GARDENING WITH THE COUNTY FAIR

Hillsborough County Fair competitive and educational exhibit for the
2021 Hillsborough County Fair! 

Back to Your Roots is an educational program designed to educate about the importance of agriculture, where their food comes from and how it grows. 

HYDROPONIC DIVISION 

• YOUTH DIVISION: Open to any school or class grades K-12th grade in Hillsborough County – Public, Private or Charter schools or Homeschool groups. 

• OPEN DIVISION: Open to any adult (over 18 years of age) that is a Hillsborough County Resident 
• Gardens should be planted no later than August 15, 2021 to allow enough time to grow. Must begin with seeds or plugs. 
• Entries due Sept 15, 2021 for hydroponic division 
• YOUTH: Class or School grows garden on-site at school as a class or school project 
• Hydroponic system can be any hydroponic system, but system must be portable and set up on fairgrounds. 
• Garden systems must grow (1) variety of each: Vegetable, Flower and Herb 
• Class/School Hydroponic Garden can be set up on Wed. Sept 22, 2021 between the hours of 12 pm – 5 pm and will stay on display through Sept 23-Oct 3, 2021 
• Entry will need picked up from fairgrounds Sunday, October 3 after 7 pm or Monday, October 4 from 12 pm – 6 pm 
• There will be not be an entry fee, but you must pre-register. 
• Awards will be given based on: Blue Ribbon $10, Red Ribbon $7, White Ribbon $5 
• 1st place will receive a $50 cash award & 1st place will be eligible for OVERALL Grand Prize 
• Gardens will be judged on quality of garden. 

STUDENT RECYCLED “CARTON GARDEN” 

• Open to any youth ages 5-11 enrolled in public, private, charter or homeschool in Hillsborough County. 
• Student raises a garden in any type of carton or container, made of recycled material 
• Examples: Milk Carton, Boot, Dresser drawer, Soda Bottle 
• BE CREATIVE! Check out ideas online or on Pinterest 
• Container or Carton must be portable and no bigger than 36×36 inches 
• Carton submitted on Wed. Sept 22, 2021 between the hours of 12 pm – 5 pm and will stay on display through Sept 23-Oct 3, 2021 
• Entry will need picked up from fairgrounds Sunday, October 3 after 7 pm or Monday, October 4 from 12 pm – 6 pm. 
• There is no entry fee per student, but student must pre-register. 
• Entries are due Sept 15, 2021 for the student carton garden. 
• Awards will be given based on: Blue Ribbon $10, Red Ribbon $7, White Ribbon $5 
• 1st place Overall Garden will receive a $50 cash award & 1st place winner will be eligible for OVERALL Grand Prize 
• Entry will be judged on overall container and creativeness. 

Student will receive plants at conclusion of fair during pickup hours. 

PORTABLE CONTAINER GARDEN 

• Open to any school or class grades K-12th grade in Hillsborough County – Public, Private or Charter schools or Homeschool groups. 
• Students raises a garden in any type or carton or container that is portable 
• Examples: recycle bin, wooden box, plastic Kiddie swimming pool 
• BE CREATIVE! Check out ideas online or on Pinterest 
• Container or Carton must be portable and no bigger than 48×48 inches. 
• Entries must be received by September 15, 2021 
• Gardens should be planted no later than August 15, 2021 to allow enough time to grow. 
• Garden systems must grow (1) variety of each: Vegetable, Flower and Herb 
• Garden to be submitted to fair on Wed. Sept 22, 2021 between the hours of 12 pm – 5 pm and will stay on display through Sept 23-Oct 3, 2021 
• Entry picked up from fairgrounds after 7 PM on Sunday, Oct 3 or Monday, Oct 4 from 12 pm – 6 pm. 
• There will not be an entry fee but you must pre-register. 
• Awards will be given in the following categories; Most Unique Recycled, Best Quality Garden, Most Practical and Best Overall, 1st place in each category will be eligible for the Overall Grand prize 
• Awards will be given based on: Blue Ribbon $10, Red Ribbon $7, White Ribbon $5 
• 1st place in each category will receive a $50 cash award 
• Entry will be judged on overall container and creativeness, quality of garden and uniqueness.