Greene County 4-H clubs display projects at county fair
The county fair has always been focused on community and agriculture and no organization brings this element to the forefront like the 4-H clubs and the culmination of their numerous projects at the fair each summer.
鈥淲e have over 100 kids involved in our livestock projects and they鈥檙e very passionate. We also have our CloverBud Club for 5- to-7-year-olds, and they do arts and crafts each year. Between the livestock and the craft projects entered, there are several things going on,鈥� said 4-H Educator Dulcie Christman with PennState Extension.
The lamb program is perhaps the most popular, according to Christman. With more than 70 youth in the county receiving their lambs in early January, all of them are trained for show by the summer.
鈥淭hey are working with these animals every single day. They鈥檙e learning about feeding, walking and exercising. It蘑菇视频 a lengthy routine, and the kids seem to flourish,鈥� Christman said. 鈥淪ome are competing every weekend at various places in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, but by summer, the fair is the last big event.鈥�
The competitive nature of the show can be challenging, but also fun.
Christman said the animals become like teammates on the sports field but by the end of the week, the 4-H students have to say goodbye to those headed to market.
鈥淚t can be sad for some. Some of these animals are like big teddy bears. Market day can be a hard day, but it蘑菇视频 been instilled in them for a long time that this is a fact of life. You鈥檙e helping your community, and you know the animal is going back into your community,鈥� Christman said. 鈥淲e also do a fun night on Friday as a bit of a celebration and distraction.鈥�
New this year is the 4-H horse program in Greene County.
鈥淲e had some interest in a horse club, and there will be a dozen kids bringing their horses in on Aug. 3 for the county round up. If they come to the county round up, they鈥檒l qualify for district and then, possibly state,鈥� Christman said.
Nearly every morning of the week, visitors can catch an open show including goats, cattle or sheep.
Not only can guests learn more about the animals and all the work it takes to raise them from the club members themselves as they tend to them in the barn, there will also be various 4-H exhibitions open to the public such as the carcass class at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 6.
鈥淲e have a professor from the university come in and grade the animals with an ultrasound machine. It蘑菇视频 a really interesting exhibit,鈥� Christman said.
Visit https://greenecountyfair.org/schedule for a full schedule of events.