Things to Consider:
-State Fair Packet is handed out at the state convention, remaining are mailed to chapters in May with all information needed
-State Fair mailings are sent to chapters in May with all information needed in packet
-Who can exhibit:
-10 Landscape booths – Link to rules
-Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) –
-State Fair Packet is handed out at the state convention, remaining are mailed to chapters in May with all information needed
-State Fair mailings are sent to chapters in May with all information needed in packet
-Who can exhibit:
- Any 9-12th grade student who will be enrolled in Ag Education classes during the upcoming year
- Graduated FFA members in their first four years after high school. *FFA advisor must renew their membership each year they want to show.
-10 Landscape booths – Link to rules
- If your school had one in the past year, they will/can have one the following year.
- If your chapter is interested in getting a booth, inquire with Marie in the Competitions Office at the State Fair. Otherwise look for information in May when theme is sent out.
- Chapters can start working on the booth, immediately after the close of registration (Example: July 10th was the first day chapters could work on their booths in 2015) and needs to be completed Wednesday of the first week of the fair.
- Financial support available ($1,000/chapter stipend in 2015), but chapters need to find their own supplies.
- Premiums are very generous.
- Clean up starts the day after fair and needs to be completed the week after Labor Day.
- Check premium book for dates and requirements.
- Ag Mech. Premium Book
- Judging Contests, Crops, and Tractor Driving Premium Book
- No pre-fair competition needed.
- Crops Information
- Crops Entry Form
- Tractor driving – all rules on the web and students must pre-qualify at local level to compete
- 2 key rules are as follows:
- Each contestant must have reached his/her 14th birthday, but not his/her 19th birthday by January 1 of the year of the contest.
- Each contestant must have a state driver’s license or learner’s permit in his/her possession. Contestants under age for a regular driver’s license or permit must have in their possession the exemption certificate authorized under the U.S. Department of Labor order on hazardous occupations in agriculture.
- Contact local advisors to find out where your regional contest(s) are located
- The State competition is on the first day of the fair on the North side of the fair grounds, see web for more information.
- Invitational Livestock Judging – First day of fair.
- Dairy and General Livestock contest
- Entrance registration two weeks prior to fair to compete
- Awards in mid afternoon at Christensen’s Stage
- See premium book for dates and requirements
- All require early August registration
- Registration forms require exhibitor's FFA ID number and paid entrance fee
- Incoming 9th graders are able to show, if they are enrolled in an Agriculture course the next year and dues will be paid
- Derby Hog show weigh-in and ear tags needs to be completed by May 1
- Terminal show for market lambs, hogs, Holstein steers
- Dorm sheets must be signed by the chaperone present at fair with students
- Chapters can share chaperons, but please be mindful of the number of students going and chaperones needed
- The expectation is that you will attend with your students that are showing
- Joel Larsen is in charge of Dorms
- Livestock Showing -
- Rural Youth Scholarship for $1000 due prior to the fair
- To eligible, senior exhibitors must pre-register for it, see premium book for more information.
- 12:30 FFA awards program at Ag- Star stage on Monday
- Christensen Farms stage – free ticket in for performers.
- Contact Leah Addington for more information
-Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) –
- Prefer 16(at fair)-18 years of age – High School students have first priority.
- Applications can be found on the MN FFA website and emailed out by State Staff in January.
- Applications due prior to State Convention
- http://www.mnffa.org/Programs/MinnesotaStateFair.aspx
- Search for CHS Miracle of Birth Center Barnyard Attendant
- Applicant list will be narrowed and final interviews completed at State Convention.
- Selected Barn helpers (barnies) will be notified in late May
- There is a one day mandatory training in late July or early August at the State Fairgrounds
- 2 sessions the Barn helpers can work –
- 1st session – Wed. afternoon prior to state fair through 6pm Tuesday
- 2nd session – Early afternoon on Tuesday- prior to 4pm through mid-afternoon Labor Day
- Highlights for students:
- Receive free entrance into the fair
- Free housing
- Males stays in Dorms at Coliseum and Females stay at the Clovia House on St. Paul Campus
- Three free daily meals
- Potential TV and radio appearances
- Interaction with State Officers and other notable figures
- Looking for:
- Members should be expected to work long hours
- Be able to handle Barn environments
- See work and take initiative to complete work
- People Skills
- Livestock Knowledge
- However, a third of the Barn kids are selected on personality and communication skills even though Livestock Knowledge may be minimal