By MICHELLE BERAN
Cottonwood Extension District
It’s Fair Time!
If I sound excited, it is because I look forward to interacting with the community and, especially, our 4-H members as they share their year-long project work with judges and all of you!
I love walking through Expo III first thing in the morning to the sound of 4-H members and their families as they begin to feed, water, and clean pens. I love when a 4-H member is so excited to tell me about their judging interaction. I love watching a 4-H youth who struggles to look a judge in the eye and has gained confidence to have that conversation and beam as they walk away. I love to sit quietly with a 4-H member who is facing the finality of a market animal project or their last fair. I love watching family members – sometimes multiple generations – work together to help with livestock projects, learn how to make that angel food cake just right, or to write a thank you note to a buyer or award sponsor.
I am so proud of the patience and perseverance they are developing! Do they get it right every time? Nope, but neither do I. I am so proud of watching skills develop in woodworking or photography or foods – these are lifetime skills that may become hobbies or careers!
4-H is the only Extension program that comes with an inherent level of competition. Competition and good sportsmanship go hand-in-hand and learning how to work hard, be a fair competitor, and humble when you win, or don’t, are life skills that are hard to measure but recognizable when they happen.
This week the weather forecast is HOT! We encourage 4-H families and all participants at the fair to stay cool….in temperature and temperament.
If you see me at the fair, ask me about my favorite thing of the day! If you see a 4-H member at the fair, ask about their favorite thing of the day also. Mostly, come out and support our 4-H members and the community who have entered open class entries. You will be amazed at the Blue Jeans and Big Dreams on display in the Expo buildings.
Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!
Michelle Beran is the 4-H Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at [email protected] or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.