Interview Judging Exhibits

Interview Judging Exhibits

Interview judging brings 4-H members and judges together to evaluate project exhibits.  It provides a unique opportunity for 4-H exhibitors to learn from the experience and knowledge of the evaluator.  Interview judging involves one on one communication between a judge and an exhibitor talking directly with each other. 

The 4-H exhibitor can:

• Explain what they were trying to do – their goals and objectives.
• Describe methods and processes used to produce the exhibit.
• Ask direct questions and get firsthand answers.
• Discover that the judge knows a lot about a subject, but is also a human being.
• Recognize their personal success and progress; be encouraged to try new ideas.

The Interview judge can:

• Find out what the 4-H exhibitor wanted to achieve.
• Hear what process was used to create the exhibit.
• Ask direct questions and get firsthand answers.
• Show the 4-H exhibitor that the exhibit is being judged not the person.
• Consider the feelings of the person…make the exhibitor feel good about efforts to prepare the exhibit.

Ada County 4-H project interviews are held in the South wing of the WIF Expo building.  Livestock, Horse and Family and Consumer Science projects are all judged at this location. Horse projects are judged beside the Shop Arena on the WIF grounds.

What needs to be completed before the interview?

1. Submit completed fair entry form to appropriate location (Fair Premium office or Ada County Extension office)
2. Appointment made for individual interviews (call Ada County Extension office 208-377-2107 Horse project interview times are assigned, check with your club leader)>
3. Record and project book completed, bring to interview.
4. Complete exhibit and bring to WIF (livestock and horse animals come to the fair as the project exhibit, FCS has a variety of exhibit options, all projects must have an exhibit in addition to the record and project book).
5. Check the Idaho 4-H Project Requirements Handbook for requirements of a completed project.

Danish System of Judging

The 4-H Program at the Western Idaho Fair uses a modified Danish System of awards.  The process used is interview or conference judging. 

1. Cloverbuds receive participation stickers or ribbons.  They are only interviewed to help them grow and develop.  Cloverbud participation is optional.
2. 4-H youth will be interviewed to evaluate accomplishment of self set goals and skills learned.

AND

3. 4-H/FFA youth will be evaluated on their exhibited item against a standard of excellence and completion requirements.

The Modified Danish System allows all exhibits to receive a blue, red, or white ribbon placing.
 

Blue

Best Growth in Project

Shows Best Understanding

   of Subject & Superior                          Red

   workmanship for age and                     Better Project Growth

   experience                                             Medium Personal Growth            White

Shows Leadership Ability                        Better Understanding of              Good Project Growth

Attractive Project                                       the Subject                                Good Understanding and

                                                                    Neat Exhibit                                Workmanship

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