Participating in the Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf Exhibit

The Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit allows Mississippi 4-H members ages 8–9 years old explore and share what they have learned in a noncompetitive environment. This means all participants in the Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit are recognized for participating and are not competitively ranked.

A Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit tells a story to an audience about a 4-H member’s project. These exhibits may be used for teaching at 4-H club meetings, district 4-H project achievement days, or fairs.

Please keep the exhibit less than 3 feet by 3 feet. Everything must fit on a small card table. The exhibit should include a small poster or sign with the title as well as props or materials to convey a story about the 4-H project. You may attach the sign to the front of your table or place it on top in the form of a table tent. You, the 4-H member, are responsible for providing your exhibit and table.

You should be prepared to tell and respond to questions about your exhibit. This type of exhibit teaches you to do the following:

• Express yourself clearly
• Organize ideas in a logical order
• Develop self-confidence

Where Do You Start?

The best starting point is to use something you know about as the subject for your exhibit. For instance, if you are in the foods and nutrition project and have learned how to bake really good cookies, this might be your subject. If you like to collect bugs, you may want to do an exhibit on making a bug collection. Another topic might be something related to your pet. Try not to have too broad of a subject. Think in terms of one simple but interesting idea that you understand and can explain fully.

Now that You Have Your Topic, What Do You Do?

Think about how you can share your subject or topic with others and what materials you may need to describe your project. This is called planning. To help you in the planning process, use the following guidelines:

• First, choose a catchy title or main heading for your exhibit, one that will attract the viewers’ interest and make them look at the entire exhibit. This can be displayed on a small sign on top of the table or attached to the front of the table. For instance, a title for an exhibit on baking cookies might be “Sweets for the Sweet.”
• Next, think about what materials you will need to have in your exhibit. Again thinking of the exhibit on baking cookies, you would want to have the recipe, a bowl, measuring spoons, baking sheets, ingredients, and even a plate or basket of cookies! Remember: you want everything to fit on your display table, and it should be neat and organized.

Get Ready to Present Your Exhibit

The materials are just half of your Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit. You also need to prepare to talk about your project. When it is your turn:

• Explain what the exhibit is about and tell about all of the materials you have brought representing your project. This should not be a visual presentation speech! You will get that opportunity when you reach 10 years old.
• Be prepared to answer any questions about your exhibit.
• Stand up straight and speak clearly when you talk about your exhibit. Those who are listening to you want to hear everything you have to share with them. Don’t forget, just like your exhibit, your appearance should be neat and tidy.

District 4-H Project Achievement Day Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf Exhibit Contest Rules

• A 4-H member must be 8 years old before January 1 of the current year and not have reached his or her 10th birthday before January 1 of the same year.
• All participants in the 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit will receive recognition for participating and will not be ranked nor compared to other participants.
• The 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit will consist of:
• a) an exhibit related to the 4-H’ers project
• b) an interview in which the 4-H member talks about and answers questions about the exhibit.
• The exhibit must be made or produced by the 4-H member and relate to his or her 4-H project. Ideas may be taken from 4-H project books or other sources.
• A 4-H’er may enter only one exhibit.
• The 4-H’er will be required to stay with the exhibit until dismissed.
• A Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit should include a title sign displayed on top of or attached to the front of the table, materials related to the project, and a table for displaying everything.
• The exhibit cannot include live animals.
• The exhibit must not occupy an area larger than 3 feet by 3 feet.
• 4-H members are responsible for furnishing all materials and table.
• Electrical outlets will not be available to use with exhibits.
• A county may enter an unlimited number of participants in the Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit.
• Three-sided science fair project-type boards will NOT be allowed in the Mississippi 4-H Cloverleaf exhibit. 4-H members will be disqualified from participating in the district 4-H Project Achievement Day Cloverleaf exhibit if they use a three-sided science fair project-type board.

Information Sheet 1653 (POD-04-23)

Reviewed by Mariah S. Morgan, PhD, Associate Extension Professor, Center for 4-H Youth Development. Written by Rae Oldham, PhD, Extension Professor (retired).