Revised -
4/2007
RULES,
DIVISIONS, AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
|
Contestant
Eligibility and Approx. Points per
Contest Event |
|||||||
|
|
Exhibits |
Illustrated
Talks |
Plant
Identification |
Plant Anatomy |
Plant Mount Judging/ Range Utilization |
Soils
Judging |
Range
Management |
|
Buckaroo |
YES (130pt*) |
YES (100pt*) |
NO CONTEST |
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|
Super Starter |
YES (130pt*) |
YES (100pt*) |
YES (260pt) |
YES (200pt) |
YES (150pt) |
NO |
NO |
|
Wrangler |
YES (130pt*) |
YES (100pt*) |
YES (300pt) |
YES (125pt) |
YES (195pt) |
YES (200pt) |
NO |
|
4H - FFA - Open Youth |
YES (130pt) |
YES (100pt) |
YES (300pt) |
YES (100pt) |
NO |
NO |
YES (255pt) |
|
Open Adult |
NO |
NO |
YES (300pt) |
YES (100pt) |
NO |
NO |
YES (255pt) |
|
Rancher |
NO |
NO |
YES (300pt) |
YES (100pt) |
NO |
NO |
YES (255pt) |
|
Management Tour |
NO |
NO |
CONTEST OPTIONAL |
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|
|
|
|
NOT AVAILABLE IN 2003 |
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* These points do not count towards Top Super Starter or Top Wrangler
Awards
Exhibits
(Up to 130 Possible Points)
(Revised 5-21-2001)
Exhibitors, ages 4 to 19 can compete in as many lots as desired. However, those individuals participating in the Top Green Hand or Top Range Hand competitions should note the limit is one Range Plant or Weed Plant Collection and one Range Display for points towards the above mentioned awards. Therefore, a contestant entering more than one exhibit must designate (upon entering) which entry (lot) is to be considered for the Top Green Hand or Top Range Hand competition.
Note: Best
of Show award for Range Plant Collection
(Lots: 1 & 2), Weed Plant Collection
(Lots: 3 & 4), and Range Display
(
Group (no points)
*Any Noxious Weed specimens are required to be permanently covered to prohibit any seed dispersal.
**Present year is defined as: Beginning June 15th of previous year to June 15th of contest year
***Weed Reference for Lots 1-4 is the
Exhibits Judging
Criteria
Lots 1 and 2
1. Overall quality of specimens (25 points)
2. Good representation of plant types and lifespans (15 points)
3. Good representation of Decreasers, Increasers, Invaders and Noxious weeds of the area where the plants are collected. (15 points)
4. Accuracy of identification (15 points)
5. Reference value (10 points)
Lots 3 and 4
1. Overall quality of specimens (25 points)
2. Good representation of plant types and lifespans (15 points)
3. Good representation of Noxious and Common weeds of the area where the plants are collected. (15 points)
4. Accuracy of identification (15 points)
5. Reference value (10 points)
1. Overall
quality of exhibits (individual
- 15 points)(group - no points)
2. Subject
matter is range related (individual
- 15 points)(group - no points)
3. Informational value (individual - 10 points)(group - no points)
4. Accuracy of contents (individual - 10 points)(group - no points)
1. Satisfactory three-ring binder, correctly labeled (no points)
2. Binder material in order, manual followed
with worksheets in numerical order (no points)
3. Overall completeness of all worksheets
(no points)
4. Overall neatness and readability (no
points)
Illustrated Talks
(Up to 100 Possible Points)
Participants, ages 4 to 19 may present an Illustrated Talk on any phase of range resources and/or the management of such resources. The talk should focus on a specific topic rather than trying to present too much information. Length is no less than 6 minutes and no more than 8 minutes. (See penalty information below.) An additional 5 minutes of time is allotted for questions from a slate of judges. Each judge will ask at least one question. A power point projector and screen will be available to all contestants. Presenters using Power Point must supply a computer. Easels, slide projectors, etc. will be made available at a participants request.
Note: The winner of the Illustrated Talks competition will give their presentation again before the award ceremony. This award can only be won once by the same individual. However, previous winners may still compete in Illustrated Talks and receive points towards the “TOP GREEN HAND” or "TOP RANGE HAND" awards, provided they have not previously won these awards.
Illustrated Talks Judging Criteria
JUDGES: A
slate of four judges score the Illustrated Talks.
QUESTIONS:
There will be 5 minutes allotted to each student for questions. Each judge will ask the speaker at least one
question during that time.
TIME LIMIT: For each second over or under the 6
to 8 minute time limit 1 point is deducted from the average score of the four
judges. Time commences when the speaker
begins talking. Speakers may use a watch
to keep a record of their time or utilize the timer provided.
TIES: In
case of ties in overall scores, the Knowledge
of Subject average score will be used to break the ties.
VISIAL AIDS: If no visual aids are used, a mark
of zero (0) will be awarded. However,
the contestant will not be disqualified.
JUDGING CRITERIA |
POINTS |
Introduction
|
10 |
Body
|
20 |
|
Subject matter |
15 |
|
Visual aids |
15 |
|
Conclusion |
10 |
|
Knowledge of subject
matter |
15 |
|
Delivery and
language |
15 |
Plant Identification
(Up to 300 possible points)
This contest will consist of
identifying 20-30 range plants and marking the respective plant characteristics.
Plants included on the test will be from the current year’s
You will need to know:
1. Common Name*
2. Type of Plant
3. Life Span
4. Grazing Response
5. Season of Growth
6. Plant Origin
7. Poisonous or Non-Poisonous
*Points given only for each plant correctly named as shown on plant list.
Plant Anatomy
(Up to 200 Possible Points)
Studying for and participating in this contest enhances one's ability to identify plants and to use plant taxonomic keys. The contest format is multiple-choice with questions regarding plant parts and variations. Students will also use a simplified dichotomous key to identify two plants.
PLANT MOUNT
JUDGING
(Up to 100 Possible Points)
Super Starters will evaluate and place classes of pressed plant mounts.
RANGE
UTILIZATION JUDGING
(Up to 125 Possible Points)
Wranglers will evaluate levels of grazing utilization at five stations. May be asked to identify key areas and/or key species.
Ecological
(Range) Site/SOILS JUDGING
(Up to 200 Possible Points)
Wrangler will be asked to identify very basic range sites (ex. run-in, run-off, normal), soil texture samples and determine the soil profile depth within soil pits. (e.i. Shallow, Moderately Deep, Very Shallow, etc)
RANGE
MANAGEMENT
(Up to 255 Possible Points)
This contest is conducted in the field. Contestants will have to determine:
1. Ecological sites
2. Similarity indexes/Range trends
3. Range utilization levels
4. Stocking rates
Divisions
(Age is determined as of
June 15th)
Buckaroo (4
to 8 year olds)
This instructional program is offered for the little tykes, permitting parent to take an active part in Montana Range Days, free from having to supervise their small youngsters. The day and half program provides meaningful activities to help foster interest in future Montana Range Days competition. Buckaroos may also participate in the Exhibits and Illustrated Talk Competitions.
Super Starter (9
to 11 year olds)
Super Starters will spend time exploring the rangeland at the workshop site on Tuesday. Paired with great instructors, they discover the basic principles of range ecology, while also learning how to use plant anatomy to identify common range plants. Super Starters will also have a chance to collect and press plants. They will learn how to properly mount and label a plant for a collection. On Wednesday, Super Starters compete in the areas of Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Plant Mount Judging for individual awards as well as the "Top Super Starter Award".
Note: Super Starters may also participate in the Exhibits and
Illustrated Talk Competitions, but these points do not add into the Top Super
Starter Award. Also the Top
Super Starter Award can only be won once by the same individual.
Wrangler (12
& 13 year olds)
On Tuesday, the Wrangler curriculum presents challenging, hands-on learning opportunities. Instruction is focused on plant anatomy and plant identification. Students are introduced to the basics of range (ecological) sites, grazing utilization, stocking rates and weed management. Wednesday, the Wrangler competition features contests on Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, Range Utilization and Ecological (Range) Sites/Soils Judging. The competition is for individual awards as well as the "Top Wrangler".
Note: Wranglers may also participate
in the Exhibits and Illustrated Talk Competitions but these points do not add
into the Top Wrangler Award. Also
the Top Wrangler award can only be won once by the same individual.
4-H, FFA, or Open Youth
(14 to 19 year olds that
have not graduated from High School)
On Tuesday, students participate in rotating workshops that focus on various aspects of range including Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, Range Sites/Soils and Stocking Rates/Utilization. Each workshop has an expert panel of instructors. Wednesday morning, students participate in a competition including contests in Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy and Range Management. Following the competition on Wednesday, students will have a workshop on range planning. Students also have the opportunity to compete in the Illustrated Talk Competition held on Monday evening and in the Exhibits Contest. Awards are given in all contest categories. A combination of contest points are used to determine the individual winners of the "Top Green Hand" and the "Top Range Hand" contests. (Please refer to the”Rules of Individual Competition” for clarification.) Individuals competing in the Youth Category may also participate in the Team Competition (Please refer to the “Rules of Team Competition” for clarification).
Note: The
4-H Division is for 4-H members who are 14 to 19 years old and have not graduated from high school.
FFA Division is for FFA members who are 14 to 19 years old and have not graduated from high school.
Open Youth Division is for anyone 14 to 19 years old and has not graduated from high school and does not qualify for any other division.
Open Adult
This division is for any adult who wishes to participate in the rotating workshops on Tuesday. Wednesday, you may compete against other adults in a competition including contests in Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Range Management (Prizes will be Awarded!).
Note: Top Open Adult first place award can only be won once by the same
individual. Further note that
professional range personnel or previous winners can compete, but not place in
this division.
Rancher
This division consists of any adult active in ranching who wishes to take part in the Rotating Workshops on Tuesday. On Wednesday you may compete against other ranchers in a contest including Plant Identification Plant Anatomy, and Range Management (Prizes will be Awarded!)
Note: Top Rancher first place award can only be won once by the same
individual. Further note that previous
winners can compete, but not place in this division.
Management Tour (Contest optional)
This division is for any individual who wishes to attend the Management Tours. Any individual who attends the Management Tours and wishes to participate in the contest may do so by also signing up for the appropriate Division Contest.
This division is for those
individuals who prefer a “hand on” style of instruction and are interested in
learning range management as it specifically relates to the ranching
industry. Any individual who attends the
Rules For Individual
Competition
"TOP RANGE HAND" This award
will be awarded to the individual youth age 15 to 19 and has not graduated from
High School, with the highest total score from these five contests: Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, Range
Management, Illustration Talks and Exhibits. Plant Identification
scores will be used to break all ties. This
award can only be won once by the same individual.
"TOP GREEN HAND" This award
will be awarded to the individual youth who is 14 years old, and has the
highest total score from these five contests: Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, Range Management, Illustration
Talks and Exhibits. Plant
Identification scores will be used to break all ties.
“TOP WRANGLER” This award will be awarded to the
individual youth age 12 to 13 with the highest total score from these four
contests Plant Identification, Plant
Anatomy, Soils Judging, Range Utilization.
Plant Identification scores will be used to break all ties. This award can only be won once by the same
individual.
“TOP SUPER STARTER” This award will
be awarded to the individual youth age 9 to 11 with the highest total score
from these three contests. Plant
Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Plant Mount Judging. Plant Identification
scores will be used to break all ties. This
award can only be won once by the same individual.
“TOP OPEN ADULT" This award will
be awarded to the individual registered in the Open Adult Division with the highest
total score from these three contests.
Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Range Management. Plant Identification scores will be used
to break all ties. This award can only be won once
by the same individual.
“TOP RANCHER” This award will be
awarded to the individual registered in the Rancher Division with the highest
total score from these three contests.
Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Range Management. Plant Identification scores will be used
to break all ties. This award can only be won once
by the same individual.
Former first
place winning individuals in the
following areas: Illustrated Talks, Range Plant Collection, Weed Plant Collection,
Range Display, Top Super Starter, Top
Wrangler, Top Green Hand,
Rules For Team Competition
1. Teams must be designated as either 4-H or FFA.
2. Teams will have at least three members.
3. Teams points will be totaled from the three highest individual scores.
4. The points of individual team members will automatically be counted towards their individual placing.
5. Open Youth individuals may not participate on a 4-H or FFA Team.
6. 4-H Clubs or FFA Chapters may enter more than one team.
7. Former first place teams must replace at least one of the previous high three-team members.
8. The Plant Identification, Plant Anatomy, and Range Management contests are the only contests used toward team points.
9. Team members must be 14 to 19 years old and not yet graduated from high school.
10. 4-H Team members must be enrolled in the same State.