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Section 32:JUNIOR DEPARTMENT

The Junior Department is for young people who want to enter exhibits at fairs. There are a number of organizations that want competition among members of the organization. The Fair can do this by establishing divisions and classes for groups such as FFA and 4-H clubs and others. The fair will provide the opportunity for young people to exhibit who are not a member of an organization. Junior exhibitors may not enter the same species of animal or bird in FFA, 4-H, Grange and Independent. All junior exhibitors must have ``on grounds" supervision by a responsible adult. County, district and state fairs cannot legally carry liability insurance covering junior exhibitors and/or their exhibits. Liability insurance is the responsibility of and at the discretion of the junior exhibitor. Therefore, it is suggested that junior exhibitors consider taking out a liability policy covering themselves and their exhibits.
4-H CLUB MEMBERS
- 4-H primary members must be at least 5 years old by January 1 of the 4-H program year (July-June) or in Kindergarten to exhibit small animals approved by 4-H state policy. Junior, Intermediate & Senior members must be 9-18 years old (or in the fourth grade for Juniors) on January 1 of the 4-H program year. Senior members may exhibit until the end of the calendar year in which the member reaches age 19. 4-H livestock members must be enrolled in the project for at least 60 days immediately preceding the opening day of the fair and abide by the project eligibility rules. All 4-H Club exhibitors must wear the official uniform of their organization while showing their animals and at the awards ceremony. For boys, 4-H Cap (appropriate color); long or short sleeved white shirt; white or dark green trousers; belts should be worn if trousers have belt loops. Boots, if worn, must be inside of trouser legs. For girls, 4-H Cap (appropriate color); white skirt and blouse, or dress with 4-H collar; appropriate footwear. Girls may wear boy's uniform if they prefer. Boots, if worn, must be inside of trouser legs.
FFA MEMBERS
- FFA members may participate when they are enrolled in high school vocational agricultural classes and may exhibit as members to the end of the calendar year following graduation from high school. The official FFA show uniform shall be worn by all FFA exhibitors and by helpers in individual and chapter groups while showing and at the awards ceremony. The uniform shall consist of white trousers, white dress shirt or blouse (short or long-sleeved) with the FFA emblem attached to the left pocket, and the official FFA blue necktie for boys or FFA blue scarf for girls. The official jacket is optional; if worn, the shirt emblem is not required. Hats or headgear or any kind shall not be worn with the official show uniform while showing.
INDEPENDENT JUNIOR EXHIBITORS
- Independent junior exhibitors not affiliated with any organization can enter appropriate FFA or 4-H classes if no open junior independent class is available and if they are at least 9 years of age and must not be older than 19 years of age. Independent junior exhibitors must not have been in a junior organization within 60 days (120 days for cattle & horse) to be eligible to participate, see state rule VII 18. An independent junior may, after entering kindergarten, exhibit in the small animals (poultry and rabbits) up to and including third grade. Independent junior exhibitors cannot exhibit in ANY large livestock (beef, dairy cattle, goat, horse, sheep, swine, etc.) until the completion of the third grade. Attire shall be short-sleeved button down white blouse/shirt and dark/khaki pants with appropriate boots. See attire for junior horse show. On providing a separate department for the members of junior groups, the Department of Food and Agriculture is endeavoring to provide a program which is consistent with the general agricultural fair program and which is coordinated with the program of the Future Farmers of America, the 4-H youth programs, and other recognized junior farm groups. The rules and regulations prescribed for the Junior Department have been formulated with the cooperation and approval of State leaders of junior groups. Rules applying to the Senior Department also apply to the Junior Department. No livestock may be delivered prior to 8:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11,2008, unless prior arrangement has been made.

LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. The general rules and health rules applicable to the Senior Department apply also to the Junior Department.
  2. Limited to members of chapters or clubs residing in Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino Counties and within the boundaries of the Cloverdale School District in Sonoma County. (4-H/FFA Light Horse, Horse Show, and Poultry)
  3. 4-H/FFA Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle and Dairy Goats will be open to members of chapters or clubs residing in Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Sonoma County.
  4. All entries must be properly made on official entry blanks furnished by the Fair Association. All entries, including out-of-county 4-H entries must be signed by the 4-H Community Leader of the 4-H club to which the member belongs, or by that leader's DESIGNATED representative. 4-H clubs may, at their option, require the member's project leader to sign each entry form IN ADDITION to the Community Leader. See State Rules, Section VII, Rules 7 and 18.
  5. Completed official entry forms must be in the hands of fair management not later than Friday, August 15, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. for all Livestock (includes Poultry and Rabbit) divisions.
  6. Exhibits MUST BE in place by 10:00 p.m., Thursday, September 11,2008, 2008.
  7. Each 4-H club member must submit to his local club leader, for his or her approval, an up-to-date record book of the show project on standard record books used for this purpose.
  8. Exhibits made as a part of a school course for credit may not be considered as part of a 4-H project.
  9. Junior exhibitors are expected to care for, groom and exhibit their own animals while at the Fair. However, because of the educational nature of the livestock show it is appropriate, on occasion, for parents, leaders, and/or other approved persons to supervise the preparation of livestock for show.
  10. Showmanship will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2008, (except Horse Showmanship, which is Friday, September 12, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. in the arena). Round Robin will start on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. All boys and girls having entries in any of this entire division shall offer such help to their fellow exhibitors as may be designated by their leader or person in charge.
  11. The Fair management reserves the right to cancel all premiums of any exhibitor for any violation of the rules, or for any misconduct of any kind while on the fairgrounds.
  12. SUBMIT a separate entry form for EACH DIVISION.
  13. There will be NO RE-PENNING after pens have been assigned. CHECK with LIVESTOCK SUPERVISOR.
  14. NOTE: refer to State Rule II - Eligibility 9 and 10 (Limiting entries and combining classes).
  15. The Mendocino County Junior Award Committee will present the awards and trophies on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in the lawn area
DANISH SYSTEM OF JUDGING
Group 1 - Superior 92% - 100% Blue
Group 2 - Good 84% - 91% Red
Group 3 - Average 70% - 83% White
Group 4 - Poor, undesirable 69% or Less No Ribbon

THE ROY HARRIS INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

Roy Harris worked with the Mendocino County Fair for many years. Roy always gave special attention to kids showing at the fair; especially the ones who had things go wrong. It is in Roy's memory that the Board of Directors of the Mendocino County Fair has chosen to establish this award. All members of the Mendocino County 4-H or FFA are eligible. Nominees would have exhibited a helpful and positive attitude in the face of difficulties. The judges will be looking for a boy or girl who has persisted when things didn't go quite as planned, though not necessarily ``winning". Each club or chapter will be allowed one applicant. Club leader or advisor should send their recommendation describing their nominee's experience to:
Mendocino County Fair
P.O. Box 458
Boonville, CA 95415
Deadline for receipt of applications: Saturday, September 13, 2008.

Outstanding Breeding Project

Sponsored by McAsey Farms
A silver buckle will be awarded to a junior exhibitor for their Outstanding Breeding project. Independent , FFA, and 4-H members who have shown growth in their livestock breeding project and meet the following guidelines are eligible. Appilcants must be in their second year of high school or older. Exhibitors may apply every year untill they are no longer able to compete at a junior level. (Winning applicants may not re-apply.) The breeding project must be in operation for a minimum of two years. Applicants will be asked to supply information showing the scope of their projects including how the project was started along with expence and income statements. Members may apply themselves or have someone nominate them for the award. Applications will be available in the fair office or online at www.rainbowag.com. All forms must be turned in to the livestock office by the evening of Saturday, September 13, 2008. The applications will be reviewed that evening and the presentation of the buckle will take place during the Junior Awards Ceremony on Sunday. This award is dedicated to Chuck Ream, a prestigious livestock breeder in Mendocino County. Chuck is known for his continuous support of youth projects at the local, state, and national levels. He has served as a 4-H leader, FFA advisor, and as a Youth Advisor for the California Suffolk and Hampshire Sheep Association as welll as the National Junior Suffolk Sheep Association. Through his mentoring, many young individuals have succeeded in their chosen livestock fields as breeders, Ag instructiors, livestock judges, and 4-H leaders to name a few. It is because of his ideals of the importance of youth in agriculture that we choose to honor Mr. Ream.

CLEAN STALL AWARD

The CLEAN STALL AWARDS are an important part of the overall Livestock Program at the Mendocino County Fair. All Junior Exhibitors are invited to design and decorate their areas with educational displays regarding their project, as well as implement a plan to keep their area clean and attractive looking. An anonymous committee using the criteria below will do judging for these awards. A trophy will be awarded by the Mendocino County Junior Award Committee to a 4-H Club and/or an FFA Chapter in Mendocino and Lake Counties and Cloverdale High School District in Sonoma County for the following divisions: Light Horse, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goats, Swine, Sheep, Rabbits and Poultry. Judging will be from 8:00 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2008, through Saturday, September 13, 2008, 2008. Results will be announced Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. in the lawn area. All 4-H or FFA members who will receive an award at the Fair Awards Program are expected to wear a full 4-H or FFA uniform, or clean pants or skirt and club T-shirt (4-H members shall also wear a 4-H hat) in order to receive their awards. Independent junior exhibitors who receive an award will be expected to be appropriately dressed. Any tack, display or item removed prior to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2008 will result in disqualification from competition.
SCORECARD TO BE USED
CLEANLINESS OF ALLEYS/STALLS/PENS: 50 pts.
Bedding adequate, bright, dry, clean & in place. Animals securely tied or penned. Feed boxes in front of animals only at feeding times. Manure hauled out and deposited in proper place. Alleys raked clean, free of straw and debris. Watering points and drains kept clean.
ARRANGEMENT OF EXHIBIT:10 pts.
Exhibit lined up in an attractive manner. Large objectionable boxes out of the way. Hay & straw neat and orderly. Feed boxes and tack in area provided.
APPEARANCE OF ANIMALS:15 pts.
STALL CARDS:5 pts.
Readable from alley, neatly arranged.
MEMBER'S COURTESY:10 pts.
Attendants on duty should conduct themselves in a courteous, friendly, and helpful manner.
DECORATIONS:10 pts.
Attractive, educational. Must be maintained throughout run of fair.