4-H Plant Science Fair Resources

In-Person Horticulture, Tree, Grass & Weed ID Contests

Open to all 4-H'ers from all counties, ages 9–18 (by Jan. 1 of the current year) — need not be enrolled in a horticulture project. Youth choose which contest(s) to participate in. Participants will be able to use a list of plants while identifying samples.

Date: Tuesday June 18, 2024 at 10 a.m.–Noon

Location: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Conference Rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Rd, Suite A, Lincoln

Registration deadline: Monday, June 17, 2024 by calling 402-441-7180.

Contest options include:

• Tree Identification — identify tree samples. See “Tree Identification Manual” (4H332) for a list of trees that will be used.
• Grass-Weed Identification — identify grass and weed samples.
• Horticulture Contest — identify samples of vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and landscape ornamentals. The plant list contains plants commonly used or sold in Nebraska.

Lancaster County 4-H Online Tree and Grass & Weed ID Contests

Open to all youth and adults. Enrollment in 4-H is not required to participate. The 2024 contests will be open from Friday, June 7, 9 a.m. through Friday, June 21, 9 a.m.

Rules and links to participate

Nebraska 4-H Online Horticulture Judging Contest

A statewide online Horticulture Judging Contest which tests 4-H'ers knowledge in three areas: general knowledge questions, plant part and seed identification, as well as a judging portion. The 2024 contest will be held Friday, June 7, 8 a.m. through Friday, June 21, 8 a.m.).

Rules and link to participate

Tree ID Contest Study Resources:

• Tree Identification Manual (4-H 332), Nebraska Extension publication. $5.50 for pdf.

Weed and Grass ID Contest Study Resources:

• Weed & Grass Plant List for Identification Contest, Nebraska 4-H (pdf).
• Common Grasses of Nebraska (EC170), Nebraska Extension publication. Free web versions, $5 for print version.
• Weeds of the Great Plains. $35 for hardbound book. Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Horticulture Contest Study Resources:

• NJHA Horticulture Contest Identification Answer Sheet, National Example (pdf)
• Landscape Ornamentals, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file)
• Flowers and Indoor Plants, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file)
• Vegetables, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file)