and static exhibits for the fair! Changes can be made at fair check-in.
- Clover Kids & 4-H Exhibitors: Visit https://jeffersoncountyfair.fairentry.com/. It’s important for you to “Sign in with 4HOnline” and use the same email and password as you do with 4HOnline.
- Clover Kids Help Sheet
- Help Sheet
Static Projects
- Rules and Class Descriptions - See Fair Book
- Clover Kids Project Goal Sheet - PDF - Word
- Static Judging Day Schedule: will sign up for a time in Fair Entry
- Static Judging Day Procedure
Animals
- Rules and Class Descriptions - See Fair Book
- Clover Kids Animal Records - PDF - Word
- Important Animal Information
Youth Accommodation Request
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach strives to make its programs and events accessible to all Iowans who are otherwise eligible to participate in the activities. This applies to local and state events/programs. Reasonable accommodations are often possible for persons with disabilities who wish to participate, so long as the accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program, cause undue financial burden, or otherwise cause a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Special Accommodation Request Forms are available at the Jefferson County Extension Office. Forms should be submitted in a timely manner prior to the event/activity.
