Why Consumer Judging?

We make choices everyday: what to eat, what to wear, what to buy. Consumer Choices teaches decision making based on information learned and studied and on facts that have been collected. 

The 4-H Consumer Choices Contest helps 4-H members practice making decisions by matching knowledge, skills and abilities against those of others. 4-H members learn to rank articles or products over others based on standards and quality.

The Stark-Billings County event will be in April and May, 2012, at the Stark-Billings County Extension Office. There will be a practice session and a contest. Schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, April 10 - 4 to 6 p.m. (workout)
Tuesday, April 24 - 4 to 6 p.m. (workout)
Tuesday, May 1 - 4 to 6 p.m. (workout)
Tuesday, May 8 - 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - workout and contest

4-H Consumer Choices is open to any 4-H member--boy or girl. 

• Beginner - Ages 8, 9, & 10 (10 year-olds may participate in either the Beginner or Junior Age Division) 
• Junior - Ages 11-13 (13 year-olds may participate in either the junior or senior division)  
• Senior - Ages 14-19
  
  

What's Involved in the Contest?

The contest will consist of six classes. There will be two classes in each of three topics. Standards (guidelines) are developed for each topic. See the study guides for classes to be offered this year:

Oral reasons will be given on three of the classes. Classes selected for the oral reasons will include one from each topic area and will be announced as they are judged. Oral reasons will be given at the conclusion of judging all classes. 

Participants will be allowed 12 minutes for placing classes. 

How Does the Stark-Billings County Contest Work?

See the above schedule of county workouts and the contest. Workout scores will be averaged at the county events to determine team members. To be eligible for team selection, 4-Hers must attend one of the two workout sessions plus the judging contest. All participating 4-Hers are recognized.

The set of standards (guidelines) for the classes are available at the extension office or see Consumer Choices Judging. 4-Hers who read through the standards before the workouts are better prepared to judge the classes. 

Also see Consumer Choices Publication