What North Dakota 4-H Offers Beyond the Fair
North Dakota 4-H is run through NDSU Extension, and the year is much bigger than one fair week. Members can show projects at a county Achievement Days or county fair, move on to the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, and compete in state contests. NDSU Extension's contests page lists 21 state contests, including Agronomy, Clothing Revue, Communication Arts, Consumer Decision Making, Dairy Cattle Judging, Hippology, Land Judging, Livestock Judging, Meats Judging, Project Expo, Range Judging, Shooting Sports and Sportfishing. The page says members can keep competing past local and regional levels and that winners of some contests are invited to compete nationally.
County Achievement Days and Fairs
Many North Dakota counties hold a 4-H Achievement Days or county fair where members show static (non-living) projects, pets, livestock, small animals and horses. Dates and rules are set county by county, so get your county's fair book from the NDSU Extension office as soon as it is posted. Three examples show how much they differ:
- Ward County, 2025. The 93rd annual Achievement Days ran June 16-19 at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot with 287 Cloverbud and 4-H members ages 5-18. The Livestock Premium Sale was Thursday, June 19, and all events and exhibit halls were free to the public. A Cat and Small Pet Show and a Dog Show were part of the week.
- Renville County, 2026. The county's March newsletter set the fair for June 30 and July 1, with FairEntry registration for livestock and static exhibits due June 10 and static judging on June 29. Members must take part in at least one county event before the fair to show and sell at the Premium Sale.
- Grant County, 2026. The fair book opened FairEntry June 29 with entries due July 27, livestock weigh-in August 13, judging August 14 and the sale August 15.
Static Exhibits and Best of Show
Non-livestock projects are called static exhibits. At Ward County in 2025, 34 judges evaluated more than 1,000 exhibits and listened to more than 250 youth explain what they learned. Best of Show honored one teen (ages 13-18) and one pre-teen (ages 8-12) in each of ten project areas: Animal Science, Civic Engagement, Communication and Expressive Arts, Environmental Education, Family and Consumer Science, Foods and Nutrition, Healthy Living, Personal Development and Leadership, Plant Science, and STEM.
County Contests in the Spring
Renville County's newsletter shows what a spring calendar can look like: a 4-H Showcase for Project Expo and Clothing Revue on April 26, Communication Arts on May 6, and Consumer Decision Making on May 13, with county registration due April 15. A Communication Arts district contest followed May 27 in Rugby, and only district participants can advance to the state contest. Project Expo and Clothing Revue are open to unlimited exhibitors at state, but you must compete at the county level first. Pre-teen (ages 11-12) winners of the four spring contests were invited on a Medora Pre-Teen Awards Trip on June 3-4.
Qualifying for the State Fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot, and the 2027 fair is scheduled for July 23-31, 2027. The State Fair 4-H book sets the rules:
- Exhibitors must be enrolled in North Dakota 4-H through 4-HOnline and were ages 8 to 18 before September 1 of the prior year. Cloverbuds cannot exhibit.
- Static exhibits must have earned a blue ribbon or higher at a county achievement day or fair under NDSU Extension supervision, and all must be entered by the county Extension office.
- Livestock entries go in through 4-HOnline by May 1 (FFA members enter through their advisor).
- Project Expo, Clothing Revue and Communication Arts registration was due in FairEntry on July 6 in 2026.
- Horse exhibitors who earned a blue ribbon in a county 4-H show with the same horse may enter that class.
For 2026, static exhibits were checked in July 11-14 and judged July 14-16 in the 4-H Hall, with pickup on Saturday, July 25, or Sunday, July 26. Posters can use display boards up to 36 by 48 inches or posters up to 14 by 22 inches, and knives and cutting tools are not allowed.
Skill-a-Thon and Other State Contests
The State Livestock Skill-a-Thon is for full-time North Dakota 4-H members. The Junior division is ages 8 to 13 and the Senior division ages 14 to 18, using the age as of December 31 of the previous year (the page words this inconsistently, so confirm the cutoff with organizers). Counties enter teams scored on the three highest individual scores. Registration is at JudgingCard.com, and pre-registration closes two weeks before the contest. Stations include equipment and breed identification, retail meat cuts, wool and hay judging, and a quality assurance exercise.
Practical Tips
- Finish 4-HOnline enrollment early, and add or edit projects before your county's deadline (April 15 in Renville).
- Enter animals in 4-HOnline by May 1; they carry over to FairEntry.
- Ask your Extension agent which county event you need to attend to be eligible to show.
- Keep your blue-ribbon county placings; they are your ticket to the State Fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Achievement Days?
In several North Dakota counties, such as Ward and Stark-Billings, Achievement Days is the name for the county 4-H fair where members show static projects and animals.
Can a Cloverbud go to the State Fair?
No. The State Fair 4-H book says Cloverbuds cannot exhibit there, though Ward County welcomed members as young as 5 at its own event.
Where do I find my county's dates?
Contact your county NDSU Extension office for the current fair book and calendar.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Steele County Communication Arts and Project Expo
4-H communication arts presentations and project exhibits on April 6, 2026, at the Finley-Sharon School with registration required.
Finley, ND | Organizer: Steele County 4-H Official event details - Richland County 4-H Project Expo and Clothing Revue
County 4-H day combining the Project Expo, Clothing Revue, Communication Arts and Consumer Decision Making contests, held April 12, 2026, at Richland 44 School in Colfax.
Colfax, ND | Organizer: Richland County 4-H Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Steele County 4-H Consumer Decision Making Contest
County CDM contest for beginner, junior and senior 4-H members, offered June 18 or June 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Steele County Courthouse Extension Office, with study guides provided.
Finley, ND | Organizer: Steele County 4-H Official event details - Stark-Billings 4-H Achievement Days
Annual 4-H exhibit and judging days at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Dickinson, June 23-25, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with static interview judging on June 22.
Dickinson, ND | Organizer: Stark-Billings County 4-H Official event details - Barnes County 4-H Achievement Days
Three days of 4-H judging for statics, clothing revue and project expo, plus livestock, rabbit, poultry, pet and dog shows, ending with the project parade and sponsor supper. Most recent dates were June 29-July 1, 2026.
700 7th Street SE, Valley City, ND 58072 | Organizer: NDSU Extension Barnes County Official event details - Stark-Billings 4-H Achievement Days
Stark-Billings 4-H Achievement Days during Roughrider Days: static interview judging, horse show, rabbit and poultry show, then the livestock show and premium sale. Most recent dates were June 22-25, 2026.
Dickinson, ND | Organizer: NDSU Extension Stark-Billings County Official event details - LaMoure County 4-H Achievement Days
One-day celebration of local 4-H youth in LaMoure opening with static interview judging, then a small animal show, a chain reaction machine demonstration and a barbecue.
LaMoure, ND | 701-883-6080 | Organizer: NDSU Extension LaMoure County Official event details - Richland County Livestock Showmanship Clinic
Hands-on clinic for 4-H members to practice showmanship before the county livestock show, held June 24, 2026, at the Bagg Bonanza Farm Arena in Mooreton.
Mooreton, ND | Organizer: Richland County 4-H Official event details - Logan County 4-H Achievement Days
Static exhibit judging on June 24 and an open house with awards on June 25 in Napoleon; the 2026 show drew 228 exhibits from 48 exhibitors including 19 Cloverbuds.
Napoleon, ND | Organizer: NDSU Extension Logan County Official event details - Sheridan County 4-H Achievement Days
Livestock show, static judging and a community supper on July 7-8, 2026, at the Hoffer Lake 4-H Building and Grounds north of McClusky.
McClusky, ND | Organizer: Sheridan County 4-H Official event details - Benson County 4-H Achievement Days
Benson County 4-H members celebrate a year of projects and growth at the Benson County Event Center in Maddock, whether or not they win a ribbon. Most recent dates were July 7-9, 2026.
809 Railway Ave, Maddock, ND 58348 | Organizer: NDSU Extension Benson County Official event details - Richland County 4-H Achievement Days Static Judging
Static project interviews and judging for Richland County 4-H Achievement Days, July 10, 2026, at the Hankinson Community Center.
Hankinson, ND | Organizer: Richland County 4-H Official event details - Cass County 4-H Livestock Premium Auction
Morning sale after the Red River Valley Fair where 4-H members ages 8 to 20 sell cattle, sheep, goats and pigs; more than 100 animals sold in 2026 and one topped $10,000. Held each July.
1805 Main Avenue West, West Fargo, ND 58078 | Organizer: Red River Valley Fair Foundation and Cass County 4-H Official event details - Steele County 4-H Achievement Days
Static interview judging and Parade of Champions on July 30, 2026, then rabbit, poultry and livestock shows at the 4-H barn on July 31 at the Hope American Legion area.
Hope, ND | Organizer: Steele County 4-H Official event details - Richland County 4-H Awards Program
Year-end awards night on October 4, 2026, at the Wahpeton Community Center where members receive year pins, project pins, premium checks and special awards.
Wahpeton, ND | Organizer: Richland County 4-H Official event details - Bison Bunch 4-H Club
Nelson County 4-H club based in Lakota, led by DeAnn Galde, Kaitlin Joramo and Josh Joramo.
Lakota, ND - Cavalier County 4-H Clubs
Cavalier County 4-H runs clubs in Langdon, Munich and Hampden, including Langdon Cloverbuds, Munich Magic, Prairie Knights and Maidens, and Prairie Rose.
Langdon, ND - Dakota Eagles 4-H Club
Nelson County 4-H club based in Tolna, led by Esther Donahue, Dani Bjorlie and Nancy Charles.
Tolna, ND - Grant County 4-H Council
Volunteer council that runs the $5 4-H pork barbecue during the Grant County Fair in Carson, helping fund local 4-H youth projects and Achievement Days activities.
Carson, ND - Hettinger County 4-H
Hettinger County 4-H has seven clubs: Clover Buddies, Flickertails and Prairie Rose in Mott, Dakota Sunrise and Western All Stars in Regent, Prairie Clovers in New England, plus a shooting sports club.
Mott, ND Website - Lakota Cloverleaves 4-H Club
Nelson County 4-H club in Lakota led by Margaret Estvold and Brenda Steffan, participating in county Achievement Days each July.
Lakota, ND - Logan County 4-H
Logan County 4-H had 55 registered members in 2026 across the Napoleon Dynamite club and Little 4-H Club on the Prairie, with archery, livestock judging and service projects.
301 Broadway, Napoleon, ND 58561 | 701-754-2504 - McIntosh County 4-H
McIntosh County 4-H clubs include Badger Bunch, Flickertail and the Lil Stampede Cloverbuds, which meet monthly on the third Sunday around Wishek.
Wishek, ND Website - North Dakota 4-H Youth Development
NDSU Extension program that runs county and state 4-H camps, contests, projects and leadership events such as the February Leadership Awareness Weekend.
Fargo, ND | 701-231-7251 - Oliver County 4-H
Oliver County 4-H runs six clubs: Manley Mixers, Hannover Stars, Square Butte Blue Ribbon, Prairie Angels, Country Roots and Bluegrass Branders.
Center, ND - Pierce County 4-H
Pierce County 4-H office in Rugby offering hands-on projects, activities and events open to all youth in the county.
240 2nd Street Southeast, Rugby, ND 58368 | (701) 776-6234 Website - Rolette County 4-H Clubs
Rolette County 4-H clubs include Kyle Clovers (Club 310), Rolette Roughriders (Club 510) and a Horse Club (Club 610), supported by the NDSU Extension county office.
Rolla, ND - Slope County 4-H and NDSU Extension
Slope County 4-H program offering projects, contests and camp opportunities for youth, organized by local clubs with NDSU Extension county office staff.
Amidon, ND - Wells County 4-H Clubs
Wells County 4-H clubs include the Bowdon Blazers, Bremen Friendly Neighbors and Lonetree Livewires.
Fessenden, ND
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.