Competitive Events & Teams
Alachua County 4-H is home to a number of competitive events and teams. Keep reading to learn more about each one!
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Forest Ecology Team
The Forest Ecology Team focuses on Tree ID, Wildlife ID, Forest Insects & Diseases, Ecosystems, Maps & Compass, Tree Measurement, and Quiz Bowl. The team practices throughout the year for the state contest in April. Practices are a mix of mock contests, forest hikes, field trips, and virtual. More info about the contest can be found at: Forestry Contest
Contact Emily Eubanks at emily.e.eubanks@gmail.com for more information or to be added to the team email.
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Poultry Judging Team
Contact Stacey Ellison for more information.
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Entomology Team
Contact Emily Eubanks for more information at emily.e.eubanks@gmail.com
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Shooting Sports
Alachua County 4-H is home to three different shooting sports disciplines: archery, rifle, and shotgun. Space is limited within these groups, so reach out to the leaders for more information.
Archery
Amanda Prine amandanprine@gmail.com
Rifle & Shotgun
Blane Alt blanealt@cox.net
Robert Kaminski robertckaminski@gmail.com
Erica Miller ericasaurus@gmail.com
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County Events (Presentations & Talent Show)
County Events is a countywide competition where 4-H members compete in several categories including Public Speaking, Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks, and Share the Fun. Blue ribbon winners will be eligible to move on to District Events, and senior blue ribbon district winners are eligible for the statewide competition at 4-H University.
County events is held on the last Friday of January.
Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks (includes visual components)
A demonstration or illustrated talk is a presentation that uses visual aids. More specifically, a demonstration is where youth have their project with them and show how to actually do something (for example, showing how to tie knots using a rope), and an illustrated talk uses an aid like a poster or PowerPoint-type presentation. There are multiple categories that youth can enter like animal science, healthy living, citizenship, and more. Individuals or teams of two (in the same age division) are eligible to compete. The presentation length varies by age:
- Cloverbud: 1 minute
- Junior: 3-12 minutes
- Intermediate: 3-12 minutes
- Senior: 5-12 minutes
- Team: 5-12 minutes
Public Speaking (does not include visual components)
The Public Speaking category is similar to demonstrations & illustrated talks, but it doesn't use visual aids. Participants either memorize their speech or use note cards with their talking points to help them. 4-H'ers can choose their speech topic as long as it relates to their 4-H involvement in some way. Speech length varies by age:
- Cloverbud: 1 minute
- Junior: 3-7 minutes
- Intermediate: 3-7 minutes
- Senior: 5-7 minutes
- Senior (horse): 8-10 minutes
Share the Fun
Share the Fun is like a talent show! Individuals and teams are allowed to compete in four different categories: instrumental, drama, vocal, and dance.
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District Events (Presentations & Talent Show)
District Events is the next level up from County Events, and senior blue ribbon district winners are eligible for the statewide competition at 4-H University. Alachua County is part of District Five along with Baker, Bradford, Columbia, and Union counties. District Events typically takes place in late spring.
Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks (includes visual components)
A demonstration or illustrated talk is a presentation that uses visual aids. More specifically, a demonstration is where youth have their project with them and show how to actually do something (for example, showing how to tie knots using a rope), and an illustrated talk uses an aid like a poster or PowerPoint-type presentation. There are multiple categories that youth can enter like animal science, healthy living, citizenship, and more. Individuals or teams of two (in the same age division) are eligible to compete. The presentation length varies by age:
- Cloverbud: 1 minute
- Junior: 3-12 minutes
- ntermediate: 3-12 minutes
- Senior: 5-12 minutes
- Team: 5-12 minutes
Public Speaking (does not include visual components)
The Public Speaking category is similar to demonstrations & illustrated talks, but it doesn't use visual aids. Participants either memorize their speech or use note cards with their talking points to help them. 4-H'ers can choose their speech topic as long as it relates to their 4-H involvement in some way. Speech length varies by age:
- Cloverbud: 1 minute
- Junior: 3-7 minutes
- Intermediate: 3-7 minutes
- Senior: 5-7 minutes
- Senior (horse): 8-10 minutes
Share the Fun
Share the Fun is like a talent show! Individuals and teams are allowed to compete in four different categories: instrumental, drama, vocal, and dance.
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State Events (Presentations & Talent Show)
State Events is the next level up from District Events for senior age members (14-18 year olds). State Competitive Events take place at 4-H University each summer.
Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks (includes visual components)
A demonstration or illustrated talk is a presentation that uses visual aids. More specifically, a demonstration is where youth have their project with them and show how to actually do something (for example, showing how to tie knots using a rope), and an illustrated talk uses an aid like a poster or PowerPoint-type presentation. There are multiple categories that youth can enter like animal science, healthy living, citizenship, and more. Individuals or teams of two (in the same age division) are eligible to compete.
Public Speaking (does not include visual components)
The Public Speaking category is similar to demonstrations & illustrated talks, but it doesn't use visual aids. Participants either memorize their speech or use note cards with their talking points to help them. 4-H'ers can choose their speech topic as long as it relates to their 4-H involvement in some way. Speech length varies by topic:
- Horse: 8-10 minutes
- All other topics: 5-7 minutes
Share the Fun
Share the Fun is like a talent show! Individuals and teams are allowed to compete in four different categories: instrumental, drama, vocal, and dance.
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Photography & Graphic Design
Photography Contest
Alachua County 4-H'ers participate in the photography contest by submitting their photos to the Alachua County Youth Fair Exhibit Judging Contest each spring. Youth ages 5-18 who are enrolled in 4-H by December 1st can participate. Each participant may submit up to six (6) photos total to this contest.
The winner of the three competitive age groups (junior, intermediate, senior) will be eligible for the state contest. Their winning photo will be submitted on their behalf by the 4-H Agent. There are five categories of photos for the state contest: People, Flora and Fauna, Scenic, Still Life, and Black and White.
Graphic Design Contest
Alachua County 4-H'ers participate in the graphic design contest by submitting their photos to the Alachua County Youth Fair Exhibit Judging Contest each spring. Youth ages 5-18 who are enrolled in 4-H by December 1st can participate. Each participant may submit up to six (6) graphic designs total to this contest.
All blue ribbon recipients in the three competitive age groups (junior, intermediate, senior) will be eligible for the state contest. Their winning graphic designs will be submitted on their behalf by the 4-H Agent. There are four categories of graphic designs for the state contest: Brochure, Flyer, PowerPoint Presentation, and Other.
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Tailgating Contest (Grilling)
The purpose of this contest is to promote the use of animal protein in the diet by teaching the art and science of safely preparing beef, pork, poultry, and seafood in an outdoor setting. Investment in this activity will provide 4-H youth with life skills, including decision making, healthy lifestyle choices, and communication.
Alachua County 4-H'ers participate in the Northeast District Contest each summer. From there, eligible participants will move on to the state level contest later in the summer. Poultry winners from the state contest also have an opportunity to move on to the national level contest.
Contact Chad Carr at chadcarr@ufl.edu for more information about this contest.