County Activity Day
4-H Presentations
4-H presentations are a vital part of the 4-H program! Every 4-H member can profit in some way from preparing and presenting a presentation.
How does the 4-H Presentations program work?
- 4-Hers choose a topic they are previously knowledgeable on or are passionate to learn about and prepare a 5-12 minute presentation or public speech (presentation incorporates visual aids).
- 4-Hers then sign up for their presentation category in their age division via the link included below in this article.
- 4-Hers present their presentations at 4-H County Activity Day.
- 4-Hers can choose to advance and present on the District level (similar to County Activity Day, however, 4-Hers from 21 western counties are represented).
County Activity Day will be on Friday evening, May 8, 2026. (Early presentation days are available. Please email hannah_peeler@ncsu.edu). Please, see the link below to sign up for your presentation category.
4-H Public Speaking Workshops 2026
AI (artificial intelligence) and 4-H Presentations - Thursday, April 2, 4:00 - 5:15
Everyone has heard about AI, a simple google search engine will produce an AI answer! But how can AI be utilized as a helpful tool in 4-H Presentations? AND how should AI NOT be used? How to avoid copyright and research mistakes with AI in the world? This workshop is meant to teach some about AI tools as well as give youth a head start on their 4-H Presentations for 2026!
Outdoor Cookery 4-H Presentations - Thursday, April 9, 4:00 - 5:30
The Bryant family are 4-H alumni who excelled in Outdoor Cookery 4-H Presentations for years! By attending this workshop youth will learn how to execute an outdoor cookery presentation (and may get to taste test!) the end results!
Practice Makes Confidence! (4-H Public Speaking Practice) - Thursday, April 16, 4:00 - 5:00
Do you have a 4-Her who feels nervous to do public speaking in front of any crowd on any topic? I understand! We have all been there! Public speaking is like a muscle, it gets easier with practice! Attending this workshop 4-Hers will play games, speak in front of peers in a very low-pressure, supportive environment, and practice clear speaking, eye contact, and learning how to handle nerves and improve delivery.
4-H Presentation Practice Sessions! (Toastmasters Club) - Scheduled times April - June!
Practice makes perfect! Schedule a time to come into the Extension Office and practice presenting your presentation to an audience of 1-2 people! 4-H will be partnering with the Toastmasters (a public speaking Club in Henderson County whose whole mission is to practice public speaking!) for practice/coaching opportunities throughout the 4-H Presentation season. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Where: N.C. Cooperative Extension, Henderson County 100 Jackson Park Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Club member Haley Hargus gives a presentation at the county level
4-H Presentation rules and guidelines
- Presentation Handbook (8-18 age)
- State 4-H Presentation Video Tips (8-18 age)
- Presentation Helpful Tools (8-18 age)
- Presentation Workshop Slideshow (8-18 age)
- Example of Demonstration 4-H Presentation
General Guidelines Overview
You must be signed up for a presentation category by Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Only two people can sign-up for one presentation category in the same age group. (So sign-up for the category you want quickly!)
- Presentations must be between 5-12 minutes if you are ages 8-18
- Cloverbuds (5-7) can present on any topic and do not have a time limit
- A presentation can be a demonstration, illustrated talk, or formal speech
- Presentations are best when props and slides (powerpoint) are used
- You can participate in presentations as an individual or as a team (2 people)
- Henderson County 4-H does have some presentation examples. For access, email Hannah_peeler@ncsu.edu
4-H Entertains
4-H Entertains is not your typical competition activity! The 4-H Entertains portion of County Activity Day is a showcase of talent, allowing members to demonstrate their creativity through the performing arts!
4-H Entertains are performed before a live audience on County Activity Day, Friday, May 8, 2026. (Judging may be scheduled for an earlier date).
General eligibility requirements are:
- Participants should be 8 as of January 1 of the current year and not have had their 19 birthday as of Jan. 1. They must be currently enrolled or participating in the 4-H program.
- 4-H members who have participated in previous County, District and State 4-H talent programs MAY participate again.
The general guidelines are:
- Talent acts may be presented by an individual or group.
- Talent acts selected should appeal to youth audiences.
- Talent acts may be drawn from dance, dramatic, variety, instrumental and vocal arts.
- Each county may select a maximum of two acts to participate at the District level.
- Each act should be a maximum of five (5) minutes.
- Participants should consider the following items when selecting and presenting a talent act: 1. audience appeal 2. projection 3. appropriate dress or costume 4. poise 5. staging-position and/or movement on stage 6. skills in areas of presentation (talent) music should be in good taste and appropriate for all audiences, no vulgar language will be accepted in any lyrics 7. Animal acts, use of fire, groups requiring excessive time to set up and groups requiring special lighting are NOT allowed. 8. Digital music must be of good quality.
4-H A.I.R.E
AIRE (Application, Interview, Resume, and Essay) is a workforce development and college prep program. 4-Hers ages 11 - 18 will have the opportunity to practice their resume and interview skills on the County level!
4-Hers who participate on the County level will complete two portions of A.I.R.E.
- Complete and submit a 4-H Resume that will be submitted to an "interview committee" by Friday, May 1, in preparation for your Interview at County Activity Day.
- Schedule your interview and complete the interview at County Activity Day on Friday, May 8 at Grace Lutheran Church.
Youth ages 14 - 18 can choose to advance to the State level competition. Youth who advance must also complete and submit their 4-H Applications and Essay. Winners of the State 4-H AIRE contest can win National 4-H trips! These trips are at no cost if you are selected for the “job opportunity!”
2026 AIRE Application Prep Packet
National 4-H Trips With A.I.R.E
National 4-H Congress
Placing a trip for the National 4-H Congress, you will experience a paid four-day trip to Atlanta, GA! During the trip 4-Hers participate in leadership workshops, community service, cultural experiences, and meet with other 4-Hers from across the Nation!
National 4-H Conference
Bringing hundreds of 4-H’ers to the nation’s capital each spring, National 4-H Conference is the flagship youth development opportunity of USDA, hosted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)! As a delegate you will get to attend working workshops, meet with elected officials and tour our Nationals capital buildings!
Competition Levels
County Activity Day
Henderson County Activity Day is the first level of the three-tier 4-H presentations competition (four-tier for poultry and horse categories). County Activity Day is scheduled for Friday, May 8, in the evening. We are excited for presentations to provide another great learning experience for our 4-H'ers!
Participants ages 8-18 give presentations, and judges award blue or red ribbons. Each participant will receive feedback from judges to prepare for District Activity Day, which every participant will have the option to pursue. Blue ribbon recipients mean they are ready for District, just keep practicing! Red ribbon recipients have put in good work, but something has been encouraged to change on the presentation before going to District, and of course, keep practicing!
Cloverbuds (5-7) can present at County Activity Day with any topic and time limit of their choosing! They will receive a trophy for their participation!
We will continue to keep you updated on scheduling for County Activity Day. If you are interested in signing up for a presentation category, volunteer, or be a presentation coach or judge, please contact Hannah_peeler@ncsu.edu.
District Activity Day
West District presentations will be held at AB Tech Community College on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Participants (8-18) will have the opportunity to present their presentations in front of judges and compete to continue on to the State 4-H presentation competition in Raleigh if they place in their category at District level. Cloverbuds (5-7) can present their presentations on the District level for practice in front of audiences. However, they are not at competition age and will receive a participation ribbon for their accomplishment!
State Activity Day
4-H Presentations on the State level will take place on the NC State University Campus on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Youth who placed at their District competitions can present at the State level. Certain presentation categories have monetary awards associated with them for placing gold or silver medals.
For youth who are between the ages of 13 - 18, presentations are the first day of NC 4-H Congress if they choose to register and participate!
State Presentation presenters and Congress Attendees (2022)
