It’s fair time! Summertime in Iowa means that it is time to go to the fair. Everyone has their own favorite part of the fair. My favorite part is walking through the exhibit buildings and the barns looking at the 4-H exhibits. I am always amazed at what the youth in 4-H have learned and accomplished.
Sometimes I am asked why it is necessary to showcase 4-H’ers work at a fair. How is the Buchanan County Fair and the Iowa State Fair related to what we are trying to accomplish in 4-H? The Iowa State 4-H office addressed this question in “4-H in Fairs”. Following is an excerpt from this document.
“Fairs are an opportunity for Iowa’s most valuable resource — PEOPLE — to have a unique 4-H learning experience.
1. Fairs provide 4-H'ers an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. This represents an educational function in which the 4-H'er can share what they have done and services to strengthen their life skill development.
2. Fairs provide feedback on 4-H'ers accomplishments. This recognition opportunity stimulates positive self-regard for their efforts.
3. Fairs provide families a chance to work together. This fellowship opportunity helps strengthen family relationships.
4. Fairs also provide an opportunity for the public to see 4-H in action. This showcasing opportunity serves to help our external audience better understand what 4-H'ers are able to achieve.
In the fair setting, 4-H'ers learning can be enhanced in the exhibit evaluation process through Education, Evaluation and Encouragement. Since 4-H focuses on youth, the growth and learning of each individual is more important than the outcome of a competitive event, product, article or animal exhibited. Exhibits and fair activities provide an opportunity for youth in all types of 4-H clubs and groups to educate others about what they have learned by being involved in 4-H. The evaluation process of a 4-H fair exhibit, presentation, working exhibit, share-the-fun, judging contest, etc. helps youth to measure their progress toward accomplishing their goals and against accepted standards of excellence. Each experience can encourage and inspire 4-H'ers to expand their project interest and activity.”
Fairs really are an integral part of Iowa and 4-H. Please attend and support your local fair and the Iowa State Fair. Have fun and congratulate the 4-H’ers that you see on the fair grounds.
To learn more about how the Iowa 4-H program provides positive youth development experiences to youth, visit our website at /4H/, contact Brenda Welch, Youth Development Specialist, at 563/927-4201 or Tina Ryherd, Buchanan County Youth Coordinator, at the Buchanan County Extension Office at 319/ 334-7161.
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