Adams County Fair - Part 2
Editor’s Note: We inadvertently cut this out of the Adams County Fair article in our August 7th issue. This is the remainder of that piece.
Correction: Taylor Noble graduated this year and also took Grand Champion in Goat Showmanship.
By Saturday morning, the kids have shown perseverance in the face of long days, frustrations, triumphs and hard losses, and the emotions of facing the final event - market day. These kids work hard and learn the reality of sacrifice involved in acquiring food. Animals are raised from very young and kids work closely with them, often forming a close bond with their projects.
The 4-H season begins in October with volunteer and new member meetings and a few fun gatherings. The dance club and a sewing club kicked off the year early. 57 4-H and FFA kids participated throughout the year with 25 additional kids taking part in the dance club. In February, kids are selecting steers for beef projects and by mid April, pigs are selected followed shortly by lambs and goats. By May, all clubs are in full swing taking care of new animals and figuring out feeding and practice schedules alongside school and other extracurriculars. Tyanne Roland, Adams County Extension Office Educator, stated in these clubs we are “looking for growth, building confidence, resilience, and the grit to keep going. We are here to make better adults and not just make kids money.” She went on to explain that these kids are learning to be entrepreneurs from the second they purchase their market animals. These skills they gain in raising and caring for livestock and pets along with the tracking and logging of costs and activities, give the kids skills that will benefit them their whole lives.
On the administrative side, Roland and her staff of Rininger and Riley Zollman check off months and months worth of to-dos in order to make things run smoothly. May, June, and July are chock full of necessary must-dos including making sure ribbons and buckles have arrived, ensuring record books are correctly submitted, getting volunteers for barns and food booths, and taking care of open class exhibits and entries along with making sure records and weigh ins are accurately recorded. Roland expressed deep gratitude for her staff, the whole Fair Board, and all volunteers.
The Fair Board this year was mostly new, with Caleb Shumway leading the group as President. Tara Dahl (Secretary), Jennifer Rininger (Treasurer), and Ron Corbett (FFA Advisor/Member) rounded out the group along with Board Members Tyler Shelton, Taylor Shelton, Charlie Veselka, Joe Dahl, and Makayla Shumway. Everyone works double time to make the fair successful.
All of the work is highlighted and made a full success only with the strong community support offered with sponsorships and in the culminating event - market sale. 37 animals were sold this year and the Fair Board reported that this was their best sale year ever. The fairground stands were full by 10:00 a.m. with many enjoying breakfast burritos offered at the food booth. Auctioneers from JBS Auctions hyped up the crowd as kids brought out their animals one by one for the final show. A huge thank you to the community for their support was offered. Roland noted that “fair doesn’t work without the buyers. This is total and complete community support for people to come out and buy these auctioned animals at much higher than floor rates.” Most kids are using the money they earn for future animals and feed as well as saving for future education.
There is not enough space to mention all of the volunteers and supporters who make things run smoothly. Not to mention all of the stories of hard work and perseverance expressed by each and every kid involved. The 4-H and FFA groups are truly raising future leaders and great adults that all of Adams County can be proud of!
