- Award Overview
- 1: Agricultural exhibitor events, awards, participation incentives or retention programs that have inspired entry in your fair or involved stakeholders/elected officials
- 2: Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural issue impacting your community or fair which can be addressed during the fair
- 3: Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public.
- 4: Evolved program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public. Must specifically outline how the program has changed/evolved from its inception to present
- 5: Program/event/exhibit designed to educate consumers/fair-going public on the Story of Food.
- 6: Unique exhibit/promotion/special event/community engagement/competition showcased during the year, outside of Fair time
- 7: Any other agriculture program/exhibit
- 8A: Agriculture Individual Photo: Livestock (not Equine)
- 8B: Agriculture Individual Photo: Horticulture/Crops
- 8C: Agriculture Individual Photo: Equine
- 8D: Agriculture Individual Photo: Rodeo
- 8E: Agriculture Individual Photo: Ag Education
- 8F: Agriculture Individual Photo: Misc. (any photo that does NOT fit any other sub-category)
Agricultural Awards
Sponsored by:
ShoWorks
ShoWorks is the most powerful exhibitor and entries management system available and currently serves over 1,000 state and county fairs. Hundreds of time-saving features make it easy to process registration, judging, payouts, and auctions for all types of entries, from creative and home arts to media, livestock, and more.
Purpose:
The purpose and objectives of the Ag Awards is gathering information and sharing with fellow member Fairs. The 2024 IAFE Agriculture Contests purpose remains:
• Strengthen agricultural education and awareness programs.
• Identify ways to be of service to exhibitors, the fair-going public and agriculture industry.
• Recognize fairs which excel in agriculture programing and promotion.
How To Enter:
All entries must be submitted in digital format on www.iafecontest.com. Please read the following rules and the category submittal forms carefully for entry format and file size limits.
Deadline:
All entries must be uploaded by October 1, 2024, by midnight CST!
Procedures:
Visit www.iafecontest.com for detailed instructions and to view an instructional video on how to submit your entries. Be sure to have the following two pieces of information before visiting the site:
1. E-mail Address (use to login or signup)
2. 2023 Fair Attendance
Fairs which participated in the 2023 Agriculture Awards program already have an account established. If you need assistance, please contact Anna Wilson at annaw@fairsandexpos.com or 800.516.0313.
Guidelines:
1. Entries in all the categories are a result of or took place during your 2023 or 2024 fair season.
2. Each entry must be a customized concept or program produced by the fair submitting the entry. (Education, exhibits, or entertainment that are paid for, but not produced by the fair, are not eligible for this contest.)
3. Each fair may submit only 1 entry per category (unless otherwise noted). A specific
program/event/theme/exhibit may only be submitted in one category.
4. Entries must be submitted using the appropriate category form and may not exceed space allocated on form.
5. Supporting material and photos are limited to three pages. No maximum number of photos.
6. In the supporting materials, there is no maximum number of photos, but they must be inserted into the three-page maximum. *All photos must have a caption and must be in .jpeg or .jpg format.
7. Entries must be submitted in digital format for judging. Compress photos and files to meet the file size limitations.
8. *Category Eight (A-F): Only one photo per sub-category allowed, all photos must have a caption and be in .jpeg or .jpg format.
9. Previous winning submissions that won their category are not eligible to be resubmitted. If the entry involved in a winning submission has evolved and can showcase the new impact due to the evolution, they may enter in Category 4.
10. The IAFE monitors the contest awards and tires to identify incomplete entries; however, the responsibility lies with the submitting organization to ensure their entry is complete. After the contest deadline, the IAFE, and/or committee member will not contact an organization to make revisions or additions to an entry. Entries will be judged in the category entered and will not be moved to another category or contest.
Divisions:
(Based on 2023 reported Fair attendance)
Division 1: Fairs with an attendance of up to 100,000
Division 2: Fairs with an attendance of 100,001 - 250,000
Division 3: Fairs with an attendance of 250,001 - 500,000
Division 4: Fairs with an attendance of 500,001 - 1 million
Division 5: Fairs with an attendance over 1 million
If your fair changed divisions from 2023 contest, please let Anna Wilson know immediately at annaw@fairsandexpos.com so she can adjust your division so your entries are correctly entered.
Judging:
All categories will use the criteria specified under each category and will be scored by at least three judges using a 100-point scale. Rankings will be determined by score, and all ties will be broken by the judges and/or committee chair.
Entries will be judged in October by a panel consisting of the Agriculture Committee and others the IAFE may appoint. Entries will be judged online using the criteria outlined with an evaluation scoring form. Entries in noncompliance with specific instructions and/or entries not meeting minimal standards will be reflected in judges' final scores and placing or may be disqualified. Entries will be judged in the category entered.
Judging Criteria for Categories 1-7 Judging Criteria for Category 8
Theme or Goal (30 points) Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points) Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points) Originality (20 points)
Originality (15 points) Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points) Overall Achievement (10 points)
Awards:
JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD (1):
Judges will select a "Judges’ Choice Award” from all winners. Category 8 entries are not eligible for the Judges Choice Award. The winning entry should be exceptionally original, creative, and innovative. An ideal winner would be a program or concept which may be easily replicated (larger or smaller format) by any fair or exposition. All winning entries will be available to IAFE members for view and download on the IAFE website.
DIVISION WINNERS (5):
The entry in each division with the highest score automatically receives this award.
CATEGORY AWARDS:
First place winners will receive a plaque; 2nd and 3rd place winners will be able to download certificates off the IAFE contest website after the announcement of winners. The category winners will be contacted immediately after results are official (late October/early November).
CONVENTION:
All
qualified entries are welcome to bring their entry to the IAFE Convention in Phoenix
in December. If you would like to ship your entry, if you cannot attend
convention, it must be at the IAFE office prior to November 1. (Disqualified
entries not eligible.)
Purpose:
The purpose and objectives of the Ag Awards is gathering information and sharing with fellow member Fairs. The 2024 IAFE Agriculture Contests purpose remains:
• Strengthen agricultural education and awareness programs.
• Identify ways to be of service to exhibitors, the fair-going public and agriculture industry.
• Recognize fairs which excel in agriculture programing and promotion.
How To Enter:
All entries must be submitted in digital format on www.iafecontest.com. Please read the following rules and the category submittal forms carefully for entry format and file size limits.
Deadline:
All entries must be uploaded by October 1, 2024, by midnight CST!
Procedures:
Guidelines:
Divisions:
Judging:
Awards:
Deadline:
All entries must be uploaded by October 1, 2024, by midnight CST!
Procedures:
Visit www.iafecontest.com for detailed instructions and to view an instructional video on how to submit your entries. Be sure to have the following two pieces of information before visiting the site:
1. E-mail Address (use to login or signup)
2. 2023 Fair Attendance
Fairs which participated in the 2023 Agriculture Awards program already have an account established. If you need assistance, please contact Anna Wilson at annaw@fairsandexpos.com or 800.516.0313.
Guidelines:
1. Entries in all the categories are a result of or took place during your 2023 or 2024 fair season.
2. Each entry must be a customized concept or program produced by the fair submitting the entry. (Education, exhibits, or entertainment that are paid for, but not produced by the fair, are not eligible for this contest.)
3. Each fair may submit only 1 entry per category (unless otherwise noted). A specific
program/event/theme/exhibit may only be submitted in one category.
4. Entries must be submitted using the appropriate category form and may not exceed space allocated on form.
5. Supporting material and photos are limited to three pages. No maximum number of photos.
6. In the supporting materials, there is no maximum number of photos, but they must be inserted into the three-page maximum. *All photos must have a caption and must be in .jpeg or .jpg format.
7. Entries must be submitted in digital format for judging. Compress photos and files to meet the file size limitations.
8. *Category Eight (A-F): Only one photo per sub-category allowed, all photos must have a caption and be in .jpeg or .jpg format.
9. Previous winning submissions that won their category are not eligible to be resubmitted. If the entry involved in a winning submission has evolved and can showcase the new impact due to the evolution, they may enter in Category 4.
10. The IAFE monitors the contest awards and tires to identify incomplete entries; however, the responsibility lies with the submitting organization to ensure their entry is complete. After the contest deadline, the IAFE, and/or committee member will not contact an organization to make revisions or additions to an entry. Entries will be judged in the category entered and will not be moved to another category or contest.
Divisions:
(Based on 2023 reported Fair attendance)
Division 1: Fairs with an attendance of up to 100,000
Division 2: Fairs with an attendance of 100,001 - 250,000
Division 3: Fairs with an attendance of 250,001 - 500,000
Division 4: Fairs with an attendance of 500,001 - 1 million
Division 5: Fairs with an attendance over 1 million
If your fair changed divisions from 2023 contest, please let Anna Wilson know immediately at annaw@fairsandexpos.com so she can adjust your division so your entries are correctly entered.
Judging:
All categories will use the criteria specified under each category and will be scored by at least three judges using a 100-point scale. Rankings will be determined by score, and all ties will be broken by the judges and/or committee chair.
Entries will be judged in October by a panel consisting of the Agriculture Committee and others the IAFE may appoint. Entries will be judged online using the criteria outlined with an evaluation scoring form. Entries in noncompliance with specific instructions and/or entries not meeting minimal standards will be reflected in judges' final scores and placing or may be disqualified. Entries will be judged in the category entered.
Judging Criteria for Categories 1-7 Judging Criteria for Category 8
Theme or Goal (30 points) Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points) Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points) Originality (20 points)
Originality (15 points) Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points) Overall Achievement (10 points)
Awards:
JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD (1):
Judges will select a "Judges’ Choice Award” from all winners. Category 8 entries are not eligible for the Judges Choice Award. The winning entry should be exceptionally original, creative, and innovative. An ideal winner would be a program or concept which may be easily replicated (larger or smaller format) by any fair or exposition. All winning entries will be available to IAFE members for view and download on the IAFE website.
DIVISION WINNERS (5):
The entry in each division with the highest score automatically receives this award.
CATEGORY AWARDS:
First place winners will receive a plaque; 2nd and 3rd place winners will be able to download certificates off the IAFE contest website after the announcement of winners. The category winners will be contacted immediately after results are official (late October/early November).
CONVENTION:
All qualified entries are welcome to bring their entry to the IAFE Convention in Phoenix in December. If you would like to ship your entry, if you cannot attend convention, it must be at the IAFE office prior to November 1. (Disqualified entries not eligible.)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agricultural exhibitor events, awards, participation incentives or retention programs that have inspired entry in your fair or involved stakeholders/elected officials
DESCRIPTION: Entry into this category requires a specific description of the event/program/award/promotion which promoted agricultural exhibitor participation in your fair as an incentive or as a retention initiative. Examples include: Commissioner Choice Awards for Static Exhibits, Hard Luck Award, First Year Showman Award, Chairman/Board Member Award, Chin-Up Awards, Superintendent Awards or Staff Favorites.
Submission Rules
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural issue impacting your community or fair which can be addressed during the fair
DESCRIPTION: Entrants will identify a significant challenge in the agriculture program at the fair and steps taken to address it, educate the fair going public, share results, partnerships, struggles and resources used. Examples include: veterinary check-in procedures to mitigate sheep fungus, addressing manure run-off by using drain covers, trailer traffic unloading patterns, animal handling, animal husbandry during the event.
Submission Rules
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Unique exhibit/promotion/special event/community engagement/competition showcased during the year, outside of Fair time
DESCRIPTION: Entrants will describe the program/event including process for development, resulting participation or attendance, partnerships and resources utilized and how the event/program ultimately benefits the annual fair.
Examples include: Agriculture exploration day, show camp, educational programs or agricultural shows
Submission Rules
**This event MUST occur outside of the dates of the annual fair.**
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public.
DESCRIPTION: Entrants will describe an innovative exhibit, event, program, theme, or competition designed to communicate an agricultural message(s) in an entertaining and/or educational format to the fair guests. Entrants should also explain relevance and detail partnerships involved, resources used, and the success of the program.
Examples: Messages on specific animal health issues, animal wellness, human/animal biosecurity, climate change, cannabis, GMO’s, family farms, changeovers (i.e., keeping animals in the barns for fairgoers to see them, educate on why animals go home and not stay the entire fair, safety methods used to keep animals and people safe during load in or load out) or other event or activity presented to allow people to see agriculture or animals besides the animals in competitions.
Submission Rules
Special note: Fairs may enter up to 2 entries and both entries are eligible for placing.
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Program/event/exhibit designed to educate consumers/fair-going public on the Story of Food.
DESCRIPTION: Entrants will describe a program and explain its relevance in telling the Food Story as it relates to consumers. Resources used and the fair-going public’s response to the program/event/exhibit should also be included.
Examples: Messages on food products, supply chain, food processing, food handling and safety, how a food items relates as an agriculture product and more.
Submission Rules
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Livestock (not Equine)
DESCRIPTION: Submitted photo should depict a scene from the competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair. This photo must include livestock to be judged.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Horticulture/Crops
Description: Submitted photo should depict a scene from a competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair. This photo must include horticulture/crops to be judged.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Equine
Description: Submitted photo should depict a scene from the competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair. This photo must include equine to be judged.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Rodeo
Description: Submitted photo should depict a rodeo scene from the competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Ag Education
Description: Submitted photo should depict an educational scene from a competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Agriculture Individual Photo: Misc. (any photo that does NOT fit any other sub-category)
Description: Submitted photo should depict a scene from the competitive agricultural program or special agricultural event/program at the annual fair.Submission Rules
Submission Rules/Requirements: Photos must be submitted digitally on the contest website and cannot exceed 1MB file size. All photos must be in .jpeg or .jpg format. Fairs may enter one photo in each subcategory. Each photo must have a caption. Judge comments are not required in this category.
Judging Criteria
Promotion of Agriculture (30 points)
Representation of Event/Activity (25 points)
Originality (20 points)
Photo Quality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Any other agriculture program/exhibit
DESCRIPTION: This is category is intended for agriculture programs or exhibits which may not fit other award categories, but whose content should be shared with other fairs. Judging will emphasize uniqueness, fairgoer or exhibitor appeal, effectiveness, and creativity
Submission Rules
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)
ENTER THIS CATEGORY
Evolved program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public. Must specifically outline how the program has changed/evolved from its inception to present
DESCRIPTION: Entrants will describe an innovative exhibit, event, program, theme, or competition designed to communicate an agricultural message(s) in an entertaining and/or educational format to the fair guests. Entrants should also explain relevance and detail partnerships involved, resources used, and the success of the program. Must specifically outline how the program has changed/evolved from its inception to present.
Examples: Messages on specific animal health issues, animal wellness, human/animal biosecurity, climate change, cannabis, GMO’s, family farms, changeovers (i.e., keeping animals in the barns for fairgoers to see them, educate on why animals go home and not stay the entire fair, safety methods used to keep animals and people safe during load in or load out) or other event or activity presented to allow people to see agriculture or animals besides the animals in competitions.
Submission Rules
Special note: Fairs may enter up to 2 entries in each sub-category and both entries are eligible for placing.
Judging Criteria
Theme or Goal (30 points)
Promotion of Agriculture (25 points)
Goal Achievement, Participant Reaction (20 points)
Originality (15 points)
Overall Achievement (10 points)