Sussex County 4-H Judging Resources

How do you tell a good potato from a poor potato? Which pack of pansies would make the best buy at a garden center? Which photograph is composed and exposed correctly? What is the difference between a hack saw and a drywall saw? What livestock feed goes with a particular animal? If you are an active 4-H member involved in your project, then these questions and more will be easy to answer during a series of Critical Thinking exercises in what is known as the 4-H Judging Contest.

Each spring, Sussex County 4-H holds a series of Critical Thinking, Skillathons or Judging contests on particular project areas found within 4-H. Photography, Horticulture, Wood Science, Wildlife Habitat, Textile and Clothing, Livestock Skillathon and Horse and Consumer Bowls. Throughout the 4-H year, 4-H'ers in these and other project areas study and review the fundamentals of their projects to prepare for the county-level contest in early spring. Each project judging contest has its own particular criteria - in both content and age division competition. Content area may vary each year.

4-H'ers in all age groups and at all experience levels meet to examine examples, fill in the blanks and call upon their "Critical Thinking" skills to arrive at what they believe is the right decision or order of quality. Many contests offer a chance for the 4-H contestant to provide "thier reasoning" and this thinking process is judged and taken into account in addition to the answer.

The top 10 placings in each project contest category qualify to be invited to judge at the state-level held in July during the Delaware State Fair. Each 4-H'er may participate in two of the Judging Contest projects in which they qualify. Some state contests do not require participation in a county-level contest.

Below are judging gudelines for current 4-H Projects. Please check back often for updates. If you have any questions, please contact the 4-H office at 302-856-2585 ext 559. The Delaware 4-H Web site also posts judging guldelines too(scroll half way down to Judging)! Training kits are available for clubs to use to help train their members.Some of these are shared among the county offices.Please contact Mary Argo in advance to reserve these study kits.

2009 Judging Guides:

Dairy Judging Guide
Food and Nutrition
Horse Bowl
Horticulture
Livestock Skillathon
Photography
Poultry
Textile and Clothing
Wildlife and Ecology
Wood Science