General Rules for 4-H & FFA

1. Entries are open to all 4-H and FFA members in good standing in Gallatin County. 4-H Members must be enrolled in their Market Animal Project by the animal possession date and other projects by March 1 to exhibit at the Fair. Any 4-H family from another county moving to Gallatin County may transfer their project(s) after March 1.
2. Deadline for 4-H fair entries is Friday, June , 2023, 5:00 p.m. ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
3. Fair Entries are accepted online only. Information on how to enroll will be sent to all enrolled families.
4. To exhibit, all 4-H exhibitors must interview in each category they have a project in: Horse, Livestock and/or Indoor projects. If an exhibitor does not interview, they will not be allowed to exhibit their projects at the fair. All exceptions must be preapproved by the 4-H office.
5. Record books are required to accompany each 4-H member to their interview(s) to be reviewed by the judge. All 4-H members must turn in their record book to the Extension Office by June 28^th at 5pm to be reviewed and signed by project leaders or committees.
6. The Danish System of Judging will be used (see page 8 for more details). All eligible youth will receive blue, red, or white ribbons. On competitive basis purple ribbons, rosettes and/or prizes MAY be awarded at the judge’s Cloverbud entries are non-competitive & receive only green participation ribbons.
7. All 4-H and FFA exhibits/animals must remain on display until time stated in Fair Schedule. This includes taking exhibits/animals home at night. Exceptions may be made in the Horse Projects—please read the Horse Project section of this Fairbook for details. Removal of exhibits prior to end of Fair will result in forfeiture of all premiums earned & stall deposits unless otherwise arranged.
8. The Fair Board and/or anyone associated with the Fair Management and Montana State Extension or associated with Extension, will not be held responsible for the loss, damage or injury of any article or animal exhibited at the Fair, either during the process of the Fair or traveling to/from the Fair. The Fair Board and MSU Extension will not be held responsible for the safe return of any exhibit to its owner, although due care and caution will be exercised to prevent loss or damage.
9. You may exhibit the current year’s work only. Any article shown previously at Fair is not permitted.
10. Refer to workbooks/curriculum guides for items appropriate to project requirements.
11. Exhibitors must observe all Fair Rules and Montana 4-H Code of Conduct. The member/parent may receive a warning for a 1^st infraction, and severe infractions will disqualify both the member and project from further participation in that year’s fair. Entries not following rules may be disqualified or dropped one ribbon placing as decided by the Market Livestock Committee, Horse Committee, or Indoor Committee and/or 4-H agent and FFA Advisors.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR 4‐H MEMBERS: The 4‐H Center & Montana State University Extension wants your participation in 4‐H programs, events, and activities to be filled with exciting experiences, new friendships, and fun. To ensure a positive experience for all participants, it is expected that all 4‐H’ers be considerate of others, participate fully in the programming and observe the following expectations. If a situation or question arises which is not clearly covered by this list, ask an Extension Faculty/Staff member, or volunteer leader before acting.

• While attending 4‐H activities and events, I will:
  • Obey all rules established by the 4‐H program, the local 4‐H program, and all local, state, and federal laws.
  • Conduct myself at all times in order to be a credit to the club, school and community.
  • Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion and in accordance with the activity dress code.
  • Show respect for the rights and property of others; be courteous at all times.
  • Be honest and not take unfair advantage of others.
  • Refrain from disruptive behavior and swearing.
  • Demonstrate sportsmanship, modesty in winning and generosity in defeat.                      
  • Attend meetings and sessions promptly and respect the opinion of others in discussion.
  • Be respectful of the authority of adult volunteers, youth leaders, 4‐H staff, and others in leadership roles.
  • Not use, accept, or carry alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, or associate with others using these substances

12. FFA Advisors will enforce rules for FFA members.
13. 4-H Age is determined based on the youths’ age on Oct 1, 2022.
14. Age divisions: Cloverbud: 4-HAge 5 to 7 years old as of October 1, 2022, Junior: 4-H Age 8 to 13 years old as of October 1, 2022, and Senior: 4-H/FFAAge 14 to 18 as of October 1, 2022.
15. Write-ins allowed for exhibiting purpose only – no premium money awarded.
16. Grievances must be filed in writing to the Extension office within 24 hours of the incident. A grievance committee of 4-H leaders and the county 4-H agent will review each grievance.
17. No person, other than exhibitors will be allowed in the show ring during the time of judging except the superintendent, judge, class supervisor, clerk, and ring steward. Judges have been carefully selected by the management and each is recognized for his/her capability in making expert decisions in the respective division for which chosen. All exhibitors entering the Fair will accept the judge’s decision and agree to abide by their decisions.  The decisions of the judges will be final in all cases.  If any exhibitor or family member attempts to interfere with the judge in any manner during the judging time, or publicly expresses disapproval of the decisions made by the judge, the exhibitor may be excluded from further competition. 
18. 4-H/FFA members and volunteers are expected to dress appropriately while representing 4-H and FFA. Dress guidelines include no exposure of underwear and midriff area, no spaghetti strap or see-through shirts, and shirts must have an appropriate neckline. Closed-toe and closed-heeled shoes are required to be worn around animals. See showmanship division for description of appropriate show apparel.

Gallatin County 4-H & Extension Office

Molly Yurdana ............................ 4-H Agent

Elizabeth D’Imperio ................... Agriculture Agent

Colyn Wiening…………………..4-H Assistant

Kari Ballenger............................. Administrative Assistant

Belgrade FFA

Kyle Gavin ................................... FFA Advisor

Three Forks FFA

Connie Olsen.............................. FFA Advisor

Indoor Committee

Project and Club Leaders

4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee

Cody Brownell..................................... President (Rabbit)

Kelly Pavlik.......................................... President-Elect (Swine)

Merle Farrier........................................ Treasurer (Swine)

Amy Brownell.………………………..Secretary (Rabbit)

Annabel Morgan ................................ Member (Beef)

Melanie Duffin……………………….Member (Beef)

Lea’h MacDonald .............................. Member (Poultry)

Judy Brownell ..................................... Member (Poultry)

Ruth Carr............................................. Member (Sheep)

Kim Flikkema....................................... Member (Sheep)

Aimee Henry………………………….Member (Goat)

Gena Johnson.................................... Member (Goat)

Lee Nuss…….………………………..Fairgrounds

Michael Braught……………………...Community Member                  

Madelynn Beals……………………...Junior Member

Deanna Yung...................................... Junior Member