What Delta District 4-H O-Rama Is
O-Rama is described by Arkansas 4-H as the culmination of a 4-H member's year of hard work and dedication. It adds a competitive stage to the project work members do in their county 4-H programs, with about 40 competitive events in all. Contests run at the county, district and state levels, and most require a member to qualify at the earlier levels first.
The Delta District O-Rama is the district round for the eastern part of the state. It was held on June 11, 2026, at Eastern Arkansas Community College in Forrest City. The other two district rounds in 2026 were the Ouachita District on June 9 at Malvern High School and the Ozark District on June 10 at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. State O-Rama followed on July 20-23, 2026, at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Contests You Can Enter
District contests include:
- Animal Science, Livestock ID, Horse, Poultry Skill-a-thon and Vet Science Talk
- Crop and Weed ID, Horticulture, Forestry, Entomology (Collection and Talk), Wildlife and Environmental Stewardship
- Fashion Revue (Constructed-Modified and Purchased), Food Fair, FCS Presentation, Human Development and Health
- Public Speaking, Citizenship, Innovative Technology, Photography and Safety
- Performing Arts (Dance, Instrumental, Vocal)
- Baitcasting and Sportfishing, Bicycle and Gun Safety-BB Gun
Some contests are held only at state, including Archery, ATV Safety, Consumer Decision Making, Food Bowl, Impromptu Public Speaking, Interior Design, Livestock Sales Talk, Parliamentary Procedure, Tractor Driving, Welding and the new Vet Science Contest for 2026.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Competitors must be active members of the Arkansas 4-H Youth Development Program, enrolled in the same county program as their team.
- Divisions go by age as of January 1 of the current year, not by grade: Junior is ages 9-13 and Senior is ages 14-19. The Intermediate division was not offered in 2026.
- Age 8 members may attend as Junior Observers with no registration fee. Cloverbuds cannot compete.
- At district, each member may enter only one contest. Most contests allow two youth per division per county, though some allow one, three or four, or a team of four or five.
- Group entries cannot mix junior and senior members.
- Illustrated talks run 2-5 minutes for juniors and 5-8 minutes for seniors. Commercial slides are not allowed in PowerPoint presentations, and cameras and cell phones are not permitted in contest rooms.
- Results are final once announced.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 Edition)
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Late February | Rules and guidelines released |
| May 19 | District registration deadline |
| June 2 | PowerPoint files for district due to the specialist by noon |
| June 11 | Delta District O-Rama, Forrest City |
| June 22 | State registration deadline |
| July 20-23 | State O-Rama, Fayetteville |
Fees and What You Get
District O-Rama costs $20 per competing member. Once county approval is granted, fees are not refunded, except in cases such as a death in the immediate family, serious illness or accident, or event cancellation, which are refunded minus expenses already incurred. State O-Rama costs $190 for youth and $195 for adults for the Monday-Thursday program, or $70 part-time.
Seniors who place 1st through 7th at district are eligible to compete in the same contest at state. State first-place teams and individuals in listed contests can advance to national events, including the FCS National Championship and Conference in San Antonio and the Western National Roundup in Denver. State winners are recognized at the Thursday awards program, and the Awards of Excellence Ceremony honors the Governor's Award, scholarship recipients and State Record Book winners.
How to Register
Registration goes through the 4-H enrollment and event system, and county agents review registrations before county approval. Members and parents are responsible for registering correctly and on time. Requests for accommodations go through the same system.
Questions
Can my 8-year-old compete?
No. Age 8 members can attend as Junior Observers and take part in officer elections and the community service project, but only ages 9-19 compete.
Can I enter more than one contest at district?
No. Each member may enter only one contest at district.
Who do I call?
For eligibility and participation, contact your County Extension Office. For O-Rama event questions, the Arkansas 4-H office events coordinator is Priscella Thomas-Scott at 501-671-2271.
Official Links
- Arkansas 4-H O-Rama: dates, locations, fees and contest list
- 2026 O-Rama guide: eligibility, deadlines and rules
University of Arkansas Extension: The Essentials
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and has a physical office in each of Arkansas's 75 counties, per the Extension "About" page.
What it offers
Four program areas: 4-H and youth development, agriculture and natural resources, community, professional and economic development, and family and consumer sciences. Farmers get help with crop pests, soil testing, livestock and marketing, and homeowners with lawns, water quality and timber.
4-H
New members can join at any time at no cost, and returning members re-enroll September 1 through December 31, per the Division of Agriculture. The county 4-H agent matches each child to a club.
Next steps
Find your county office at uaex.uada.edu/counties, or call the state office at 501-671-2000 or toll-free 888-884-5565.
Read the full guide: University of Arkansas Extension: County Offices, 4-H and Help for Producers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- St. Francis County Fair
Held each year at the Wyley T Jones Fairgrounds in Forrest City; the most recent run was October 17-24, 2026.
3212 Highway 1 South, Forrest City, AR | Organizer: St. Francis County Fair Association Official event details - Arkansas Pecan Festival
Pecan festival on Main Street in Keo, scheduled for December 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street, Keo, AR 72083 Official event details - Arkansas Rice Festival
Rice-themed festival in downtown Weiner, scheduled for October 9, 2027.
Weiner, AR Official event details - Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 3-5, 2025 (91st convention). Includes a public trade show with 180+ vendors, a farmers market, workshops and elections of state leaders.
- Four States Agricultural Expo
Annual research and best-practices expo for area growers, held at the Four States Fair and Rodeo grounds in Texarkana; the most recent date was February 12, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.