Rules

Copyright 2008 HFFCF

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	1.1 EXHIBIT RULES The Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair is open to members of the Alexander Valley, Healdsburg, Gateway, Shiloh, Warm Springs and Westside 4-H Clubs who reside in Healdsburg, Geyserville or Windsor High School District, including those members residing on Shiloh Road., are eligible to enter. 4-H mini members may enter as participants only and will receive participation ribbons only. Entry forms will be available from community leaders and are due May 1. Exhibitors may enter a maximum of four (4) items in each project in which they are enrolled. Exhibits are to be brought to the tent on the Fairgrounds Wednesday between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm or on Thursday between 9:00 am and 10:00 am. There will be no entries accepted before or after the time stated. Any exhibit dropped off without being checked by an attendant will not be displayed or judged. Each exhibit needs to be labeled with name, club, year in project and category entered. Judging will begin at 10:00 am Thursday. The Danish system of judging will be used. There is a pamphlet available entitled “State Rules and Scorecards for California Fairs” available through the Farm & Home Advisors Office for the use of leaders or members. Special awards will be given to the outstanding exhibitor in projects in which three (3) or more persons have entered. The Mary Palmer Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the club obtaining the highest ribbon point score, divided by the total number of members entered. Ribbon points to be 4-3-2-1. All exhibits must be picked up between 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday. There will be an adult in attendance to help. If anyone is unable to pick up their exhibits during this hour, we suggest you ask another member, or the leader of your club to pick them up for you. The Fair Board will not be responsible for any exhibit remaining after 3:00 pm Saturday. 2.1 LIVESTOCK RULES The Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair is open to members of the Alexander Valley, Gateway, Healdsburg, Shiloh, Warm Springs and Westside 4-H Clubs and those enrolled in Vocational Agriculture classes at Healdsburg High School and be members of The Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.). Members must reside in the Healdsburg High School, Geyserville High School or Windsor High School Districts. Including those members residing on Shiloh Road. Self Determined Projects are ineligible to exhibit livestock All members must be members in good standing for eligibility. A member in good standing is a member of 4-H or FFA who has attended 80% of his or her project and community meetings, and has completed his or her projects from the previous year including a complete project record book. On all matters not specifically covered, the rules of the Master Premium Book of California Fair and Exposition may be used as a guide by the Fair Management. The H.F.F.C.F. Board Rules and By Laws Committee will judicate all matters pertaining to the rules and their decision will be final. Changes or additions of divisions or classes will be considered only by petition to the Fair Board nine months in advance of the fair date. No animal will be groomed by an adult at the Fair. Any grooming of animals, on the fair grounds, must be done by participants of this fair only. We further encourage this at club and chapter levels. All entries must be made on official entry blanks furnished by the Fair Management and must be signed by Club Project Leader and Club Community Leader or the Chapter Advisor, who will attest to the members’ good standing and to the validity of the entries. The Fair Management may demand proof of ownership and proof of residence, as it deems necessary in each case. The Fair Management has the right to limit entries. All 4-H Clubs and F.F.A. Chapters will receive copies of the livestock and exhibit rules and be responsible for informing their respective member of these rules. All livestock entries must be post marked or received by April 1^st at H.F.F.C.F., P.O. Box 763, Healdsburg, CA 95448 from the respective club or chapter leader. The Fair Management shall not be responsible for accidents or loss that may occur to any entry, exhibit or exhibitor at the show, and the exhibitor shall hold the Fair Management Harmless and indemnify it against any legal proceedings arising from such accident or loss. The Fair Management shall reserve the right to vacate and make ineligible for competition or order the removal of any entry with blemishes, prolepses, abscesses or any other defect which is not in the best interest of the fair or endangers the public or which has been entered in violation of these rules and regulations. Each animal or exhibit must be part of a recognized project of the organization under whose supervision it is developed. Care, control, and ownership is required at least 30 days for Breeding Rabbits, Poultry and Market Poultry, 60 days for Sheep, Swine, and Market Rabbits and 120 days for Cattle and Horses before it is exhibited. No animal on exhibition can be removed from the Fairgrounds before the close of the fair. All sifted animals must be removed from the fairgrounds immediately except as stated below. If this is the only animal available for showmanship, the animal may remain until the showmanship class. After completion of the class the animal must be removed. All non-sale animals (breeding stock) must be removed from the fairgrounds after their class. Under no circumstances may an exhibitor show the same type of livestock (Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Rabbit, Poultry or Horse) in both 4-H and F.F.A. sections of the Fair. FFA and 4-H Arrival and Weigh-in Times. Failure to observe proper arrival times will result in the exhibitor being disqualified. All F.F.A. livestock will be received until 9:00 am on Wednesday. Weigh-ins for FFA livestock will occur at noon on Wednesday. 4-H Beef will be received between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Wednesday. 4-H Sheep will be received between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm on Wednesday. Weigh-ins for 4-H Beef will occur at 5:00 pm on Wednesday. Weigh-ins for 4-H Sheep will occur between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm on Wednesday. All 4-H Hogs will be received by 9:00 am on Thursday. Weigh-ins for 4-H Hogs will follow on Thursday. All Market Rabbits and Market Poultry must be in place and ready for weigh-in Friday morning by 8:30 am. There will be a mandatory exhibitor meeting at the Fair Grounds; all exhibitors must attend. Time & Place will be announced and posted. The number of market animals entered by any exhibitor shall be limited to two (2) animals, one of which may be a Steer, as pen of Market Rabbits consisting of three (3) rabbits or a pen of Market Poultry consisting of two (2) birds, shall be considered one market animal. No entries will be accepted in Market Classes that do not meet the following specifications 2.2 LAMBS Weight: 100-open (auction pays only to 130 lbs.) Age: all animals must be born after October first of the year preceding the Fair. Shrink: all lambs will be shrunk 3% Fleece: All market lambs must have been slick shorn no more than 7(seven) days prior to weigh in. Shearing shall not be permitted on the Fair Ground. Tail Docking: To qualify for exhibit, lambs must be docked such that the tail dock is healed and can be lifted from the exterior. Mandatory weigh-in will be held approximately 60 days before the fair. At that time, wool and hair samples will be collected. Lambs must be shown with the front feet on the ground. 2.3 SWINE Weight: 210-270 lbs. (auction pays only to 240 lbs.) Shrink: all swine will be shrunk 3% Clipping or hair removal of any kind on market swine is not permitted on the fair grounds 2.4 BEEF Weight: 1,000 lbs.-open (auction pays only to 1200 lbs.) All Market Beef entries shall be accompanied by a certificate of ownership by exhibitor or bill of sale and brand inspection, if purchased, and a State of California Bill of Sale ship (trip ticket). No horned steers All steers must be ear tagged and weighed at mandatory weigh-in in January preceding the fair to be eligible. Shrink: all beef will be shrunk 3% Cattle must be manageable and under the control of the exhibitor at all times. 2.5 POULTRY Market birds limited to two (2) pens (containing two (2) birds each) per exhibitor. Market birds must weigh between 3 and 6 lbs. each. Breeding stock must be purebred. All birds must be free of parasites. Birds showing any sign of parasites will be disqualified and/or asked to leave. Each pen of market birds will be exhibited and auctioned in its own approved carrying cage. 2.6 RABBITS ARBA specifications will be observed Market pens limited to two (2) pens (containing three (3) rabbits each of the same breed) per exhibitor. Ownership required 60 days before the fair. In breeding rabbit competition, there will be a limit of two (2) rabbits per class per division (not to exceed twelve (12) breeding rabbits) per exhibitor. Market rabbit must weigh between 3.5 lbs. and 5 lbs. each, and cannot be over 69 days old. Each pen of market rabbits will be exhibited and auctioned in its own approved carrying cage. 2.7 LIGHT HORSE Proper FFA or 4-H uniforms must be worn for showmanship. All other class exhibitors may change into blue black or jeans or appropriate English breeches with a white shirt with a 4-H scarf or FFA tie. FFA jackets are not required but welcomed. Helmets are required by law. Boots must be worn in all classes. No chaps allowed. Horses who appear unmanageable or are seen as unsafe to either rider or other exhibitors will be dismissed from the class. Judges and/or Fair Management reserve the right to make judgments or allowances in regard to tack or attire. All exhibitors must compete in 2 classes other than Showmanship to be eligible for Round Robin. Horse and exhibitor are to be judged by the rules published in the 4-H Light Horse Project Manual. Stallions, un-weaned foals or mares with foals at the side may not be shown. Horses may not be warmed up or schooled by anyone but the exhibitor from the time they arrive at the show grounds. 3.1 ANIMAL WELFARE To insure the welfare of the animals under our control, we need to practice sound animal husbandry practices that minimize the stress to these animals. Therefore, welfare considerations must prohibit muzzles, physical abuse of an animal and the withholding of feed and/or water. The exhibitor must maintain feed and water until the animal is sold and returned to its pen. Bedding materials must be the same type as those supplied by the H.F.F.C.F. Board. 4.1 SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES All exhibitors must show in every Showmanship class for each species they exhibit or participation in the auction is prohibited. All exhibitors who qualify for Round Robin are required to participate as a further condition to sell at the auction. Entry forms must be completed in advance. Classes are as follows: 4-H Novice 4-H: Any exhibitor who has not shown this species of livestock in any fair before and has less than three years experience showing any animal. Winners in Novice Showmanship advance to his/her respective age group in further participation. Junior 4-H: ages 9-13 as of January 1^st. Senior 4-H: 14 years and older as of January 1^st. F.F.A. Novice F.F.A. - Novice is an exhibitor who has not shown this species of livestock in any fair before and has less than three years experience showing any animal. FFA- Open Class for FFA exhibitors 4.2 ROUND ROBIN SHOWMANSHIP: All eligible exhibitors are required to show in Round Robin 4-H Jr. Round Robin: Open to junior exhibitors winning first and second place showmanship in their respective classes. 4-H Sr. Round Robin: Open to senior 4-H exhibitors winning first and second place showmanship in their respective classes. F.F.A. Round Robin: Open to F.F.A. exhibitors winning firs and second place showmanship in their respective classes. 5.1 AUCTION All grade one animals will be sold. Additional animals shall be sold as to bring the total number of animals sold up to 15 steers, 210 hogs, lambs, rabbits and poultry combined. Lamb groups 1, & 2, hogs groups 1 & 2, beef group 1 & 2 may be sold according to the limit. All beef, group 1 lambs and group 1 hogs will be sold as individuals. At the discretion of the Fair Management, all other sale animals may be sold in lots of 2 or more. All market entries will be auctioned, except as limits set in previous rules. The only animals that can be offered for sale are those that qualify for the auction. All animals will be displayed in their natural form. Decorations and/or adornments are prohibited. (i.e. painting, clothing, bows, designs, etc.) All market entries sold will be shipped for processing. Actual weight of hogs, steers and lambs will be used by the fair management only. A 6% Commission shall be deducted from the selling price of all animals sold at auction. Proceeds will be deposited in the auction promotional fund and scholarship fund. All thank-you notes for the Auction and the Awards must be received and approved within 10 days of the auction or participation in next year’s Fair will be prohibited and the exhibitor will only receive payment of the market price. The Fair Management reserves the right to require health inspections and diagnostic test to be made before or after animal are on the Fairgrounds. Also, the right is reserved by the Fair Management to order and cause preemptory removal from the grounds of any animal which does not in every respect meet health requirements. Under no circumstances will the management be held liable in any way for removal. 6.1 JUDGING Each exhibitor shall be expected to show his/her exhibit or animal in accordance with the time scheduled for judging printed in the official program or changed by the Fair Management, and may be disqualified for failure to make proper arrangements in advance with the Livestock and Auction Chairperson. All exhibitors must be in the uniforms of their organization during judging, showmanship and awards. F.F.A. members are to be in official uniform. 4-H members are to be in white pants, white shirts, 4-H ties and 4-H hats. No person shall be allowed under any circumstances to interfere with the judge or judges during their adjudications, or to offer any criticism of any exhibit or exhibitor. Violators of this rule shall be excluded immediately from the judging ring and/or Fairgrounds and/or competition, and can be subject to such additional penalties and cancellation of awards as the Fair Management shall consider proper. The Fair Management may report violators of the rule to the Division of Fairs and Expositions in writing and such report may become the basis of any other fair to refuse entries on the grounds of such misconduct. Any exhibitor making a protest shall lodge such written protest with the President and must deposit $25.00 before the protest will be considered. The deposit will be forfeited if the protest is not sustained. Protests shall be adjudicated by the H.F.F.C.F. Rules Committee. The burden of proof will be placed on the exhibitor making the protest. 4-H and F.F.A. classes may be combined if competition does not warrant separate classes. In the Breeding Classes all breeds of the same species will be entered together as a class. But classes may be split at the discretion of the Livestock Committee after the close of the entries. In Breeding Classes, there must be competition for a class to be held. Competition is defined as 2 or more animals of the same specie owned by different exhibitors. The judge shall award first, second or third place, etc. in breeding classes according to merit; and without merit, the judge shall make no award. The judge may award Championship at his discretion for superior animals 7.1 MARKET BEEF SCORECARD Grade: Market Ready – Steers projected to have fat deposition to meet the marbling specifications for USDA Prime, Choice, or Select and quality grades…Sell Not Market Ready: - Market steers lacking evidence of sufficient fat deposition to produce a desirable consumer product. Steers projected to grad UNDA Select or lower… Does Not Sell 7.2 MARKET LAMB SCORECARD GRADE: Market Ready – USDA Prime or Choice quality with 12^th rib back fat range .16 - .35 average or greater confirmation and cutability…..Sell Not Market Ready – Good or lower quality grade with 12^th rib back fat range .16 - .35; under finished lambs grading USDA good or lower, below average conformation or cutability….Does Not Sell 7.3 MARKET HOG SCORECARD GRADE: Market Ready: - US Number 1 and US Number 2 hogs of average or greater conformation that are acceptable in leanness, muscularity and production traits…Sell Not Market Ready: - Any hog of below average conformation including US Number 3 and US Number 4 and utility grade hogs….Does Not Sell Any changes that were made to the rules for this year will be noted in bold & blue.