2026 4-H Presents with Rockingham and Strafford Counties

Share your interests and build your communication skills!

County 4-H Presents is an annual county event that provides youth the opportunity to build skills and confidence in the realm of public speaking. 
Each event is judged by a helpful and knowledgeable set of evaluators that provide both in-person and written feedback to participants. Through their presentations, youth learn to research a subject, organize their ideas into a logical order, and practice public speaking skills.

Registration through ZSuite COMING SOON. Deadline to register is March 8^th. Photos or posters are to be printed, mounted and delivered to either 4-H office by March 20^th.

Presentation Types

Participation in 4-H Presents can take many forms. Continue reading for more description about each presentation type. Guideline documents and scoresheets for each type are included in the following or contact your 4-H office for more information.

Cloverbud Show & Tell

• Cloverbud members can present a “Show & Tell”. This is a non-competitive and fun way to share what you like and learn from others too. Cloverbud Show & Tell presentations can be 1-3 minutes.

Demonstrations / Illustrated Talks

2026 Demonstration Info and general Demo/IL Guidelines

• Demonstrations are simply showing and telling how to do something. You explain what you are doing while you work on something you like to do. Example: How to transplant a house plant. Illustrated Talks are like Demonstrations but instead of working on something while you talk, you just talk and use a variety of visual aids to help you. Example: Explaining horse breeds and colors using horse models. Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks last 3-10 minutes depending on your age category.
• Topics should fall within one of the six 4-H Pathways which are Animal Science, Environmental Science, Healthy Living, Shooting Sports, STEM or Teen Leadership.  (click here for topic ideas).

Action Exhibits

2026 Action Exhibit Info and general AE Guidelines

• Action Exhibits are interactive presentations that involve the audience in the presentation process. Like a Demonstration, you show or demonstrate a skill, such as how to make something, or show how something works. Unlike a Demonstration, the audience asks questions and interacts with the presenter and may even try the skill themselves. Audience members may even be able to take home something you’ve shown them how to make. Example: How to make bath salts. As different audience members visit your exhibit, you may demonstrate your skill multiple times for up to 50 minutes. Action Exhibits may be done individually or in teams of 2-3 people.

Public Speaking

2026 Public Speaking Info and general PS Guidelines

• Public Speaking is a chance to research, organize facts, and present a speech on an issue or topic of interest. Speeches can be 2-10 minutes, depending on your age category. There are no visual aids used such as posters or Powerpoints.

Photography

2026 Photo Info

• Framed or matted photograph taken after August 1st, 2025. Photographs must be delivered to the 4-H office by March 20. Contact your 4-H office for drop-off dates/times or arranging a drop-off.

Poster

2026 Poster Info

• You can submit a poster you made that shares an educational message or promotes 4-H and falls within one of six 4-H pathway themes or Open. The themes are Animal Science, Environmental Science, Healthy Living, Shooting Sports, STEM, Teen Leadership or Other (not eligible to advance to State 4-H Presents or the BIG E).
• Posters must be 14" x 22" and not more than 1/4" thick with nothing hanging off the edge.
• Posters must be delivered to the 4-H office by March 20^th. Contact your 4-H office for drop-off dates/times or arranging a drop-off.

TALENT AND CULTURE SHOWCASE 

Share your musical and vocal talents, or perhaps a choreographed dance. Are you in a band? Whatever music moves you we invite you to share with your 4-H community. Open Mic - are you a writer? Calling all standup comedy acts, slam poets and short story creators. Or perform a skit with a small group. The possibilities are endless.

Back by popular demand is the Clothing and Textiles Judging

 Garment Selection participants shop and accessorize an outfit for up to $50. Model it at 4-H Presents and answer questions from judges. Clothing Construction participants sew an piece of clothing, model and discuss it with judges. Textile and Fiber Arts Showcase participants create a non-clothing items such as a tote bag or knitted scarf. Exhibit the item at 4-H Presents and receive judges feedback.

General 4-H Presents Guidelines

1. 4-H Members (ages 8-18) may enter a maximum of two Communications events (Demonstrations, Action Exhibits, or Public Speaking). Cloverbuds enter the Show-and-Tell. In addition, all 4-Hers (all ages) may enter the Photography contest, the Poster Contest, the Fashion Program and/or The Talent and Culture Showcase.
2. Presentations, photos or posters which have been previously delivered at a 4-H Presents event may not be repeated without significant changes and must be new work completed since August 2025.
3. Live animals are not allowed at the event.
4. Firearms may not be included in any presentations. For presentations related to firearms, models or photos must be substituted.
5. Any use of the 4-H Clover must be in accordance with the rules governing the emblem.

Watch these videos on YouTube for some great overall tips and examples on giving 4-H presentations:

• Its Showtime! How to Demonstrate the 4-H Way
• How to Give a 4-H Demonstration
• 4-H Working Exhibits