4-H livestock interviews

All youth exhibiting 4-H livestock at the Minnesota State Fair must participate in a 4-H livestock interview process to be eligible for recognition for a purple ribbon, championships, showcase and auction. 

Note: Dairy exhibitors have a different process.

You must complete your interview online by 6 p.m. on: 

• Tuesday, Aug. 19 for all beef, dairy goat, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine exhibitors

• Tuesday, Aug. 26 for llama-alpaca exhibitors

Interview process by species

Dairy exhibitors

Dairy exhibitor interviews are somewhat different than other species as they are scheduled on Friday. It has not changed from previous years. Dairy exhibitors should consult the dairy section of the premium book for times.

All other exhibitors (beef, dairy goat, llama-alpaca, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine)

1. All 4-H state fair livestock exhibitors are required to go through the interview process for their species. If this expectation is not met, the 4-H'er will be eligible to place no higher than a blue and is not eligible for purple, champion or the MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction. This includes showmanship awards.

2. There are two components to the interview test process – the educational podcast and the online test. 4-H'ers should first complete the educational podcast and then take the test associated with the animal they will show at the state fair. This can be done on any device with internet access. If you don’t have internet access, contact your local staff for assistance.

3. The answers for three questions on the test will come from the educational podcast, the rest of the questions will be species specific.

4. Exhibitors have 60 minutes to complete the podcast and test.

5. If an exhibitor takes the test more than once only the first score will count.

6. There will be no make-up interviews (dairy is the exception due to on-campus experience).

7. All callback and final interviews will be held on the fairgrounds; the location for each specie is listed in the premium book.

8. Interview finalists' names will be posted at the individual species office.

9. The educational podcast and interview test must be completed no later than 6 p.m. (NOTE: Different deadline dates for livestock exhibitors and llama-alpaca exhibitors):

   •  Tuesday, Aug. 19 for all beef, dairy goat, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine exhibitors

   • Tuesday, Aug. 26 for llama-alpaca exhibitors

All 4-H livestock exhibitors (except dairy) should select and complete their species' interview based on the grade completed in 2025. 

Livestock interviews will include an educational podcast, followed by a 25 question quiz.

Livestock interview links will be live July 20 - Aug. 20 (except the llama-alpaca links).