Judging Contests General Information
What is a Judging Contest? A judging class consists of four items. The 4-H’er is asked to evaluate and rank the class in order from best to worst. Points are given on how close the participant comes to matching the placing an expert gives the class. Junior, Intermediate and Senior 4-H participants will also be given the opportunity to give oral reasons in some judging contests. Oral reasons enable the participant to explain to a judge why they placed the class the way they did. Points are given for how convincing the reasons are. Even if the class wasn’t placed correctly, if good reasons are given, the points will reflect that. Click the following for helpful resources: Introduction to Judging Learning through Judging
How to Give Reasons: When you explain your choices in a judging contest, you are “giving reasons”. Before you can give your reasons, you need to have a clear picture of the class in your mind. After judging the class, be sure to make some notes. Giving reasons will be easier after you have studied your notes. Step up to the judge and explain your reasons using the following example: Oral Reasons Format
Opening Statement: I placed this class of _______________________ 4-1-2-3.
Explanation: In my top pair, I place 4 over 1 because: ________________________________________.
For my middle pair, I place 1 over 2 because: ___________________________________.
In my bottom pair, I place 2 over 3 because: _____________________________________.
Closing Statement: For these reasons, I placed this class of ______________ 4-1-2-3. Thank you.
Judging Contests Held at Festive Food Faire
Judging Contest for Plant &
Mechanical & Consumer Science
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Sequoia Elementary School- 1820 South Armstrong, Fresno - This event is held in conjunction with Festive Food Faire (FFF)
11:00 AM- Judging Contest begins - 1:30 PM- Judging Contest ends
Awards will be presented when tabulations are completed.- Chair person: Anne Cehrs - (559) 618-0250
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What is a Judging Contest?
A judging class consists of four items. The 4-H’er is asked to evaluate and rank the class in order from best to worst. Points are given on how close the participant comes to matching the placing an expert gives the class. Junior, Intermediate and Senior 4-H participants will also be given the opportunity to give oral reasons. Oral reasons enable the participant to explain to a judge why they placed the class the way they did. Points are given for how convincing the reasons are. Even if the class wasn’t placed correctly, if good reasons are given, the points will reflect that. Scroll down to the blue section to learn more about giving reasons.
Livestock Judging Contest - Saturday, November 22, 2025
Location - Fresno State Animal Science Pavilion - 2654 E. Portals Ave. Fresno
Registration begins at 8:30 am- Classes begin 9:00 am
Classes to be evaluated are swine, sheep, beef, meat goats, and dairy heifers. One class designated for oral reasons
No Cost- No Uniform requirements- Complimentary pizza lunch- Special prizes- Gold, Silver, & Bronze medals- Ribbons to 10th place in each age division. Juniors age 9 - 10 / Intermediate age 11 - 13 / Seniors age 14 and above
Contact: Erin Collup 559-367-2542 or email erin.collup@fosterfarms.com
See resources above for Oral Reasons, Introduction to Judging, and Learning Through Judging