Sharpen your skills. Test your knowledge. Compete with confidence.
Judging contests give 4-H members the chance to apply what they’ve learned, think critically, and communicate clearly while competing against others across the county, district, and state. These events focus on decision-making, reasoning, and industry knowledge—and they’re a great way to grow leadership, confidence, and teamwork skills.
Learning experiences focus on:
Practice real-world problem solving
Strengthen observation and evaluation skills
Build confidence through oral reasons and presentations
Learn about career opportunities connected to each contest
Judging Opportunities in Gillespie 4-H:
Livestock Judging – Evaluate cattle, sheep, goats, and swine based on quality and industry standards.
Meats Judging – Identify retail and wholesale cuts, grade carcasses, and understand meat science.
Wool Judging – Judge fleeces based on quality, length, and use in industry.
Range Judging – Identify plants, evaluate rangeland health, and recommend management practices.
Entomology Judging – Classify insects by order and family and understand their role in ecosystems.