As we enter July, that can only mean one thing. Well, it actually could mean many things, but in this case, it means county fair season is about to begin. All across the land families are preparing for county fairs.

Some kids are putting the finishing touches on arts and crafts, woodworking and robotics projects. Some are adding more feed to their animals’ diets to achieve the minimum weight requirements, while others are reducing caloric intake so as not to get too big. Or, as was the case in our family, it’s time to start thinking about what items to create for exhibition. Just as long as the paint, glue or finish was dry by the time it reached the fairgrounds, that was the ultimate goal.

I feel extremely fortunate to have had some outstanding mentors and 4-H club leaders during my teen years. I’m also very grateful to have been a member of a club with several fellow high schoolers. Competing for the county fair herdmanship award meant a lot to us, and we tried to instill that responsibility in the younger members. Before long, a broom and/or a pitchfork was constantly in someone’s hands, helping keep the aisles and the animals’ stalls or pens spic and span.

Another favorite activity from back in the day was the ever-important model meeting contest. Our club members and leaders placed a major emphasis on this, and we made sure everyone participated to their best ability. Again, having many older members helped provide for practically perfect parliamentary procedure parts. Addressing the president, being recognized, then stating “I move” was stressed as the proper and only beginning phrase when making a motion. To this day, I cringe whenever I hear phrases like “I make a motion” or “I’d like to motion”. I’m no parliamentary law expert by any means, but I do enjoy a respectable question of privilege now and then. And, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned “call for the question” to end debate and proceed to an immediate vote.

 4-H and the extension service runs deep in my family as well as my wife’s. Over time, relatives (or ourselves) have been or currently are:  4-H agents, Program Development Committee members, club leaders, project leaders, state winning judging team coaches and team members, county and district extension board members and officers, state project award winners, fair board members, county fair judges, state extension staff and a State Extension Advisory Council President.

Per the National 4-H Council, according to a long-term study by Tufts University, 4-H members are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities and twice as likely to be civically active, make healthier choices, and pursue STEM programs. In addition, they are 40 percent more likely to pursue a college degree and twice as likely to obtain vocational/technical training or serve in the military. Furthermore, 4-H members are 20 percent more likely to hold leadership roles in their schools or communities.

I highly encourage everyone to visit a fair near you this year. Youngsters and families alike have spent countless hours, sleepless nights, endured sibling feuds, shed a few tears, grumbled and complained, whined, moaned and baked countless cookies just to get a handful good enough for presentation. By the way, I’ve eaten a lot of red ribbon cookies in my day, but they were well worth the journey to see practice make perfect come fair time.

Take time to ask a 4-H member about their project, whether it be in a barn, the wash rack, a display case or on a table. It’s great communication skills practice for the kids, and even better community involvement for you. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and we should all do our part to see that they have the best opportunities for growth, learning and all levels of success and achievement. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with helping to “make the best better.”