San Juan County 4-H Leader Quick Reference – 2026-27
Use this guide to help members and families understand participation requirements.
Requirements build on one another: 4-H membership → Fair participation → premium eligibility → auction participation. Not every member chooses every opportunity.
To Participate in 4-H
A youth needs to:
- Enroll in 4-H Online and pay applicable program fees.
- Join a club or approved 4-H experience.
- Follow the 4-H Code of Conduct.
- Actively participate in their club and project activities.
- Enroll in the project areas they plan to pursue.
Fair and auction participation are not required to be a 4-H member.
To Participate in 4-H at Fair
A member must:
- Be enrolled in San Juan County 4-H by April 30.
- Be enrolled in the project area(s) they intend to exhibit.
- Meet applicable animal ownership, identification, paperwork, or other project requirements.
- Complete the My 4-H Year Record and any required supplemental project records by August 1.
- Submit their entries through FairEntry by July 15.
- Bring an eligible exhibit/animal and follow applicable Fairbook and department requirements.
- Remain a member in good standing.
Remember: Fair is an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate learning, not the purpose of 4-H. Members can have a successful 4-H year without participating in Fair.
What About Record Books?
Records are not required simply to enroll and participate in San Juan County 4-H. They help youth set goals, document learning, and reflect on their growth.
For Fair: Members must complete the My 4-H Year Record and any required supplemental project records by the established county deadline.
Leader Tip: Introduce records early and encourage members to work on them throughout the year.
To Earn Fair Premiums
Fair participation does not automatically qualify a member for premiums.
Youth must meet all Fair participation requirements and:
- Keep exhibits on public display for at least seven hours and until at least 8:00 p.m. Sunday of Fair week.
- Animal exhibitors must also participate in required Showmanship, the appropriate Judging Contest, and Herdsmanship.
To Participate in the Auction
Auction participation is optional and adds requirements beyond Fair participation. Youth must first meet all applicable 4-H Fair requirements.
For the Livestock Market Animal Auction, a youth must:
- Meet applicable animal ownership requirements.
- Submit the Intent to Sell and LMAAC Memorandum by the deadlines.
- Complete required health/quality-assurance documentation.
- Complete required weigh-ins and sifting.
- Participate in required Showmanship, Judging, and Herdsmanship.
- Meet market/quality requirements and receive an eligible market-class ribbon/placing.
For the Still Life Auction, a youth must:
- Enter an eligible Still Life exhibit.
- Participate in Exhibitorship in the Marie Boe Building.
- Receive an eligible evaluation ribbon/placing.
- Sign up by the posted deadline.
- Follow applicable Still Life Auction and Fairbook requirements.
Selling at auction is not required for participation in a project or at Fair.
Leader Reminder
This page summarizes the requirements leaders are most commonly asked about. It does not replace current Washington State 4-H policy, San Juan County 4-H policy, the Fairbook, or auction requirements. Requirements may vary by project or activity.
If you are unsure how a requirement applies to a member, please check before giving the family an answer. Contact the San Juan County 4-H Office and we will help clarify the requirement.