Home & Family Arts Competition

CATEGORY 1 – FOOD PRESERVATION

Label products with the name of the product, month, year, and method of processing: water bath, pressure, or dehydration. A recipe is not required. Please note: No products in the food preservation category will be taste tested. All canning products must be in standard canning jars with two-piece lids. Leave the band on the jar. Jams and jellies may be opened for judging. Paraffin is not an accepted method for sealing jars. Frozen jams and jellies will be kept frozen until judged. After judging, they will be returned to the participant.

DIVISION A – JELLIES, JAMS, PRESERVES, BUTTERS

Class Number

0101 - Jelly, any variety

0102 - Any other variety of Jams, Preserves, Conserves, Fruit Butter 0103 - Frozen Jams & Jellies, all varieties

0104 - Diabetic Jams & Jellies

DIVISION B – VEGETABLES

Class Number

0201 - Green, Yellow, Waxed Beans

0202 - Any other variety of vegetable

0203 - Tomatoes

DIVISION C – FRUITS

Class Number

0204 - Any variety of fruit

DIVISION D – PICKLED ITEMS

Class Number

0205 - Dill Pickles

0206 - Sweet Pickles

0207 - Miscellaneous Pickled Items

DIVISION E – SAUCES, JUICES, CONDIMENTS

Class Number

0208 - Any variety juice

0209 - Any variety sauce

0210 - Miscellaneous Condiments

DIVISION F – MISCELLANEOUS CANNED GOODS

Class Number

0211 - Soups

0212 - Meats

DIVISION G – DEHYDRATED FOODS

Class Number

0213 - Herbs

0214 - Meats

0215 - Fruits and Vegetables

CATEGORY 2 – CULINARY

Bring the amount of product listed for judging. All products should be placed on sturdy cardboard or paper plates and covered with plastic wrap or placed in a reclosable plastic bag.

CULINARY COMPETITION RULES: Filling, frosting, glazing, pie filling, and meringue, whether uncooked or cooked, are not permitted to contain custard, cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, or whipped cream. This includes pies made with eggs (e.g., pecan, pumpkin, lemon, etc.). The nature of these products increases the food’s moisture content and water activity. Foods with higher moisture content and water activity can be ideal for the growth of foodborne pathogens, even when ingredients are baked in a batter. Additionally, unpasteurized milk (raw or raw milk products) or uncooked eggs/egg whites are prohibited. Pasteurized eggs or eggs cooked to 160ºF may be used. No home-canned fruits, vegetables, or meats are permitted in products. Any product may be entered as a regular product, a diabetic recipe with reduced sugar, or gluten-free. Please be sure to label the product. Contestants should carefully wash their hands and ensure they have no open cuts before preparing food. Contestants are not to prepare food exhibits for competition within 48 hours of recovering from any illness. Baked products should be transported and stored in chilled coolers (41ºF) whenever possible. Recipes must be provided that show which ingredients were used in each part of the product. All products must include the recipe to be considered for a champion or sweepstakes award.

DIVISION H - BREADS (Note: Two sweepstake awards will be given in this division. One for yeast breads and one for non-yeast breads.)

Class Number

0301 - Yeast Bread or Rolls Yeast

0302 - Sourdough

0303 - Fancy Breads 1/2 loaf or four rolls 1/2 loaf or four rolls 1/2 loaf or four rolls Non-Yeast

0304 - Coffee Cake

0305 - Muffins

0306 - Quick Breads & Scones

DIVISION I – COOKIES

Class Number

0401 - Any Cookie

0402 - Bar Cookies

0403 - Cake Mix or Brownie Mix Cookies 1/2 or whole 4 muffins 1/2 loaf or 2 scones 6 cookies 6 cookies 6 cookies

DIVISION J – CAKES 

Class Number

0501 - Basic Butter Cake (made with solid shortening), e.g., yellow, chocolate, spice, white, pound - not iced 

0502 - Bundt Cake, all kinds

0503 - Angel or Chiffon Cake, all flavors

0504 - Creative box mix, addition to mix, include recipe

DIVISION K – PIES:  Pies should be in disposable pie tins and covered with plastic wrap or placed in a reclosable plastic bag. Pies may be in pans 4 inches in diameter or larger.

Class Number

0601 - One or two-crust fruit pie 1 whole

0602 - Any other fruit pastry (e.g.: fried pies, turnovers, tarts, etc.) 2

DIVISION L – HOMEMADE CANDY

Class Number

0701 – Homemade Candy

CATEGORY 3 – HANDIWORK

6 pieces. All articles must have been made by the exhibitor since last year’s fair exhibit, except quilts made within the previous two years. Optional: The exhibit may include a 3 “x 5” notecard explaining each item. All pictures must be framed and ready to hang. Everything else must be finished for the article’s intended use. All framed needlework needs a covering. SOILED ARTICLES WILL NOT BE JUDGED OR DISPLAYED.

DIVISION M - KNITTING

Class Number

0801 - Afghans & Blankets (adult or baby), hand-knitted

0802 - Other items, hand-knit

DIVISION N – CROCHETING

Class Number

0901 - Afghans & Blankets (adult or baby), crocheted

0902 - Other items, crocheted

DIVISION O - NEEDLE ARTS, CROSS STITCH, MACHINE EMBROIDERY

Class Number

1001 - Any article with needlepoint, chicken scratch, cross stitch, or embroidery, etc. 1002 - Any wool work, rug hooking, or wool felt

1003 - Machine embroidery

DIVISION P - QUILTS

Although this is not a quilt show, quilts will be displayed as best as possible. Must supply “NAME OF QUILTER” for all class numbers. (Note: Two sweepstake awards will be given in this division. One is for hand-quilted items, and one is for machine-quilted items.)

Class Number

1101 - Hand Quilted by Entrant

1102 - Hand Quilted by Other

1103 - Hand Quilted Misc. Items (E.g., table runners, wall hangings, etc.)

1104 - Machine Quilted by Entrant

1105 - Machine Quilted by Other

1106 - Machine Quilted Items (E.g.: table runners, wall hangings, etc.)

DIVISION Q - WOODWORKING

Class Number

1201 - Handmade Items

1202 - Refinished Items

DIVISION R - GENERAL CRAFTS (Note: Two sweepstake awards will be given in this division. One for item numbers 1301-1303 and one for item numbers 1304-1306.)

Class Number

1301 - Stamping, Paper Crafts, Embossing

1302 - Wreaths

1303 - Decorative Painting (e.g., tole, bird houses, china painting, etc.)

1304 - Jewelry, Beading

1305 - Miscellaneous (e.g.: home décor)

1306 - Basket Weaving

DIVISION S - DOLLS & ANIMALS

Class Number

1401 - Handmade Dolls

1402 - Handmade Animals

1403 - Doll Clothing, sewn, knitted, or crocheted

DIVISION T - WEARABLE ART (GARMENTS)

Class Number

1501 - Adult

1502 - Children

DIVISION U - HOLIDAYS AT THE FAIR

Class Number

1601 - Any Holiday Item

CATEGORY 4 - FINE ARTS All entries must be ready to hang with a wire hanger unless it is a sit-alone or is placed on an easel. Drawings, pastels, and sketches must be matted.

DIVISION V - PAINTINGS & DRAWINGS

Class Number

1701 - Paintings - may include some fine detail work with pencil or ink

1702 - Drawings or Sketches - may use other media for detail

1703 - Mixed Media - combines different painting and drawing materials and methods. Any material, including collage items such as magazines, newspapers, photographs, fabric, soil, or packaging, can be used. It may be 2D or 3D.

DIVISION W - PHOTOGRAPHY

All entries must be framed and ready to hang with a wire hanger. Entries may be no larger than 11” x 14”, excluding matte and frame. Class Number 1801 - Black and White 1802 - Color 1803 - Set of 2 to 4 prints (no larger than 5” x 7” each) framed together

CATEGORY 5 - RECYCLING DIVISION X - RECYCLING Recycling is to upcycle one or more items that were previously used for something else. E.g.: plastic bottles and bags, old blue jeans, items from nature, old bed frames, old tires, etc. Optional: This may include an index card explaining what was used.

Class Number

1901 - Any Article

CATEGORY 6 - GARDENING DIVISION Y - GARDENING

Display all vegetables and herbs on a paper plate. Label all vegetables and herbs with their common name and variety.

Class Number

2001 - Single plate of vegetables grown by entrant

2002 - Collection of three plates of different vegetables grown by the entrant (e.g., one plate of tomatoes, one plate of green beans, and one plate of potatoes)

2003 - Single plate of herb grown by entrant

CATEGORY 7 - SPECIAL CATEGORY DIVISION Z - PLACEMAT

All exhibited placemats can measure up to 14” x 20” and can be any shape, made from materials and techniques such as plastic, canvas, crochet, quilting, or other materials.

Class Number

2101 - Table Runner

GENERAL RULES

1. Please note the schedule of events. Do not enter if you cannot exhibit as scheduled. You must abide by the schedule. This applies to general and category rules. You may arrange for someone to drop off and pick up your projects on your behalf on the designated days. There will be NO REFUNDS of entry fees.
2.  An individual exhibitor may enter only one item in each class number.
3. Any item not pre-registered is not eligible for a Champion, Reserve Champion, or Sweepstake Ribbon.
4. Any Howard County or adjacent county resident, 18 years or older, not enrolled in 4-H, may enter the Home & Family Arts Competition.
5. Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
6. Winners are not sent to the Indiana State Fair. You must submit a separate application to the Indiana State Fair.
7. A prepaid entry fee is required from all exhibitors. Entry deadline is June 6, 2025. Send the payment with an entry form. Make checks payable to Nancy Newell. The participation fee is $6.00 per person.
8. Entry tags must be attached to each entry. The Extension Office will provide tags and distribute them at check-in.
9. Exhibit release times are 8:00 -11:00 AM on Saturday, July 12, 2025. You or a designated individual must pick up your exhibit at this time (not earlier, not later).
10.  All unclaimed articles will become the property of the Home & Family Arts Competition committee and will be disposed of by the people in charge after the release time is over.
11.  Ribbons will be awarded as merited. Grade ribbons (honor, blue, red, white) will be used. A champion and reserve champion may be awarded for each class number if work merits those honors. The winners may compete for the division sweepstakes award. These decisions are at the judges' discretion, and all decisions are final.
12.  Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of all articles, but management will not be responsible for loss or injury to articles. (Please consider volunteering as a host or hostess.)

SWEEPSTAKE AWARDS

Division A - Jellies, Jams, Preserves, & Butters         

Division B - Vegetable                                                   Division P - Quilts 

Division C - Fruits                                                          Division Q - Woodworking       

Division D - Pickled Items                                              Division R - General Crafts 

Division E - Sauces, Juices, & Condiments                   Division S - Dolls & Animals

Division F - Miscellaneous Canned Goods                    Division T - Wearable Arts 

Division G - Dehydrated Foods                                      Division U - Holidays at the Fair

Division H - Breads                                                        Division V - Painting & Drawing

Division I - Cookies                                                        Division W - Photography 

Division J - Cakes                                                          Division X - Recycling 

Division K - Pies                                                             Division Y - Gardening 

Division L - Homemade Candy                                      Division Z - Special Category - ? 

Division M - Knitting

Division N - Crocheting

Division O - Needle Arts, Cross Stitch, Machine Embroidery 

The mission of the Indiana Extension Homemakers is to strengthen families through continuing education, leadership development, and volunteer community support.

EDUCATION ADVANTAGE

Education is a character builder. It is a lifelong process that is never finished. Homemaker Club members keep up to date in these rapidly changing times through lessons on all phases of homemaking, family living, and special interest topics that are presented by speakers, educators, and other club members. Through cooperation with the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, IEHA offers a wide range of lessons at no charge.

LEADERSHIP

The Homemaker Club provides training for leadership as one enjoys membership, becomes a club officer or project leader, and shares in lessons. This helps each member to become a leader in their community by strengthening leadership skills. Today’s leaders help to strengthen our communities. Small things accomplished by many can make a difference in the lives of others.

CITIZENSHIP

A member becomes a better citizen by living up to the principles of the Homemaker Club creed, by taking part in club projects, and by volunteering in community activities.

SOCIAL AND FELLOWSHIP ADVANTAGES

The Homemaker Club offers social and fellowship opportunities with other members and other clubs. It gives the feeling of belonging, a feeling that a person is part of the community, and a feeling of being useful and needed. It gives a member a sense of safety, security, and status.

Howard County has several Extension Homemakers Clubs. They meet on various days of the week with both afternoon and evening meeting times. Clubs include: Choraliers, Country Friends, Friendship, Happy Homemakers, Heart-N-Home, Learn-N-Share, Orleans Club, and 23 Club. If you are interested in more information, please contact the Extension office at 765-456-2313.