Presentations are an important part of North Carolina 4-H and one of the best ways youth build confidence, communication, and leadership skills. Through presentations, youth research a topic connected to their projects or interests and teach others what they have learned.
Rather than simply giving a speech, 4-H members practice organizing ideas, explaining concepts clearly, and answering questions from an audience. These skills help youth grow as public speakers while also strengthening problem solving, preparation, and self-confidence.
4-H Presentation Information
Regulations
Eligibility
- Age divisions: 8–10, 11–13, and 14–18
- Ages 5–7 may participate in the Cloverbud Presentation category (non-competitive)
- Age eligibility is determined as of January 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Participants must be at least 8 years old and not have reached their 19th birthday before January 1.
- Participants must be fully enrolled and approved in 4-HOnline to compete.
- Cloverbuds are not eligible to participate in 4-H Entertains (Talent Showcase).
Entry Limits
- Each county may enter two participants per age division per category at District Activity Day.
- A 4-H member may compete in only one presentation program per year.
- 4-H Entertains (Talent Showcase) does not count as a presentation program.
- Horse presentations: a county may enter one individual and one team presentation per age division.
- A team presentation may include no more than two individuals (except 4-H Entertains, which has no limit).
- If team members are in different age divisions, they must compete in the older age division.
Progression of Competition
- Youth compete first at the district level.
- District Gold winners in all age divisions and Silver winners in the 11–13 and 14–18 divisions advance to State Presentation Finals at 4-H Congress.
- Members may continue competing in the same category each year until declared a state gold winner.
- After moving to a new age division, they may again compete in that category.
Time Requirements
General Presentations
- Minimum: 5 minutes
- Maximum: 12 minutes
Public Speaking
- 5–7 minutes
Horse Categories
- Individual 8–10 & 11–13: 4–12 minutes
- Individual 14–18: 9–12 minutes
- Team 8–10 & 11–13: 5–15 minutes
- Team 14–18: 10–15 minutes
- Horse Public Speaking 8–10 & 11–13: 4–10 minutes
- Horse Public Speaking 14–18: 8–10 minutes
(Points are deducted for exceeding limits.)
Outdoor Cookery
- Chicken BBQ: 2 hours
- Turkey BBQ: 2 hours
- Pork Char-Grill: 2 hours
- Beef Char-Grill: 2 hours
Presentation Guidelines
- Presentations must be delivered in person.
- Short video clips may be used only when demonstrating something that cannot be shown live.
- No live animals may be used.
- Firearms, weapons, or realistic replicas are prohibited.
- Presenters should avoid promoting brand-name products.
- Appropriate costumes or clothing may be worn if 4-H appropriate.
- Presenters are not required to repeat audience questions.
- Youth age 14–18 must give a knowledge-based presentation (no food preparation or tasting).
4-H Entertains (Talent Showcase)
- Counties may have no more than two acts and 10 minutes total performance time.
- Amateur performers only (participants who perform for pay are not eligible).
- Participants receive a participation ribbon; selected acts receive a blue ribbon.
- Some acts may be invited to perform at the State 4-H Entertains program.
Participants in grilling contests should complete their cooking presentation before competing in 4-H Entertains.
Awards
- All district participants receive a participation ribbon.
- District Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners receive a medal.
- State competitors must be present and compete at State Finals to receive awards.
- Monetary awards vary by category and sponsorship.
- Presentation expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
Additional Notes
- Some categories may not have a monetary award if sponsorship is unavailable.
- Horticulture, Fruit & Vegetable, Egg Cookery, and Peanut Foods categories must be demonstrations.
- Donor contact information is available through the NC 4-H Development Office.
- Delivery methods may be modified by State 4-H staff if necessary due to emergency situations.
Score Sheets/Feedback Forms
- General 4-H Presentation
- 4-H Public Speaking
- 4-H Beef Char-Grill
- 4-H Pork Char-Grill
- 4-H Chicken BBQ
- Cooking Skills
- Sensory
- Oral Presentation (same for Chicken & Turkey)
- 4-H Turkey BBQ
- Cooking Skills
- Sensory
- Oral Presentation (same for Chicken & Turkey)
- 4-H Egg Chef Challenge
- 4-H Entertains
- 4-H Cloverbud Presentation
- NC 4-H Horse Program Presentation
- NC 4-H Horse Program Public Speaking
Categories
Animal Science
Citizenship & Civic Education
Communication & Expressive Arts
Family & Consumer Sciences
Environmental Science
Healthy Lifestyles
- Agricultural Safety and Health
- Dairy Foods
- Egg Cookery (National Contest is Egg Chef Challenge)
- Fruit & Vegetable Use
- Foods & Nutrition
- Health and Fitness
- Peanut Foods
- Safety
Note: Outdoor Cookery located under its own heading
Personal Development
Plant Science
Science & Technology
Outdoor Cookery Competition
Competition categories for District Activity Days and State Finals
Helpful Tools
- 4-H Awards Handbook - Presentations start page 4.
- 2026 4-H Presentation Fact Finder
- Presentation 101 Handbook
- Sample Presentation videos
- Agent Resource Page Only - Must use your NC State Credential to log in. Scroll down to Presentations)
- Presentation Update 2025 - coming soon
- Presentation - DAD PIC Training - PIC must be downloaded for judges. Unity ID Required - 2026 coming soon
Additional Resources
District Activity Day (DAD)
District Activity Day is the next level of 4-H presentations, where county winners meet members from across their district to present their projects and share what they have learned. Youth present in a supportive environment, receive feedback from judges, and have the opportunity to qualify for State Presentation Finals.
To participate at District Activity Day, members must first compete at their local County Activity Day. Each county conducts its own event and selects participants to advance. Contact your 4-H Agent for more information.
2026 DAD Information
The state registration deadline for District Activity Day is May 22. Check with your county regarding your county registration deadline.
West District Activity Day
June 13 at A-B Tech (Hosted by Watauga County)
South Central District Activity Day
June 17 at South Stanly Middle School, Norwood, NC (Hosted by Stanly County)
Southeast District Activity Day
June 18 at Mount Olive University (Hosted by Robeson County)
North Central District Activity Day
June 24 at Dillard Middle School (Hosted by Caswell County)
Northeast District Activity Day
June 26 at Edgecombe Community College (Hosted by Hertford County)
State 4-H Presentation Finals
State Presentation Finals is the culminating presentation event for North Carolina 4-H and is held during 4-H Congress. Youth who earn qualifying awards at District Activity Day advance to this level to represent their counties and districts.
2026 State 4-H Presentation Finals
July 21, 2026 – Exact Location TBD
- Start time will be 9:15 am and end by 4:30 pm.
Participants advancing to State Presentation Finals must register by June 26 at noon.
Contact
