Contests are listed here by month, and then in numerical order by date. For more information on a specific contest, links to rules and entry forms, as applicable, are underneath each listing. You can also click on each contest's logo to be taken to the event or sponsoring organization's main website or page on social media.
Please note that while we are not affiliated with any of the events listed on this page, if you can't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to Contact Us to see if we can help.
Livestock, poultry and dairy judging are fun, but did you know that there are many other judging events offered in both 4-H and FFA? For more information about some of them, see the bottom of this page for some background information.
JULY
None at this time.
AUGUST
None at this time.
SEPTEMBER
None at this time.
OCTOBER
PENSACOLA INTERSTATE FAIR CONSUMER CHOICES CONTEST - PENSACOLA
- Date: CANCELED for 2020
- Location: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, Pensacola
- Judging Classes Only (No Reasons)
Open to All Interested 4-H Members, Awards to Top Three Teams and High Individual Overall in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Register Day-of
- Entry Fee: None
This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2020 Due to COVID-19
NOVEMBER
JACKSONVILLE FAIR HORTICULTURE JUDGING CONTEST - JACKSONVILLE (WILL BE HOSTED IN 2020)
- Date: November 14, 2020
- Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Jacksonville
- Ornamentals, Vegetables, Fruits and Nuts, Foliage, Placing Classes
Open to All Youth in Cloverbud, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: REQUIRED with UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
- Entry Fee: None
JACKSONVILLE FAIR FOREST ECOLOGY CONTEST - JACKSONVILLE (WILL BE HOSTED IN 2020)
- Date: November 14, 2020
- Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Jacksonville
- Trees, Plants, Forest Health, Ecosystems Quiz (Junior and Intermediate), Management Quiz (Senior Only)
Open to All Youth in Cloverbud, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: REQUIRED with UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
- Entry Fee: None
JACKSONVILLE FAIR CONSUMER CHOICES CONTEST - JACKSONVILLE (WILL BE HOSTED IN 2020)
- Date: November 14, 2020
- Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Jacksonville
- Judging Classes, Oral Reasons (One Set)
Open to All Youth in Cloverbud, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: REQUIRED with UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
- Entry Fee: None
NORTH FLORIDA FAIR AGRICULTURAL "FARM" JUDGING CONTEST - TALLAHASSEE
- Date: CANCELED for 2020
- Location: North Florida Fairgrounds, Tallahassee
- Judging Classes (Assorted)
Open to Four Teams Per FFA Chapter/Six Teams Per 4-H Program, Awards to Top Three Teams/Individuals in Junior/Senior FFA and Junior, Intermediate and Senior 4-H Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Required by October 15 to Brian Solger (FFA) or UF/IFAS Gadsden County (4-H)
- Entry Fee: None
This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2020 Due to the Cancellation of the Fair from COVID-19
NORTH FLORIDA FAIR HORTICULTURE JUDGING CONTEST - TALLAHASSEE
- Date: CANCELED for 2020
- Location: North Florida Fairgrounds, Tallahasssee
- Identification of Ornamental Plants, Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Foliage
Open to Four Teams Per 4-H Program, Awards to Top Five Teams/Top Three Individuals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Required by October 15 to UF/IFAS Leon County
- Entry Fee: None
This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2020 Due to the Cancellation of the Fair from COVID-19
NORTH FLORIDA FAIR CONSUMER CHOICES CONTEST - TALLAHASSEE
- Date: CANCELED for 2020
- Location: North Florida Fairgrounds, Tallahasssee
- Judging Classes, Reasons
Open to Six Teams Per 4-H Program, Awards to Top Five Teams/Top Three Individuals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Required by October 15 to UF/IFAS Washington County
- Entry Fee: None
This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2020 Due to the Cancellation of the Fair from COVID-19
NORTH FLORIDA FAIR WILDLIFE ECOLOGY CONTEST - TALLAHASSEE
- Date: CANCELED for 2020
- Location: North Florida Fairgrounds, Tallahasssee
- Identification of Trees, Mammals and Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians
Open to Four Teams Per 4-H Program, Awards to Top Five Teams/Top Three Individuals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Required by October 15 to UF/IFAS Leon County
- Entry Fee: None
This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2020 Due to the Cancellation of the Fair from COVID-19
DECEMBER
None at this time.
JANUARY
SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR HORSE JUDGING CONTEST - WEST PALM BEACH (UPDATED)
- Date: CANCELED for 2021
- Location: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach
- Judging Classes, Questions
Open to All Interested Teams, Awards to Top 10 Individuals and Teams in Junior and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Register Day-of
- Entry Fee: None
Per Updated Announcements in January 2021, This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2021
SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR HORTICULTURE JUDGING CONTEST - WEST PALM BEACH (UPDATED)
- Date: CANCELED for 2021
- Location: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach
- Identification, Placing Classes
Open to All Interested Teams, Awards to Top 10 Individuals and Teams in Junior and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Register Day-of
- Entry Fee: None
Per Updated Announcements from January 2021, This Contest Has Been CANCELED for 2021
SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR VEGETABLE JUDGING CONTEST - WEST PALM BEACH
- Date: CANCELED for 2021
- Location: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach
- Identification, Placing Classes
Open to All Interested Teams, Awards to Top 10 Individuals and Teams in Junior and Senior Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Register Day-of
- Entry Fee: None
Per Update from the Fair, Vegetable Judging Has Been CANCELED for 2021
FEBRUARY
FLORIDA STATE FAIR 4-H HORSE JUDGING CONTEST - TAMPA
- Date: TBA (New Details, or If It Will Return During the Rescheduled Florida State Fair in April, Have Not Been Announced)
- Location: Lykes Arena, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa
- Judging Classes (Confirmation and Equitation), Questions
Open to Two Teams (One Senior Only, One Any Age) from Each County, Awards to Top Five Teams and Individuals Overall
- Registration Deadline: TBA
- Entry Fee: TBA
FLORIDA STATE FAIR GOAT JUDGING CONTESTS - TAMPA
- Date: N/A
- Location: N/A
- Placing Classes
Individual Contests Only, Awards to Top Three Individuals in Junior, Intermediate, Senior Divisions for Each
- Registration Deadline: N/A
- Entry Fee: None
These Contests Have Been Discontinued Beginning in 2021, Per the Florida State Fair
MARCH
None at this time.
APRIL
CLAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR 4-H/FFA HORTICULTURE JUDGING CONTEST - GREEN COVE SPRINGS
- Date: 2021 Date TBA
- Location: Clay County Agricultural Fair, Green Cove Springs
- Identification of Ornamentals, Fruits/Nuts, Vegetables, Foliage
Open to Four Teams Per Club/Chapter, Awards to Top Three Individuals/Teams in Middle School/High School FFA and Junior, Intermediate and Senior 4-H Divisions
- Registration Deadline: Online Pre-Registration Requested
- Entry Fee: None
More Information (Coming Soon)
MAY
None at this time.
JUNE
None at this time.
In addition to livestock, poultry and dairy judging, several other judging events are offered that host "local" level events, hosted by fairs and other organizations around the state that prepare youth for state 4-H and FFA competitions.
(Note: This is NOT an exhaustive list of all of the events offered on the state level by 4-H and FFA, other competitions such as meats judging, public speaking and demonstrations are also offered, but there are no "open" contests available for these like the bigger events.)
Horticulture Judging: Contest requires youth to identify and evaluate various plants such as ornamentals, fruits and nuts, and vegetables. This contest is offered on the local level, and on the state level for 4-H through the State 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest. FFA does not offer this as a state level event, but offered with similar content are the State FFA Floriculture CDE and State FFA Nursery and Landscape CDE.
Horse Judging: Contest requires youth to evaluate halter horses and equitation patterns by riders. This contest is offered on the local level, and on the state level for both 4-H and FFA through the State 4-H Horse Judging Contest and the State FFA Horse Evaluation CDE. 4-H also offers the State 4-H Hippology Contest and the State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Contest.
Forestry: Offered by both organizations, in 4-H, this contest focuses on identification of trees, plants and animals, while in FFA, this contest focuses on hands-on activities and skills such as compass and pacing, dendrology and map reading. This contest is offered on the state level for 4-H through the State 4-H Forest Ecology Contest, and on the district and state levels for FFA through the State FFA Forestry CDE.
Vegetable Judging: Contest requires youth to identify and evaluate vegetables, seeds, weeds, diseases and insects. This contest is offered on the state level for FFA through the State FFA Vegetable CDE. Aspects of this event are incorporated through horticulture judging and the state insectathon through 4-H, but 4-H does not offer this event on the state level.
While 4-H formerly hosted state level events for consumer choices, dairy goat judging and wildlife ecology, no state contests currently exist for these events, along with farm judging, but local level events for this areas are held throughout the season.