Several area 4-Hers won awards June 29 through July 1 during their achievement days.

4-H Achievement Days started off with the horse show at the DeMontigny Arena. Then 4-Hers gathered at the Pierce County Fair grounds to show off their static and pet exhibits, as well as livestock, rabbits and poultry.

According to Pierce County NDSU Extension Agent Yolanda Schmidt, 4-H projects at the local or county level are evaluated as part of an interview. Members visit with judges-local volunteers with expertise in project areas-about exhibits, how they were made and what members learned. Items, interview skills and knowledge shared contribute to a final ribbon placing: blue (outstanding and excellent), red (good), white (needs improvement).

Blue ribbon recipients qualify for display at the N.D. State Fair, where they are considered static displays-information on the project and the projects themselves are available for evaluation instead of an interview with the exhibitor. As of this writing 41 static exhibits from Emily Salwey, Katie Arnold, Kaedyn DeMontigny, Zach Jaeger, Ryleigh Keating, Amelia and Leah Shepard will be at the State Fair. Leah Shepard will also represent Pierce County at the beef, sheep and swine shows; Amelia Shepard will represent the county at the beef and sheep shows; and Danielle Christianson will represent the county at the horse show.

Other awards include rosettes: purple (champion), pink (reserve champion or second place), orange (award of excellence-outstanding exhibits that were considered for champion rosettes).

A new event at this year’s achievement days was a cow pie bingo fundraiser following the livestock show on July 1. A heifer dropped a cow pie on one of 135 squares on a grid in an enclosed pen, and the winner-who either bought one ticket for $10 or three for $25-was the holder of a ticket number corresponding to the chosen square. Winners were Aaron Thompson ($313) and Wes Hall ($125.50). Schmidt said that the event may be repeated next year and possibly on multiple evenings.