I don't know if it's the same in each county state but your son should be starting out as a cloverbud until he's 9 and then he can become an actual member.My son who just turned 7 is and they teach them just bits and pieces of each project available but there isn't any competition involved but they do a project as a group and show it at the fair and everyone gets a ribbon.You also have to relize if showing chickens is what your son would like to do then a min. of 25 birds is what you will need but only needs a trio to show at the fair.One rooster and two hens. That's how ours works not sure if it's the same.Good luck and hope he has fun with it!