WHY 4-H FAIR DANISH AWARDS? Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Program Coordinator Summer returns with all its bounty, forests full of foliage, new generations of animals and agricultural crops coming into fruition. So too a season of county fairs to exhibit and celebrate this bounty. Youth programs such as 4-H eagerly anticipate the annual rituals of fair as a means of showcasing the products of a year’s project work. More than just exhibitions, these 4-H showcases are part of the learning experience. Evaluations provide written feedback and in some cases face to face interactions, to help youth prepare for next steps toward project mastery. Danish Awards, the red, white, and blue ribbons on display are tools in that process. Important to evaluations is the inclusion of youth reflection on project experiences, as much as the opportunity to receive specific feedback on what has been accomplished and what still can be improved. Appropriate recognition for accomplishments can inspire young people to go further in their endeavors and achieve more. It also helps youth assess skills gained, learn how to set realistic goals, and recognize the steps of achievement in realizing these goals. To support “Learning by Page 22
Doing” youth development objectives, 4-H employs the Danish Award System: entries judged against the standard for the class for an exhibitor’s age and level of experience. Thus, exhibits aren’t ranked amongst other items and exhibitors not placed against other exhibitors. A red Danish indicates a balance of standard criteria was satisfactorily met for the class; a white Danish signals the entry may have fallen short in some of the criteria; a blue Danish represents not necessarily perfection, but a high degree of achievement in the majority of elements for the class standards. Last, but not least, are the rainbow colored ribbons seen throughout the exhibition. These “Cloverbud” ribbons are reserved for the 5-7 year old exhibitors who are not Extension Connection
July 2021
developmentally ready for understanding Danish Awards, yet still have the benefits of sharing their project stories with evaluators and receiving feedback and encouragement for their efforts. The annual Sullivan County Youth Fair, August 11-15, on the Grahamsville Fairgrounds during Little World’s Fair is an opportunity for all county youth, age 5-18 to enter exhibits, including youth enrolled in the 4-H Youth Development Program, non4-H youth who are residents of areas served by Sullivan County schools, or FFA members in good standing and enrolled in agricultural classes in Sullivan County. Youth Fair entry information is available at http:// sullivancce.org/4-h-youthdevelopment/4-h-formsnews.
