Will your veggies measure up at the fair?

 6/13/01

 BOZEMAN---If your beans are too stringy or your turnips too tough, don’t expect a blue ribbon at the county fair, says Montana State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Bob Gough. 

When eyeing fruits and vegetables, fair judges look for color, shape, size, uniformity and maturity, and will only pin a blue ribbon on the crispest carrots or ripest muskmelon.

Gough has written a publication called “Exhibiting Fruits and Vegetables at the Fair”  that helps Montanans prepare their produce for fair judging. The publication includes sample scorecards for nearly 50 different fruits and vegetables, along with suggested quantities, sizes and qualities to consider. The book also covers vegetable baskets and odd-shaped vegetables and fruits.

 The book is free on-line in Acrobat PDF format: www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/exhibit.html.

For a paper copy ($3), visit your local MSU Extension agent (listed under county government in the phone book), or call in credit card orders to MSU Extension Publications (406) 994-3273. Ask for publication #4447.          

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Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or email Flaherty at carolf@montana.edu.

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