This year at the Minnesota State Fair, over 4,300 members of Minnesota 4-H, a youth development program administered by University of Minnesota Extension, from around the state gathered to exhibit their project, skill or performance.
Of the state fair exhibiting members, 2,600 – including Alexis, Daniel, Makenna and Amy– had the opportunity to show their livestock during the first weekend.
4-H’ers Alexis, from Todd County, and Daniel, from Morrison County, moved into the fairgrounds early Wednesday morning before the fair began to get their livestock settled and prepare for a weekend full of fun and hard work. “My favorite thing to do at the state fair is show at the coliseum,” Alexis said.
Other participants and their livestock are busy during this time as well. Livestock shows and showmanship happen around the clock along with the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association (MLBA) Purple Ribbon Auction on Saturday night.
“I love showing sheep, and it took a lot of hard work and time to get her here, but when you put all that work in and get to the state fair, it just makes it all better,” said Makenna, a Freeborn County 4-H’er.
At the annual fairs, 4-H, alongside everyone that is there to help, are creating lifelong memories for youth to cherish.
“My favorite memory is shaking the judge’s hand after receiving third,” Makenna shared.
Every participant that exhibits projects at the Minnesota State Fair first has to earn their trip at a local showcase event. Some 4-H’ers are lucky enough to earn multiple trips, either through livestock, llama-alpaca, horse, dog or general project areas.
“I came here with my Holland Lop rabbit, and I also show llamas, which come in next Wednesday along with a general project. I got a callback for showmanship in which I got a blue, and then my rabbit got Grand Champion in my category along with being able to be the best in show,” said Amy, a 4-H’er from Mower County.
There are plenty of opportunities for youth to explore various project areas and further develop their leadership skills.
This year, Amy brought a youth leadership project about a ranch riding clinic event that she hosted through the horse project development committee (PDC) program. She stays busy by serving as a vice president for the horse PDC's differing committees and being a rabbit ambassador. She loves to do publicity events and answer any questions the public may have.
“I was looking for the next step in my 4-H career. I was looking to challenge myself more and work for something that was bigger than me, my county or my club. To challenge myself a little bit more! It’s rewarding and you get to learn something along the way,” explains Cora, a Stearns County 4-H’er in State Arts-In and the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador program.
Ever since Cora was little and attending the Minnesota State Fair, she knew she wanted to be a part of the State Arts-In program. On the way to her state involvement, she has participated in club and county activities, ranging from camp counselor, county fair, county arts-in and much more! This year, she brought a pink and white crochet sweater.
Cora adds, “I think Minnesota 4-H is special because of the amount of opportunities it offers. I believe that there really is something for everyone in Minnesota 4-H. Between engineering to performing arts to agriculture, it’s something unique only in Minnesota 4-H.”
“Personally, 4-H has allowed me to develop many skills like public speaking and making friends, not just from my county, but from the state and even across the nation. Just being a 4-H member gives us so many opportunities to develop leadership skills or develop skills in really any area. 4-H is there to help us grow," says Luke, a first-year Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador from Rice County.
The ag ambassadors help promote agriculture through 4-H by going into classrooms to teach ag lessons and attend various events, like the Minnesota State Fair, to represent Minnesota 4-H.
Luke explains, “At those events we are promoting 4-H and being a representative for 4-H. As I said, 4-H has expanded beyond agriculture; however, the ag ambassadors are there to kind of be that root part of 4-H connection to agriculture. There’s a place for you in Minnesota 4-H!”
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