Department 19: Town and Country HorticultureCo-Superintendents: Gloria Aanonson 507-438-7393 and Leland Aanonson
NOTE: PLEASE Pre-register by 5 p.m on Friday August 7. This helps us serve you quickly on Entry Day and reduces wait.Pre-register any Class & Lot you think you may enter – unused tags will be deleted prior to judging.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND TIMES-PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE WEST DOOR
Sunday 1–6 PM: Pre-registration is required. We will only take those items that day. Bring in entries that are safely stored at room temperature.
Monday 9–4:00: Entry Day - come as early in the day as possible. Exhibitors with 10 or more entries should arrive by 3 p.m. Doors close promptly at 4:30 p.m. for judging.
Sunday, Closing day from 6:00 -7:00 PM. EXHIBIT RELEASE & PREMIUM PICK-UP.
Items not picked up may be retrieved the following week during Fair office hours.
General Rules (please read & follow all rules and Class guidelines carefully):
1. Entry is open to any resident of Mower County and surrounding counties. Divisions are OPEN to all ages, unless listed for YOUTH (Ages 17 and under). Only one entry per Class unless otherwise noted in the rules. If unsure of the appropriate Division and Class, please call the Superintendent or ask on entry day.
2. All entries competing for premiums must be grown and prepared by the exhibitor, and in the current year, unless otherwise noted.
3. Each entry must contain the exact amount or number specified in each Division and Class, and be displayed on provided trays. Write the name of the variety on your entry tag, if known. More points may be awarded for named specimens.
4. Clean the surface only. Items must not be scrubbed, or the surface texture changed. Follow instructions for display and trimming for each Class.
5. Items showing signs of disease, pests or spoilage will not be judged. Perishable items that spoil may be removed after judging, preserving the ribbon or award in place.
6. The fair staff, volunteers or Fair Board is not responsible for loss or damage to exhibits or containers.
7. Judges’ decisions are final and are based on the entry’s worthiness. Based on the number of entries in a single Class, judges may create sub classes for awards (e.g. color, variety).
8. Judges are not required to award ribbons for each place in a Division or Class. This includes Grand and Reserve Champion ribbons.
Premiums (subject to change): 1st 2nd 3rd
Single specimen lots $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
Collections/Arrangements $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
and as noted by Division and Class.
FRUIT and NUTSDivision 01 Apples (5 specimens) [Stems attached; do not polish; no leaves or fruit spurs]
Class
01. Beacon
02. Duchess
03. Fireside
04. Haralson
05. Honeycrisp
06. Honey Gold
07. McIntosh
08. Northwest Greening
09. Sweet Sixteen
10. Any other variety
Division 02 Crab Apples (10 specimens) [Stems attached; do not polish; no leaves or fruit spurs]
Class
01. Centennial
02. Chestnut
03. Dolgo
04. Whitney
05. Any other variety (Must write the NAME on the printed tag)
Division 03 Plums (5 specimens) [Stems attached]
Class
01. La Crescent
02. Mt. Royal
03. Pipestone
04. Superior
05. Sapa
06. Toka
07. Any other variety (Must write the NAME on the printed tag)
Division 04 Grapes (2 small bunches) [Compact bunches with natural bloom]
Class
01. Grapes any blue variety
02. Grapes any red variety
03. Grapes any white variety
04. Grapes – beta (cross with wild grape)
Division 05 Other Fruits [Mature and market ready]
Class
01. Blackberries (plate of 12) [no stems or cores]
02. Blueberries (plate of 12)
03. Ground Cherries (plate of 12)
04. Muskmelon or Cantaloupe (1 specimen)
05. Pears (5 specimens)
06. Raspberries, Red (plate of 12) [no stems or cores]
07. Rhubarb, pulled (3 stalks) (with no more than 1 inch of leaf on stalk)
08. Watermelon large (1 specimen) [trim stem 1 inch]
09. Watermelon miniature (1 specimen)
10. Any other fruit – specimen numbers similar to sizes above. (Write NAME on the printed tag)
Division 06 Nuts (Previous Year)
Class
01. Walnuts in shell (5 specimens)
02. Hazelnut shelled (10 specimens)
03. Walnuts shelled (small jar) (e.g. ½ pint)
04. Any other in or out of shell (5-10 specimens) ……………… (Write NAME on the printed tag)
Division 07 Fruit Collections [Each variety presented and labeled appropriately]
Class
01. Apples, 3 or more varieties – 2 specimens of each
02. Crab Apples, 3 or more varieties – 5 specimens of each
03. Berries 3 or more varieties – 5 specimens of each
04. Grapes 3 or more varieties – 1 small bunch each
05. Plums 3 or more varieties – 2 specimens of each
06. Artistic Display of Fruit – 3 or more different varieties
FIELD CROPSDivision 08 Grains – [All samples, except ear corn, to be displayed in 1-gallon clear plastic resealable bag] Crop shown should be from prior year unless specified: Prior year (P) or Current year (C)
Class
01. Winter wheat (P)
02. Oats (P) or (C)
03. Barley (P)
04. Soybeans (P)
05. Shelled corn hybrid (P)
06. Ear corn, dry, hybrid - 5 ears (P)
07. Ear corn, dry, Indian or Rainbow – 5 ears (P)
Division 09 Sheaf grains and grasses - Current year (C)Sheaf must be compact, 3 inches in diameter at center band. Attractiveness of the sheaf and manner of display will count in judging.
Class
01. Soybeans
02. Clover
03. Oats
04. Alfalfa
Division 10 Other - Current year (C)
Class
01. Baled hay – minimum of 12 inches, tied
02. Tallest stalk of corn [measured from top of soil level by Superintendent at the time of entry]
Division 11 Potatoes [10 specimens per Class – do NOT scrub]
Class
01. Kennebek
02. Norland
03. Red Pontiac
04. Russet
05. Any Fingerling potato (20 specimens)
06. Any other red variety [must be named]
07. Any other white variety [must be named]
08. Any other color [must be named]
Division 12 Sweet Corn [husked, 5 ears per Class]
Class
01. Bicolor sweet corn
02. White sweet corn
03.Yellow sweet corn
04. Any other [must be named]
CULINARY VEGETABLES [Select Division 13 or Division 14 and specify Class]
Division 13 Vegetables - ADULT / OPEN
Division 14 Vegetables - YOUTH Ages 17 and under
Premiums: Single item Class 1st $5.00 2nd $4.00 3rd $3.00
Collections 1st $5.00 2nd $4.00 3rd $3.00
Class [do not wash except to remove loose soil and follow Class instructions]
01. Beans climbing (8 specimens) [leave stem attached, no constrictions between seeds]
02. Beans green (8 specimens) [leave stem attached, no constrictions between seeds]
03. Beans purple (8 specimens) [leave stem attached, no constrictions between seeds]
04. Beans wax (8 specimens) [leave stem attached, no constrictions between seeds]
05. Beets (3 specimens) [trim tops to 1-2 inches above crown; leave 1-2 inches of tap root]
06. Broccoli (1 crown) [cut stem 5 to 6 inches from top of head]
07. Cabbage green flat (1 head) [trim stem ¼ to ½ inch below the head; leave 2-3 outside wrapper leaves]
08. Cabbage green round (1 head) [trim stem ¼ to ½ inch below the head; leave 2-3 outside wrapper leaves]
09. Cabbage red (1 head) [trim stem ¼ to ½ inch below the head; leave 2-3 outside wrapper leaves]
10. Carrots (3 specimens) [trim tops to 1-2 inches above crown; leave 1-2 inches of tap root]
11. Cauliflower (1 head) [cut stems so as to leave 4-5 outer wrapper leaves]
12. Celery (1 bunch) [trim base evenly to about 1 inch; remove leaves of stalk until color is uniform]
13. Cucumber pickling -under 3” long (6 specimens) [trim stems evenly to ¼ to ½ inch]
14. Cucumber pickling - 3” to 5” long (3 specimens) [trim stems evenly to ¼ to ½ inch]
15. Cucumber slicing, 5” to 10” long (3 specimens) [trim stems evenly to ¼ to ½ inch]
16. Cucumber seedless Asian, over 8” long (3 specimens) [trim stems evenly to ¼ to ½ inch]
17. Dill any variety – (3 specimens) [in water]
18. Eggplant egg shaped (1 specimen) [trim stems 1 ½ to 2 inches]
19. Eggplant cylindrical (1 specimen) [trim stems 1 ½ to 2 inches]
20. Eggplant globular (1 specimen) [trim stems 1 ½ to 2 inches]
21. Garlic (3 specimens) [trim roots to ½ inch and trim stems evenly]
22. Gourd’s ornamental, small (includes mini pumpkin) (5 specimens) [trim stems 1 ½ to 2 inches]
23. Herbs freshly cut, labeled (3 even stems) [potted herbs may be submitted in Department 18]
24. Kohlrabi any color (3 specimens) [trim leaves on upper 1/3 to 4-6 in.; remove lower leaves & root]
25. Leeks (3 specimens) [trim roots to ½”, trim leaves to uniform length]
26. Onion green or pulling (3 specimens) [trim roots to ½” do not peel; trim tops 3 inches above the white]
27. Onion red (3 specimens) [do not peel; trim tops to uniform 1-2 inches; trim roots to ½ inch]
28. Onion white (3 specimens) [do not peel; trim tops to uniform 1-2inches; trim roots to ½ inch]
29. Onion yellow (3 specimens) [do not peel; trim tops to uniform 1-2inches; trim roots to ½ inch]
30. Peas edible pod (8 specimens) [leave stems attached]
31. Peas garden variety (5 specimens) [leave stems attached]
32. Pepper hot red (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
33. Pepper hot yellow (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
34. Pepper jalapeno (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
35. Pepper hot any other variety named (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
36. Pepper sweet green or red (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
37. Pepper sweet yellow (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
38. Pepper sweet any other variety named (3 specimens) [trim stems to uniform length ½ to 1 inch]
39. Pumpkin field (1 specimen) [trim stem to 2 inches]
40. Pumpkin round pie type (1 specimen) [trim stem to 2 inches]
41. Radish (6 specimens) [refrigerate before exhibiting; secure bunch with leaves, roots washed]
42. Root vegetables for table use named (i.e. parsnip, rutabaga, turnip) – (3 specimens) [trim tops to 1-2 inches above crown; leave 2 inches of tap root]
43. Squash summer crook neck (3 specimens) 6” to 8” [trim stem to ½ inch]
44. Squash summer zucchini (3 specimens) under 10” [trim stem to ½ inch]
45. Squash summer any other variety, named (3 specimens) [size per named variety, trim stem to ½ inch]
46. Squash winter acorn (1 specimen) [leave stem attached, trim to 2 – 3 inches]
47. Squash winter buttercup (1 specimen) [leave stem attached, trim to 2 – 3 inches]
48. Squash winter butternut (1 specimen) [leave stem attached, trim to 2 – 3 inches]
49. Squash winter Hubbard type (1 specimen) [leave stem attached, trim to 2 – 3 inches]
50. Squash winter any other variety (1 specimen) [must be named, leave stem attached, trim to 2 – 3 inches]
51. Tomato mini cherry or grape cluster type – (1 cluster) [show one cluster]
52. Tomato cherry over .75 inch (6 specimens) [uniform size, shape, color; remove stems]
53. Tomato paste Roma type (3 specimens) [uniform size, shape, color; remove stems]
54. Tomato pear small yellow (6 specimens) [uniform size, shape, color; remove stems]
55. Tomato red (3 specimens) [uniform size, shape, color; remove stems]
56. Tomato any other variety (3 or 6 specimens), depending on size [must be named, uniform size, shape, color; remove stems]
57. Any other small vegetable not listed above (less than 4.5 inches) – (3 specimens) [must be named]
58. Any other large vegetable not listed above (more than 5 inches) – (1 specimen) [must be named]
59. Garden Creature, created with mostly WHOLE vegetables [Division 14 only – YOUTH – please print age of entrant on printed tag] More than one entry per family allowed.
60. Largest vegetable – [Please add a label with the variety and a story to go with it]
Division 15 Collections and Arrangements
Premiums: 1st $5.00 2nd $4.00 3rd $3.00
Class
01. Home Garden Collection - Collection showing six kinds of garden produce, artistically arranged, in one box or basket.
02. Culinary Herb Collection – 3 stems each of 5 varieties, labeled (may be fresh or dried)
03. Braided Garlic Rope for drying - minimum 12 inches long
04. Braided Onion Rope for drying - minimum 12 inches long
05. Pepper Ristra, fresh pepper drying - minimum of 12 inches long or wreath form
06. Garden Scarecrow - not to exceed 6 ft. in height (must be able to stand freely).
07. Crop Art - (New class for 2026 see rules below)
Rules for Crop Art
All seeds shall be those specimens grown and propagated in Minnesota. Seeds may be from crops; vegetable and flower plants; trees and grasses. All seeds used shall be in their natural color. Seeds can be in various forms such as whole. ground, rolled or cracked. If the seed display is either ground, cracked or rolled it cannot exceed 20% of the area of the artist’s work. A detailed list can be found in the MN State Fair Competitions Ag-Hort-Bee, Division 101-Crop Art. Common and noxious weed seeds or plant parts are not permitted. https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plantsinsects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list.
Suitable backgrounds should be flat and able to support the glued seeds or crop materials without sagging or buckling. Some options include plywood, canvas board, heavy mat board, paneling, burlap, linen and suitable other fabric. Size shall be no larger than 12” X 14”. Entry must be prepared for hanging or framed if possible.
ENTRY MUST include a Legend Card. No larger than 4" x 6” to list the name of all items used and to glue on the legible legend card a few specimens of the seeds used. Place the legend card in a plastic bag and tape it to the back of the exhibit. Failure to provide a Legend Card will result in a disqualification.
Contact the Department Supervisor if you have any questions or need more information.
IMPORTANT:
Please pick up exhibits and premiums Sunday from 6-7:00 PM
or Monday during Fair office hours