Workshop to Prepare Judges for Fairs, Exhibitions

The Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Exhibitions Association are teaming up to offer a workshop for new and existing judges at fairs and exhibitions.

The first sessions of Judging 101 will be held in Antigonish on May 26 and in Windsor on June 9. The goal is to enhance the skills of current judges, and to establish a mentorship program for senior 4-H members and others who have basic project skills but want to gain experience in judging.

"The competition component of fairs and exhibitions is an important part of the agricultural story in Nova Scotia," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. "This workshop will help ensure there are judges across the province with the skills and experience necessary to support these competitions now and in the future."

The workshop is designed for Nova Scotia Exhibition Association members, Nova Scotia 4-H members and leaders, current judges, community leaders, and others who are interested in learning what it takes to be a confident and successful exhibition judge.

Sessions will concentrate on professionalism in judging, ethics and the role of the judge at an exhibition, and explaining the judge's final decision. Participants will select one area of livestock or life skills to focus on during the workshop. They will participate in hands-on judging of three classes.

The deadline to register for the workshop is May 4. The application form is available at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4H , or by calling 902-945-2901 for the Antigonish session or 902-679-6027 for the Windsor session. The cost is $10, including lunch.