Jr. Fair Rules & Regulations

JR. Fair Rules & Regulations

For each 4-H project entered there must be a completed project book turned in by the exhibitor for evaluation at interview judging. The completed market livestock books are due to the 4-H club advisor one week after receiving livestock sale receipts.
Every exhibitor shall hold primary responsibility for their own projects and individually share the care of group exhibits as directed by the leader.
All exhibits will be graded A, B, C and will be awarded ribbons to indicate the grade at skillathon.
All 4-H Livestock and nonlivestock projects will be interview judged prior to the fair. A judging schedule will be mailed to each 4-H family. All FFA projects will be judged by FFA advisors prior to the fair.
No exhibitor may show animal species or crops from the same department in both 4-H and FFA.
No Junior Fair participant may exhibit in more than one Junior Fair. Youth are expected to affiliate with youth program in the county of residence. However, in instances where youth live out of county, membership considerations will be given by the 4-H agent only when a positive education experience will result. An “Across County Line” form must be on file for 4-H members residing outside Putnam County.
Each fair official will expect courteous and orderly conduct by the Jr. Fair exhibitors and attendants. Harassment, profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct toward fair officials, judges, show managers, help and exhibitors WILL NOT be tolerated. Any violation of this rule would warrant withholding of premium money and exemption of showing and exhibiting at the Putnam County Fair.
All non-livestock entries must be in place by Noon on Sunday.
Exhibits shall be placed and remain placed as directed by the superintendent of the department. Premiums will be forfeited on all exhibits removed without the consent of the superintendent in charge.
All judges decisions are final in all shows and competitions. 11. All Junior Fair exhibitors must follow safety guidelines established by the Putnam County Agricultural Society.
All exhibitors must show their animal(s) in order to sell.
All livestock classes will have 4 placings.
Fans & equipment must be hung or stored in our pen space or designated tack areas.

1. The Putnam County Junior Fair is open to all boys and girls regardless of race, gender, creed, national origin, and who are bonafide current members of a Putnam Co. Youth Organization. (4-H, FFA, Scouts, Grange, Farm Bureau or other organization acceptable to the Senior Fair Board.)
2. A) 4-H: Minimum age is 8 years old and in the third grade as of January 1st of the current year. Maximum age eligibility ends December 31st of the calendar year in which a member attains the age of 19. *The Putnam County Junior Fair is open to participation by Cloverbuds (K-2nd grade) for non-livestock; non-competitive exhibits only.
2. B) FFA: Entries are open to currently enrolled agricultural education students and/or two year program graduates who may compete in the first fair following their graduation. Exhibits must be a part of or a continuation of the student’s agricultural program experience.
3. A) Entries must be made through the local advisor. Deadline for Junior Fair Livestock Entries (both 4-H and FFA) is due the first friday in June. All FFA projects must make entries. For 4-H, only livestock entries must be made.
3. B) LATE ENTRIES: A member will be deemed non-competitive due to late entries. Those deemed non-competitive will not be eligible for awards (trophies, rosettes, certificates) at the Putnam County Fair. Members may be judged for A, B, C ribbons, exhibit projects at the fair and receive premiums, but are ineligible for any other competition.
4. A) There will be two entries allowed in each of the following classes: Breeding Livestock, Mkt. Goats, Beef Feeders, and Dairy Feeder Calves.
4. B) There will be only one entry allowed in each of the following classes: Rabbits and Poultry.
4. C) There will be one entry allowed in each class listed under FFA Classes and 4-H Project Work.
4. D) There will be three entries allowed in the following classes. Single Mkt. Hogs, 3 barrows, 3 gilts or combination consisting of 1 barrow and 2 gilts or 2 barrows and 1 gilt.
4. E) There will be three entries allowed in the following classes. Single Mkt. Lambs, 3 wethers, 3 ewes or combination consisting of 1 ewe and 2 wethers or 2 ewes and 1 wether

OWNERSHIP All Junior Fair Livestock projects must be completely and fully owned including all showing rights, and in complete possession and continual care of the exhibitor. 4-H projects may be owned or formally leased and 4-H members must have the complete and exclusive showing rights during the lease/ownership time. A copy of the horse project lease documentation must be on file with the Extension Office by April 15th of the current year.
HEALTH REGULATIONS If any health papers are required they must be checked by the veterinarian/fair official in charge prior to unloading. A notice will be sent to each specie if health papers are required.
ANIMAL POSSESSION These possession dates for Junior Fair livestock must be adhered to for eligibility at the Putnam County Fair. Heifers/Steers – Jan 1 Goats – April 15 Turkeys – Feb 25 Mkt. Lambs – April 15 Horses – April 15 All Breeding – April 15 Feeder Calves – April 15 Hogs – April 15 Rabbits – May 23 Meat Chicken/Ducks – May 14 Fancy Chickens and Pullets-May 1 2. Substitutions for animals made after the possession dates listed must be made at the discretion of the youth organization involved. Any animal substituted after the possession date will be ineligible for championship classes at the Putnam County Fair.
IDENTIFICATION AND WEIGHIN All market livestock exhibited at the Putnam County Fair must conform to the county animal identification guidelines given below. Mkt. Steer/Mkt. Heifer must have forms and pictures to the Extension Office on or before the January deadline. Mkt. Lamb Eartagged/pictures sent to office by April 18 Mkt Goats Eartagged/pictures sent to office by April 18 Rabbits Tattooed – May 28 Horses Pictures – April 15 Mkt. Hogs Eartagged/pictures sent to office by April 18 Dairy/Beef Feeders Eartagged – pictures sent to offfice by April 18 2. All animals will be weighed only one time at fair weigh-in.
QUALITY ASSURANCE 4-H and FFA exhibitors who failed to fulfill the Youth Quality Assurance requirements mandated by the Ohio Department of Ag and the Putnam County Fair Board are prohibited from showing or selling their projects.
STALL AND HOUSING All Junior Fair exhibitors are required to keep individual animals and quarters clean at all times and must assist in the general cleanliness of the barn. A list of exhibitors whose pens need attention will be notified by the department superintendent. Names appearing twice during the fair will forfeit premiums. Failure to clean out pens following livestock removal can result in forfeiture of premium money and livestock sale checks.
SHOWMANSHIP, LIVESTOCK HANDLING AND GROOMING
1. Senior Showmanship contestants must be 14 years or older and Junior Showmanship contestants must be 13 years and younger as of January 1st of the current year. All showmanship contest participants must show one of their own animals which have been entered in the Jr. Fair. (NO EXCEPTIONS) See species for more details.
2. Every livestock exhibit shall be so trained, that proper handling techniques are used to eliminate any undue stress or injury when manual manipulation is necessary. Any livestock not so trained will be sent home.
3. Each exhibitor must show his own animal at grading or judging times unless he has more than one exhibit to be shown at the same time or is excused in advance. In such a case another Putnam County 4-H Youth member may show for them. (Except in Showmanship)
4. Members are responsible for the care and feeding of their livestock until it is released from the fairgrounds.
5. Refer to ODA livestock health exhibition rules per species for prohibited grooming practices. Grooming practice 901-19-33.
6. Responsibilities of and Assistance to Jr. Fair Exhibitors
  1. A junior livestock show exhibitor shall be responsible for the continuous care, grooming, and preparation of the livestock entered into the junior livestock show.
  2. An exhibitor may receive assistance in the care, grooming, and preparation of the livestock entered in the junior livestock show, provided that the assistance shall be limited to explanation or demonstration provided by the following:
TESTING LIVESTOCK FOR DRUGS
1. All project animal(s) will be subject to pre-fair and fair inspection or testing at any time by designated fair officials or their representatives. Refusal to allow such inspection will disqualify the animal from exhibition and its privileges at the Putnam County Fair.
2. All animals tested will be required to complete a Drug Use Notification Form. It is mandatory that a Drug Use Notification Form be completed for all market animals.
CODE OF PRACTICES
1. Exhibitors sale premiums will be deducted/forfeited if projects are not taken care of throughout fair week. This includes continual washing, feeding, watering and stall cleaning.
2. The following describes general responsibilities of the exhibitor in the proper care and handling of animals raised for food and fiber. To provide food, water and care necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals. To provide a safe and healthy environment for animals, that is clean, well ventilated and provide ample space. To provide a well planned disease prevention program to protect the health of herd or flock. This includes a strong veterinarian/ client relationship. To use humane and sanitary methods when it becomes necessary to dispose of animals. To make timely inspections of all animals to evaluate the health and ensure that all basic requirements are being met. To ensure proper handling techniques are used to eliminate any undue stress or injury when manual manipulation is necessary. To provide transportation for animals that avoids undue stress or injury caused by overcrowding, excessive time in transit or improper handling when loading or unloading. The willful mistreatment of animals or the mistreatment of any animal will not be tolerated. To make management decisions based on scientific fact and to consider the welfare of animals
LIVESTOCK SALE The Junior Fair Livestock Sales will be Friday of the fair, with one trip per exhibitor. Only Jr. Fair exhibitors may consign animals for sale. Exhibitor is responsible for his/her animals until loaded by the purchaser. All other animals not sold will be released Sunday after the fair, according to the schedule. Junior Fair Livestock Rules listed in the book will govern the sale
GENERAL LIVESTOCK
1. Livestock must be brought following the Jr. Fair Schedule. No Junior Fair Livestock is to be unloaded or bedding of pens without approval of the superintendent in charge.
2. All livestock projects will be shown by weight or breed (except horses). 4-H and FFA classes will be combined and show together in Jr. Fair classes.
3. Exhibits may be shown in the Open Class by conforming to the rules of the open class.
TAMPERING “UNETHICAL FITTING”
1. Means to alter or change the natural appearance, weight, musculature or conformation of an animal in an unnatural or artificial manner, including but not limited to, the removal of animal tissue or body part, to cut or tear the hide, to cover, dye or color the hair or hide, to add artificial tailheads, switches, polls, hair or heals, or to administer, feed, give or inject any substance or drug to an animal exhibited, except when medically necessary or when the drug used has been approved for such use by the Food and Drug Administration or United States Department of Agriculture.
2. Special Rule: Any product which changes, enhances, or alters the natural color of an animal will not be permitted. (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PAINTS, DYE, POWDER, NON-CLEAR ADHESIVE AND FORM OR SHOE POLISH).
3. Tampering and/or misrepresentation as to breeding, age, ownership, custody and any other irregularity in showing will be considered fraud and deception.
4. To maintain a high degree of confidence and integrity in livestock shows, any animal fitted in an unethical manner, the exhibitor and the exhibitor’s assistants who fitted the animal involved may be disqualified.
5. The use of any unapproved drugs is prohibited.
6. All exhibitors, their immediate family and any other parties involved in the unethical fitting and showing of an animal will be barred from exhibiting or showing at this fair and will forfeit all premiums, prize money and awards won.
7. 7. A) Should fraud or deception, and proof of wrong doing be discovered after the animal(s) have been shown and prior to the sales, such animal(s) shall not be permitted to sell. The animals placing next in line at the show shall move up.
  1. 7. B) Should violation be discovered after the sale, all sale money shall be returned to the buyer and the animal, carcass or carcass value shall be returned to the exhibitor. All placing in show will stand. No animals will be moved up. Any carcass suspected of being tampered with or suspected of containing drugs will be detained until the investigation is complete.
  2. 7. C) If the carcass is condemned at the packing plant for any reason, it shall be grounds for disqualification in the on-foot and carcass division of the show. Additionally, all premiums and sale money shall be forfeited and the loss of the animal be incurred by the exhibitor.

In the question of any Jr. Fair rule violation, the following due process will be used:
1. The exhibitor and/or parties involved will be questioned by Jr. Fair Ruling Committee. The purpose of the fair ruling committee at the county fair is to arrive at a decision after all alternative solutions have been exhausted.
2. The Jr. Fair Ruling Committee will consist of at least, five (5) individuals from the Jr. Fair Ruling Committee
3. A grievance is to be submitted at the Sr. Fair Board (Secretary’s Office) in writing within 24 hours of the occurrence in a sealed envelope, accompanied by a protest fee of $100.00 which will be retained by the Jr. Fair Ruling Committee if the protest is not sustained.
  1. If unethical practice is suspected by a fair official, due process can be started without a formal grievance.
4. The committee will notify the party(ies) grieved against and the party(ies) have the opportunity of replying within 24 hours of notification.
5. A spokesperson from each side of the dispute will have the opportunity to present their statement to the Jr. Fair Ruling Committee.
6. A grievance will be taken under advisement by the Fair Ruling Committee within 48 hours after notification.
7. Unless a specific penalty is stated in a regulation, the Jr. Fair Ruling Committee can consider any or all of the following:
  1. Lower exhibitor’s letter grade
  2. Withhold exhibitor’s premium
  3. Declare an exhibitor ineligible for awards
  4. Recall awards received by an exhibitor
  5. Revoke State Fair showing rights
  6. Ban exhibitor from showing in future Putnam County Fairs
  7. Revoke exhibitors right to participate in the Livestock sale.
8. All parties will be expected to abide by the decision(s) made by the committee.
9. Once a situation is acted upon by the committee, the decision(s) made by the committee is final.
10. These meetings will be documented and results released.
Any person found guilty of a felony offense resulting from animal tampering or cheating in connection with the showing of an animal in the state of Ohio shall be barred from showing at the Putnam County Fair for life.
An exhibitor who is banned from exhibiting at any other Ohio Fair or any state fair will be banned from participating at the Putnam County Fair.
Fair Ruling Committee reserves the right to turn case to Senior Fair Board

JR. Fair Rules & Regulations

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