On the last weekend of September Nez Perce held their annual County Fair. Live music, deep fried oreos, carousels; at first look the fair seemed like any other county fair, a vibrant festivity that people look forward to all summer. But after a little time, the ‘4-H’ signs that are part of stands and most showcases start to stand out.
They were scattered all over the fair and they were usually by some of the most interesting showcases. After a while it was hard not to ask, “is this some sort of corporate sponsor that funded these events?” Thankfully the answer is something much more interesting. The 4-H program is the largest youth program in the nation, and county fairs such as this one are where they show off their work.
The program spans from Kindergarden to the end of High school and aims to teach leadership through various projects that kids can participate in. The most intriguing project they had was their livestock showcase. Kids had raised animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and rabbits all summer and this was their chance to exhibit and even auction off their livestock.
“This is my fourth year selling [goats]” explained Sydney McRoberts, a 12 year old who was carefully tending to two goats in the one of the livestock barns. “I’ve cried every time I’ve sold them so far, but I’m going to cry less this year” she said. She continued to explain how she creates a bond with the animals but that she understands that selling them is part of her responsibility. Her parents pay for the initial price for the baby goat and they cover the price of feed, but any profits that Sydney makes goes to her own college fund.
4-H doesn’t take a cut, they simply offer a place for her to sell her livestock and require certain assignments along the way. The kids have to weigh in their animal in the beginning of June. From that point on 4-H requires them to make ‘project summaries’ which include how much their animal has eaten, how much upkeep costs, basic information on how to take care of the animal, and a final weigh in before the fair, where they learn to dress and showcase their animal at the auction.
The 4-H program has spanned for generations, and many of the ‘4-H graduates’ volunteer at the events. “Both me and my husband did this when we were kids” explained Diana Remacle, a mom who was helping the kids organize their showcases. “My husband bought his first car with the money he got from selling his cattle” she continued. Both of her children, ages six and eight, are part of the program.
Yet the livestock was only a part of what the 4-H program was offering at the fair. Kids involved in the program had worked on projects like making birdhouses, designing clothes, photography, gun safety and sharpshooting, baking, growing crops, and intricate lego projects. All of these had similar requirements to raising the livestock, the kids would have to write a report that explained the project, how they did it, and most times, how much each project cost.
Many of the younger children are put into groups that are led by some of the older kids, with the hope of teaching them leadership skills and how to work well together.
4-H also used the event to raise money. Many of the volunteers helped cook a the 4-H food stand and all of the profits were dedicated to helping 4-H projects. Art King, the volunteer that managed 4-H at this fair, explained that most of this money goes to helping groups start up or with materials. It’s the only fundraising event they have all year as most of the projects are self sustaining and almost all of the adults are volunteers. He was also part of the program as a kid and wants to make sure that it continues on in future generations.
Sources:
Art King
2085534492
Mike Orton
2087433302
Timothey Ewers
2088854080
Diana Remacle
2087430969
Sydney McRoberts
(12 year old kid, no contact info)
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