Gardeners and youth exhibitors interested in learning how to better prepare flowers and vegetables for competition will have a chance to do just that during an upcoming workshop in Fairfield.
The Jefferson County Extension Office will host “Exhibiting Flowers & Vegetables at the Fair” on Saturday, April 18th, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jefferson County Extension Office, 2606 West Burlington Avenue in Fairfield.
The workshop is open to both adults and youth involved in 4-H, FFA, or Open Class exhibits, and participants do not have to be from Jefferson County to attend.
Organizers say the program will cover best practices for preparing flower and vegetable entries for both county fairs and the Iowa State Fair. Participants will learn what judges typically look for, how to properly select and prepare entries, and ways to improve the overall quality of their exhibits.
The workshop is intended to be useful for both first-time exhibitors and experienced gardeners, with a focus on practical, hands-on instruction. In addition to the educational portion of the program, attendees will also receive take-home resources and seeds to help them apply what they learn at home.
The cost to attend is $10 per person. According to organizers, the fee helps offset direct program expenses and supports the Agriculture and Natural Resources programs of the Jefferson County Extension Office.
There are some exceptions to the fee. Jefferson County 4-H members may attend at no cost, and parents are encouraged to come with younger members free of charge as long as they do not plan to take seeds and resources. Out-of-county 4-H members and youth participating only in FFA will be required to pay the registration fee.
Advance registration is required and can be completed online. For more information, contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at 641-472-4166 or by email at xjefferson@iastate.edu.
Information and photography courtesy of Courtney Burkhalter.
