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4-H Floriculture Project

Manual

  • Grade 3-4  Floriculture Level A
  • Grades 5-6 Floriculture Level B
  • Grades 7-9 Floriculture Level C
  • Grades 10-12 Floriculture Level D.

 

 

 

Entries per exhibitor:

Counties may choose to allow one (1) arrangement type or one (1) poster/notebook type exhibit per exhibitor (exhibitors are not required to do both). Each exhibitor may also choose to do a demonstration in addition to an arrangement and/or notebook/poster.

All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H members exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.

 

State Fair: Each county will be allowed to send one (1) flower and plant exhibit per category per level and one (1) poster or notebook exhibit per level, and one (1) demonstration per exhibitor. Total entries allowed per county: Level A, four (4) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; Level B, three (3) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; Level C, six (6) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook; and Level D, six (6) flower and plant exhibits and one (1) poster/notebook.

 

Note to youth exhibitors:

Each Level (A, B, C, D) of the Floriculture project serves more than one grade. You should do a DIFFERENT activity and exhibit each year that you are in the project. For example, if in 3 rd grade you display a simple bud vase (category 1), in 4th grade you should choose a poster/notebook option or flower/plant exhibit from categories 2,3 or 4. You should pay special attention to size guidelines for Flower and Plant Exhibits. Instructions for exhibits and related activities can be found in the 4-H Floriculture student manuals:

4-H 966 Floriculture: Level A

4-H 967 Floriculture: Level B

4-H 968 Floriculture: Level C

4-H 969 Floriculture: Level D

CD-4-H 989 Floriculture: Supplement CD

 

Notebook and Poster Guidelines:

Notebook Guidelines

  • Needs to be a sturdy 3 ring binder (with stiff covers) or a bound type notebook (with stiff covers). No report covers or similar styles.
  • Make sure the notebook accurately meets the guidelines and objectives of the activities in the manual.
  • Information printed directly off the web will not be accepted.
  • Materials included in the notebook need to be educational, both for the youth and the audience, and should demonstrate that the youth was able to take what he or she learned from their research (experiment, or on web, in library, etc) and/or activities to create the notebook.
  • Work should include references where appropriate.
  • Pictures, graphics, and artwork are encouraged.

 

Poster Guidelines

  • Dimensions = 22" x 28" displayed horizontally with stiff backing and must be covered with clear plastic
  • Identification included in the lower right corner (name, grade, county).
  • Poster should "tell a story" or be informative to the audience. Will the viewer of your poster learn something from the exhibit?
  • When designing your poster you should consider: lines, shapes, textures, colors and placement of items.
  • Pictures, graphics and artwork are encouraged.
  • Make sure the poster accurately meets the guidelines and objectives of the activities in the manual. Information printed directly off the web will not be accepted.
  • Materials included in the poster need to be educational, both for the youth and the audience, and should demonstrate that the youth was able to take what he or she learned from their research (experiment, or on web, in library, etc) and/or activities to create the poster. Requirements Level:

 

Level A, Grades 3 and 4

Exhibit

Flower and Exhibit Categories

  1. Create flower arrangement in a simple bud vase, provide your own vase, from cut flowers you grew in your garden.
  • Vase must be no more than 9 inches tall by 3 inches wide, neck opening of vase not to exceed 1.5 inches and be clear or white only. Include 1-3 stemsof a main flower, along with appropriate amount of filler flower and greenery.
  1. Create flower arrangement in a simple bud vase, provide your own vase, from fresh flowers you purchased.
  • Vase must be no more than 9 inches tall by 3 inches wide, neck opening of vase not to exceed 1.5 inches and be clear or white only. Include 1-3 stems of a main flower, along with appropriate amount of filler flower and greenery. Flowers should be in their natural state, and not wired for display.
  1. Create a simple round arrangement (small, compact round cluster of flowers) with fresh flowers you purchased. Including the vase or container, it must be no larger than 12"x 12".
  2. Create a simple round arrangement (small, compact round cluster of flowers) with fresh flowers you grew. Including the vase or container, it must be no larger than 12"x 12".

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any one (1) of the following topics:

  1. Chronicle your work in your flower garden (planning, planting, care, harvest, arrangement made with your flowers)
  2. Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of flowers.
  3. Explain how you harvested your flowers, cared for them, and used them in an arrangement.
  4. Explore and explain: pollination - what it is, why important, different ways it occurs or transplanting - what, how, things to watch out for; or role of insects with flowers (good, bad or both).
  5. Explore and explain seed germination or how to care for a 'sick' plant Report on interview with a professional (what do they do, types of jobs, type of training, hours worked, etc.)
  6. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  7. Describe a community service project you did related to your flowers project

 

Demonstration

Participate in an action demo at state fair or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level, or any of those listed above.

 

Level B, Grades 5 and 6

Exhibit

Flower and Plant Exhibit Categories

  1. Display a mixed planter that may include herbs with foliage plants and/or flowering plants. The planter should include 3 or more kinds of plants and have been planted at least two months before the fair.The container exhibit space must not exceed 18"x 18" (height will be variable). Must include 4-H 967c "Level B Plant Record" chronicling the care of your plant.
  2. Make an item with dried herbs or dried flowers that you grew yourself. Examples of items to exhibit are, but not limited to, a dried flower product, or a simple dried arrangement in a container. (Exhibit not to exceed 18" X 18").
  3. Display one house plant (foliage and/or flowering) in a container not to exceed 10 inches in diameter. There must be only one specimen plant per pot. A flowering plant may be of any color with single or double flowers. Must include 4-H 967c "Level B Plant Record" chronicling the care of your plant.

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any one (1) of the following topics:

  1. Report how you harvested your flowers and/or herbs, cared for them, dried them, and used them.
  2. Explore and explain: insects and your flowers and/or herbs
  3. Explore and explain: starting seeds indoors -- the process and pros and cons
  4. Explore and explain: perennials -- what are they, how are they used, benefits or drawbacks
  5. Investigate and describe: a butterfly garden -- what types of plants, benefits to insects and butterflies, etc.
  6. Describe how you planned or designed your garden, including how you chose the kinds of plants, any problems, successes
  7. Describe your houseplant - how you cared for, transplanted to larger pot, any problems, or successes
  8. Explore and explain: plant biology -- form and function, growth, photosynthesis, etc.
  9. Explore and explain: how to grow plants indoors -- things to consider, common problems and solutions
  10. Explore and explain: environmental effects related to plants (such as light, water, soil, or temperature)
  11. Describe an experiment you did and the results
  12. Explore and explain topics from "Imagine That" -- plants around the world, information about different cultural uses of plants, different ways you used your plants/herbs/flowers.

 

 

 

Demonstration:

Participate in an action demo at state fair or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level, or any of those listed above.

 

Level C, 7, 8 and 9

Exhibit

Flower and Plant Exhibit Categories

  1. Display a terrarium
  • Size of the terrarium should be appropriate for use on a table at home, and no larger than 12" deep, 18" long and 16" high. Must have a cover while on exhibit. See activity information for design.
  1. Combination or European planter
  • Exhibit a container of plants (3 or more kinds of plants) that you have planted and cared for a minimum of 2 months. See activity for information on plants and design. The container should not exceed exhibit space of 18" x 18" (height will be variable).
  1. Create one (1) corsage or two (2) boutonnieres made from only fresh flowers. Corsages should contain 3 or more blooms. NO artificial flowers or greenery should be used in this category. Bows and decorative items are okay.
  2. Create one (1) corsage or two (2) boutonnieres made from silk or other artificial flowers and greenery. Can be created with mixed fresh and artificial materials, or all artificial. Bows and decorative items are okay
  3. A dried arrangement in a container or a specialty item (such as, but not limited to, a wreath or swag) made with dried flowers and dried plant materials. NO artificial flowers/plant material should be included. Bows and decorative items are okay. Maximum size 24" x 24", height will be variable.
  4. Create a flower arrangement using either roses or lilies as the primary component of the arrangement. Arrangement should be made with all fresh materials (NO artificial, flowers/plant material). Bows and decorative items are okay. The exhibit must not exceed 18" x 18" (height will be variable).

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any one (1) of the following topics:

  1. Explore and explain: vegetative propagation -- how to, different types, problems and solutions, different uses of
  2. Explore and explain: plant nutrients -- what are they, why does the plant need them, what happens if the plant has too much or too little, planters or containers vs. garden.
  3. Investigate the design of multiple plant containers -- how to, things to considers, selecting plant materials, uses of
  4. Describe how you created your corsage or boutonnieres; or dried arrangement. Be sure to include appropriate information on design principles and how they are used to create your arrangement.
  5. Explore and explain: floral tools and materials (how to use, what they are, care of tools, different uses of a tool or material)
  6. Explore and explain: preserving cut flowers -- how, problems, uses of and/or diseases related to cut flowers
  7. Illustrate, explore and explain how you dry flowers or other plant materials and/or describe different methods and/or how, why use them.
  8. Explore and explain: medicinal uses and toxicity of fresh and dried flowers and plants.
  9. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  10. Describe a career exploration activity you did, such as job shadow, interview with a professional.
  11. Describe a community service activity you did related to your flowers project -- what you did, why, results, etc.

 

Demonstration

Participate in an action demo at state fair or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level, or any of those listed above

 

Level D, Grades 10, 11 and 12

Exhibit

Flower and Plant Exhibit Categories

  1. Create a seasonal arrangement from only fresh flower and/or plant materials. Flowers and plant materials specific to a season or holiday should be used. For example, fall mums or spring tulips. Maximum size 24"x24"x36". This category could include a traditional floral arrangement, but also items such as wreaths. Bows and decorative accessories are okay.
  2. Create a seasonal arrangement that can include fresh and/or artificial flower/plant material. Flowers and plant materials specific to a season or holiday should be used. Maximum size 24"x24"x36". This category could include a traditional floral arrangement, but also items such as wreaths. Bows and decorative accessories are okay.
  3. Create a modern or contemporary style arrangement using fresh flower and plant materials. See manual for suggestions. Maximum size 24"x24"x36". Include a label that states what type of design you have created (botanical, pavè, parallel, free-form, abstract, etc.)
  4. Create a bridal bouquet. Proper display of the bouquet should be considered, but only the bouquet will be judged. Bouquet should include only fresh plant materials. Bows and decorative accessories are okay.
  5. Create a centerpiece for an event, such as a banquet, party, wedding, funeral, or church. Arrangement should be no larger than 24"x 24" x 36" and be made from EITHER fresh flower and/or plant materials or artificial or silk flower and/or plant materials. Bows and decorative accessories are okay.
  6. Display a plant that you propagated (and grew and cared for) by tissue culture or other vegetative propagation methods, or flowering bulbs that you forced. Maximum pot size should not exceed 10" diameter. Must include 4-H 969c Level D Plant Record chronicling the care of your plant.

 

Poster or Notebook Exhibits - choose any on one (1) of the following topics:

  1. Describe how you created your arrangement, include information on the design principles utilized.
  2. Explore and explain how you utilize different flowers to make a similar style arrangement for different seasons (tulips in spring, mums in fall, etc.) or how to utilize similar flowers to make different styles of arrangements.
  3. Explore and explain: the cost of arrangement and/or a cost comparison with flowers (different types flowers, different time year, etc.).
  4. Explore and explain: forcing flowers (bulbs, branches, etc.).
  5. Explore and explain: marketing in the floral industry (large or small business) and/ or a market survey and results, and how they can benefit the floral industry.
  6. Explore and explain: how to start a business related to the floral industry and may include a business plan.
  7. Explore and explain the origins of flowers and/or the floriculture industry around the world.
  8. Explore and explain: tissue culture, biotechnology, or traditional breeding of new flower types -- what are they, how are they used, pros and cons.
  9. Explore and explain: be a plant detective -- what kinds of problems might you have in growing and caring for flowers, and how to solve.
  10. Describe an experiment you did and the results.
  11. Describe a community service activity you did related to your flowers project: how, why, results.

 

Demonstration

Participate in an action demo at state fair or demonstration contest related to topics for this grade level, or any of those listed above.

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