For years I worked as superintendent of the 4-H department at the Western Idaho Fair. I figured it was a little extra money to go visit my daughter. I had judged produce at the fair for years but after the judging was finished I didn’t go back. I don’t know why not because I’m an Idaho Girl. I can remember when the fairgrounds were up on Fairview (wow, if that doesn’t date me!) and I’ve always loved the fair. But I guess I got tired of the crowds and expensive food and blah, blah. I’d forgotten what the fair was all about. I’d forgotten where the fun was.
One of the first days, as I was walking across the fairgrounds, I heard a couple of kids comment on the tractor pull. What’s that all about they wondered? I listened as their grandmother told them about how fairs got started and why they used to be so important to a community. Celebrating the end of the season with a community gathering and finally, after a long season of work, a little fun and friendly competition. Being knowledgeable in the areas of farm and home was a matter of providing for your family, and surviving long winters. The rides came later.
I wasn’t involved in 4-H as a child. I was a girl scout and my children followed suit so I didn’t know a lot about the specifics of the 4-H program. I had friends that were in 4-H and they learned to sew. They made cool things and I can only sew pillowcases. (or anything else that only requires a straight line). I knew some 4-Her’s had animals because looking at animals during the fair was always one of my favorite things. That was what I wanted to do!! My parents, however, were against horses (my real love), or donkeys or goats (my other choices) in the back yard. For some reason, I didn’t know that in 4-H almost any animal from cats, dogs, hamsters and guinea pigs to rabbits and chickens could be used for a project. Most of those, at one time or another were a part of our household. These past few weeks, after being around so many 4-H kids and families and learning more about this program, I feel like I was gypped as a child and that I gypped my kids by not getting them involved in this wonderful program.
I watched kids have a one on one interview with a judge about a project they had completed and submitted to the fair, answering questions about why they’d chosen that particular project and what they’d learned. I listened and learned from kids as they did a 4-H demonstration. Before a panel of judges, and a ‘fair sized’ audience they spoke and demonstrated something they learned this year in 4-H. What a great introduction to public speaking. To me, they were all blue ribbon winners, even if they didn’t’ take a blue ribbon home.
I appreciated the ‘family’ feel that seemed to be present in the 4-H department. The support that was offered and the memories of good times shared. The ever- present feeling that the child’s well being comes first. A comment from someone that has worked in the 4-H program for years is a wonderful philosophy regarding working with youth, “Leave them with something golden”. Every child should be so fortunate. Know a youth 5-18 that might be interested in 4-H? Contact your local country extension office about 4-H programs. You won’t be sorry.
• Debbie Cook is the host of the D&B Gardening radio show, a horticultural assistant, advanced master gardener and certified arborist. E-mail her at dcook@dbsupply.com.