Creating A winning display board for your Horticulture Fair Mini-Booth Created by: Melissa Riley Central Region Ag Education

FOLLOW THE RULES! Exhibits should fit into pre-built display areas provided by the Fair. The display area will be a triangle 30"x30"x36", with a two-sided backdrop of 30"x24" panels hinged together. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR DISPLAYS EXTENDING BEYOND THESE DIMENSIONS. Use of the “floor” of the mini booth to create a three-dimensional exhibit is strongly encouraged.

BE IN THE KNOW! Know ahead of time what the judges are looking for, below is how your project will be graded. Title related to horticulture (10 pts), Attractiveness/neatness (15 pts), Creativity / Uniqueness (20 pts), Educational value - information provided student's own work (30 pts), Use of 3D display space (25 pts.).

HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF! Exhibits must include: theme title, typed or computer generated written information some type of visual (e.g., pictures, models) related to the theme of the minibooth.

Now lets get started!!!

Choosing a topic (10pts) For mini-booths, you need a pick a topic that is current and addresses a need in today’s HORTICULTURE industry. Mini-booth exhibitors should research horticulture organization websites for ideas. Pick 1 specific topic, for example don’t pick insects this is too broad instead narrow it down to only butterflies or just greenhouse insects.

Project Title Your title needs to be large and easy to see. It should to be typed or cut out in letters that are easy to read. Pick a title that is catchy and will grab people’s attention.

Information related to topic (30 pts) You should have enough information on your topic that you cover at least 40% of your backboard with typed information. Your information should be informative and exact. Give specific details about your exact topic that would be beneficial for people to know. For example if your topic is vegetable gardening your topics could be – preparing the soil, when to plant and what to plant, proper care, and when to harvest.

Don’t just “copy & paste” Copy and Pasting someone else's work and attaching it to your backboard is plagiarizing. Make sure you carefully read the information that you are putting on your project and that it is all relevant to your topic. If you are using a website, either give them credit for the information you use or reword it into your own words.

Type every- thing All information on your display should be typed. Should have a large enough font that it is easy to read and a judge will not strain trying to read the smaller print. You should use a plain font without fancy, hard to interpret lettering.

Backboard Color (attractiveness) 15pts Good color schemes You should use a background that stands out but does not take away from your project information. Do not use color patterns that are too busy or distracting. If you are using multiple colors, make sure they compliment each other.

“Back up” your information To give your display a more professional look put a background and/or border around all items on your display. This will also help your information stand out to anyone looking at your project. Make sure the color you pick for borders compliment the overall look of your display.

Neatness Counts! I’m sure you have heard teachers say for years “neatness counts” and your display board is no exception. The edges on all pages need to be cut in straight lines or with professional looking edges. Make sure everything on your backboard is glued down and secured properly. No edges or corners coming up or papers falling off.

Slightly too cluttered – information overlapping No Clutter!!! Don’t over clutter your backboard by trying to include too much information. Even if the information seems neat, if everything is too close together someone viewing your background may feel overwhelmed and they may walk away before taking the time to decipher what all the information covers. Slightly too cluttered – information overlapping

Creativity (20 pts) Add small touches to your backboard to make it stand out and set it apart from others with similar topics.

Add pictures!! Adding pictures helps get your information across to the judges. You can also use pictures to show examples of what your information is covering.

Visual Aids / Use of 3D display space (25 pts.) Use the table space below your display to include visual aids. Visual Aids help explain and give a more hands on approach to different aspects of your project. Think of the bottom of your display as a 3-D way to get your information across.

You now have the steps to create a winning horticulture mini-booth! Good Luck!