PREBLE COUNTY — When asked what does 4-H and Fair mean to your family, the word that I would use is “family”
We are a 4-H Family. Our whole family is members of the Bouncing Bunnies 4-H Club. My husband and I are advisors for the club. Our oldest son, Hunter is the club President. When he was in the third grade he came home and told us he wanted to join 4-H. We agreed. We didn’t know how it would impact our whole family. Not only did our children make friends community wide. We, too, have made life-long friends we call family.
Hunter has shown goats, poultry, rabbits, and misc. projects. He has become an excellent woodworker and has gone to the State Fair in woodworking for four years. He is a member of junior fair board. This year he is representing Preble County on the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip. He met 4-Hers from other states and learned how 4-H is different from state to state. He took part in sessions and learned how our government works. Hunter is also the 2015 Fair King 1st runner up.
Our middle son, Landon, is recreation officer for our club. He also shows rabbits, poultry and misc. projects. He has been to the State Fair in woodworking, too. He was the Premier Exhibitor in rabbits for his age group. Premier Exhibitors are recognized for achieving in the skill-a-thon, showmanship and the actual animal show.
Our youngest son, Zane, was going to 4-H meetings before he could walk. He has waited a long time to show at the Fair with his brothers. He sees endless opportunities ahead of him. When we pull onto the Fairgrounds Friday evening with our animals and smell the fresh bedding, hear the sounds of the animals and laughter and he sees his name of his stall card his wait will be over. It will be time for his first Fair.
The fair is our home away from home and we always enjoy the week of visiting with our Fair family. We hope to see many people from our Preble County community at the Fair supporting our youth in their learning.4-H isn’t just a summer hobby for us, it is year round. Getting up early to feed and care for animals or sitting down to eat every meal on our farmhouse table that was a 4-H project, 4-H is apparent in our everyday.
4-H is our way of life.
