Summertime brings many activities for families in New Hampshire, but for 4-H families, it means fair time! Since the beginning of the 4-H program, youth members have been bringing their projects to the local county fair to demonstrate their skills and showcase the numerous 4-H project areas to the public. Today, NH 4-H is fortunate to be represented at all 10 county fairs across the state. Hundreds of 4-H members and volunteers will travel to the fairs this 2024 season with their projects ready to show off their hard work and promote the 4-H program.
There are numerous ways a 4-H member can participate in the county fair, but the way that often comes to mind is the animals. Agriculture and animals are the roots of the 4-H program, and that legacy carries on today. 4-H members select project animals in the spring and work for months to train them, groom them, and make them show ring-ready. The product the public sees at the fair is the result of months of dedication, effort, and perseverance (it’s not easy training a 1200 lb steer to walk on a halter!). For all the animals, 4-H members are judged on how well they present their animal to the judge through a “Fit and Show” class, and additionally, the animals are judged on their confirmation (body structure) and productive capabilities.
Olivia Nason is an eight-year member of the Highland Riders 4-H Club, where she shows her Scottish Highland cattle. “There’s a lot that goes into fair season. The stalls get decorated for the public to come and see; there are late nights washing cows and early mornings in the barn getting everything ready for show day. In the show ring, it’s game on. You have to be calm, cool, and collected so that your animal is calm, cool and collected”. For 4-H members like Olivia, showing animals in the summer is something they look forward to every year, and by doing so, have developed a true passion for the animal agriculture industry.
In addition to agriculture, 4-H has roots in home economics, sewing and cooking. These projects and more are showcased by youth in the 4-H Exhibit Hall. Visitors to the 4-H Exhibit Hall will see isles of crafts, baked goods, clothing, textiles, fruits, vegetables, flowers, posters, photography, robotics displays and more. Throughout the year, 4-H members meet with project leaders to learn new patterns, tweak recipes and hone their craft to enter a picture-perfect product at the fair. Judges will then evaluate the project and give 4-H members feedback so they can continue to “make their best better.” 4-H’ers can pursue their personal interests – some might use their STEM skills to design a robot to shoot a basketball while others let their creativity shine by designing a prom dress to wear to their high school dance.
While at the fair, make sure to stop by the 4-H Food Booth or Ice Cream Parlor for delicious meals and treats. Proceeds from these sales go back into the county 4-H program and help to fund scholarships for events like the NH 4-H Teen Conference, National 4-H trips, and more. The food booths are completely run by volunteers. 4-H youth and parents dedicate their time to preparing and serving food to give back to a program that provides so much meaning to them. The workers are more than happy to chat with any visitor about their time in 4-H and how to get involved.
Behind every 4-H member is a village of parents and volunteers who are supporting them from the side of the ring. 4-H at the fair would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers who help facilitate the shows, oversee the barns and, most importantly, serve as champions for youth in their 4-H projects. Kim Hudson is a 29-year volunteer with Cheshire County 4-H. For many years she has served as a fair superintendent for 4-H beef and dairy shows across the state. “My favorite part of being a 4-H superintendent is watching the youth grow over the years,” noted Kim. “They surpass their own expectations of what they can learn.”
It is a large commitment to exhibit at the fair and most families even choose to camp overnight on the fairgrounds. By doing so, they create their own little community and have fun connecting with new and old friends. While the point of the fair is to allow 4-H members to showcase their projects and create goals for next year, the side effects of community and belonging are almost as evident. Lauren Gardner, a recent NH 4-H alum, reflected on her own time at the fairs as a 4-H member: “Attending the fairs always meant a time to visit with friends from all around the state and even some from neighboring states to catch up and make new memories in and out of show ring.”
There is no better place to get a taste of 4-H than at the county fair. In one place, families can see every aspect of the program and gain a real sense of the community that comes along with participating in the program. 4-H is open to youth ages 8 to 18, with a special Cloverbud program for youth ages 5 to 7. To encourage learning after high school, NH 4-H members are given a unique scholarship opportunity – they can earn $500 per year of active 4-H participation to go towards enrollment at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham or Manchester campus, up to a maximum of $5,000 per enrollment year ($20,000 total).
With so many avenues for youth and volunteers, be sure to get out this summer and visit a county fair close to home, learn how to get involved, and show your support for NH 4-H!
