2023 Ag Mechanics Rules
Entry Fee: $30.00 per entry due October 1, 2023
SUPERINTENDENT: JOSH SHAFER
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: ROGER JONES
1. All entries in this division will be subject to the general rules and eligibility of the Harvest Festival Livestock Show. If a conflict in rules exists, the special rules of this division will prevail. Each entry must be completed under the supervision of a supervising leader.
2. Numbers will be assigned to all projects at the time of check-in. Projects must be checked in between 4:00 and 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Maude Cobb Activity Center.
3. Entries must be made online by October 1, 2023.
4. Individual projects should be solely owned and all major construction steps completed by the individual. This does not prohibit assistance in holding for nailing or other minor help. Partnership projects will be allowed with a maximum of 4 students per project.
5. The Project Show will be divided into 9 classes:
Class 1: Livestock Equipment – Example: Livestock Feeders, Entry Gates, Saddle Rack, Livestock Carrier
Class 2: Agriculture Machinery and Equipment – Example: Tractor Implements, Shop Equipment, Hay Handling Equipment
Class 3: Yard Conveniences – Example: Wood Racks, Swings, Play Houses, Arbors
Class 4: Picnic Tables – Example: Picnic Tables
Class 5: Household – Example: Cedar Chests, Shelves, Coffee Tables, Household Furniture
Class 6: Bar-B-Q – Example: Bar-B-Q pits, Fire Pits
Class 7: Wildlife – Example: Hog Traps, Deer Stands, Wildlife Feeders
Class 8: Trailers – Example: Utility Trailers, Livestock Trailers
Class 9: Fire Pits – Not intended to be used for cooking
6. The show will be divided into a Sale and a No-Sale category. There will be a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion in each of the two categories. The highest placing in each class will be considered for Champion and Reserve of the two categories.
7. In each class 5 projects will be recognized, with prizes going to the top 2 in each class. Other awards given will be Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of the two categories, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Sweepstakes.
8. The groups with the most points will be awarded with Grand and Reserve Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes points follow:
Class Placing:
1st Place – 5 Points
2nd Place – 4 Points
3rd Place – 3 Points
4th Place – 2 Points
5th Place – 1 Point
Other Available Points:
Grand Champion Sale Project – 5 Points
Reserve Champion Sale Project – 4 Points
Grand Champion Non – Sale Project – 5 Points
Reserve Champion Non – Sale Project – 4 Points
Grand Champion Individual Showmanship – 5 points
Grand Champion Group Showmanship – 5 points
9. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion in the Sale Category will be placed in the premium auction. All other sale items will be eligible for silent auction.
10. Awards for showmanship will be presented in two different categories. The two categories will be individual showmanship (built and presented by one student) and group showmanship (built and presented by a team of students). The same set of judges will judge showmanship as well as the project show (no surprise or undercover judges). Individual showmanship winner will receive a buckle and group showmanship winner will receive a plaque.
11. Projects must be built since the previous Harvest Festival and exhibited by an exhibitor presently active in 4-H or FFA clubs or chapters.
12. All projects are deemed finished upon their arrival for check in at the show. No alterations or additions to any project (structural or cosmetic) will be made after arrival. No touch up painting or wet paint of any type will be allowed at check-in time or anytime thereafter. In the event that a project is damaged during transport to the show, necessary repairs will only be made once approved by and under the supervision of the show management. Projects that arrive at the show in multiple parts/pieces and require assembly may be assembled as long as the show superintendents are notified beforehand.
13. Exhibitors will be allowed a maximum of 2 Ag. Mechanics projects.
14. Ag. Mechanics entries will be counted separately from the livestock projects. A student may have 2 livestock entries and 2 Ag. Mechanics entries. In the premium sale a student can only have 2 entries.
15. Entries not qualifying for the premium sale will be eligible for the silent auction. Silent auction bid sheets may be placed as early as the completion of the show. The bid sheets will be pulled no sooner than one and a half hours after the start of the premium sale. All entries must be removed Saturday night. Silent auction bid sheets will be provided by the show management. Any other bid sheet may be removed and bids deemed ineligible.
16. Any Ag Mechanics project determined by the superintendents and executive committee to be unsafe will be disqualified and removed from the show grounds.
RULE REGARDING SAFETY/DOT REQUIREMENTS
All trailers and other projects that are to be operated and/or transported on public roads are to be equipped with the safety equipment specified in the Vehicles and Traffic Transportation Code of Texas. Any trailer that exceeds 102 inches (metal to metal) in width must have a signed annual permit. All towed equipment, regardless of standards, is to be equipped with safety chains. Current registration plates or one trip permits and paper plates are required on all trailers that are towed to the show. Hauled trailers are exempt from this rule. Necessary safety equipment includes but is not limited to safety chains, trailer brakes, adequate lights/reflectors, breakaway devices, etc. Any trailer that is deemed to be unsafe/unsuitable for towing from the show or does not meet the required DOT regulations will not be allowed to sell in the premium auction/silent auction and may be required to forfeit any prizes or recognition from the show.
