The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1475797
101 years of 4-H a tradition in Pike County By Brooke Goble Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development/ Health and Human Sciences More than 6.3 million youth participate in 4-H from 70 dif- ferent countries around the world and we are just a small, but mighty portion. 4-H isn't just exhibiting projects at the county fair, it is providing youth with real-life education- al opportunities, but it also empowers youth to become true leaders. True leaders are youth who have confidence; know how to work well with others; can endure through challenges; and will stick with a job until it gets done. During the 2022 Pike Coun- ty 4-H Fair, 4-H youth experi- enced first hand how to en- dure challenges. Like the entire area encoun- tered, it was a rainy week. Families and youth had to learn how to be flexible as live- stock shows and events were canceled or moved to a differ- ent day or area due to storms. Day one of fair week started with a bang…literally! Severe thunderstorms sent ever yone to find shelter and unexpect- edly lose power for hours. No power you say? No problem! Livestock 4-H members were up for the challenge, and still made sure all chores were completed and animals were safe before heading home for the night. All of the rain and mud made shows and clean stalls more challenging, but the youth remained enthusi- astic and turned that muddy mess into mud games. Youth exhibiting static (building) projects brought all of their big and bright ideas this year. In the 4-H Exhibit Building you could find all of the creativity, from young Mini 4-H members to large and intricate Lego exhibits, original arts and crafts de- signs, and even a lawnmower attached to a picnic table. The 4-H project judges had a ver y difficult decision de- ciding which projects would be selected to represent Pike County at the Indiana State Fair. Being selected to go to the State Fair is a prestigious honor. When a project is se- lected to go to state fair, it competes with the best of the best projects from all 92 coun- ties in Indiana. The state fair judges follow the same guidelines as here at the county level, but they judge more critically. Receiv- ing the special merit or sweep- stakes award is an impressive accomplishment. Pike County sent about 70 projects to the state fair, where multiple youth received special merit ribbons. Local 4-H youth would not be able to get the full 4-H expe- rience without the guidance of our volunteers. 4-H adult vol- unteers are the heart of Pike County's 4-H program. They continue to put the youth first and want the best opportu- nities for them. They volun- teer a tremendous amount of hours to this program, not just during fair week, but through- out the program year. With their continuous ded- ication and enthusiasm, the Pike County 4-H program was able to grow youth and adult volunteer participation approximately 5 percent from last year. Our plan for the future is continued growth for 4-H involvement, not just during the Pike County 4-H Fair, but also throughout the community. As fair season comes to a close, the staff is grateful for each of our youth, volunteers, and families, as they worked so hard all year long to make this program year and 2022 Pike County 4-H Fair a huge success. You all should be proud of the hurdles you had to jump before fair and during fair. We can't wait to see all of the op- portunities our 4-H program will bring to area youth and volunteers next year. Some of our 4-H Livestock Exhibitors after Auction. Jackie Berry demonstrates to Rhett and Stanley Armstrong how to show a rabbit. Teen Miss Pike County Kayleigh Byrd is having a great time showing a pig during the Adult Swine Showmanship Class. Book to Barn Program participants pose with the queens be- fore they head to the barns to meet Andrew the Cow. 4-H kids take a break from hard work and showing animals to play in the mud. Danessa Pride, Jackie Berry, and AnnaMarie O'Brien watching the judge as she judges their rabbits Livestock 4-H members take some time to relax and have fun after all of the hard work is done. Stanley Armstrong, Peyton Willis, and Olivia Haynes are working hard to im- press the judge by showing off their goats. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 10, 2022 B-3