COLUMBIA CO., N.Y. — The Columbia County Fair is a time for 4-Hers to showcase their project work and show what they’ve learned and accomplished throughout the year. Fairgoers will see examples of project work through exhibits such as beautiful ceramics, handmade garments, delicious foods and breathtaking photographs, along with many well-groomed and cared for animals. These exhibits are the result of many hours of hard work, lessons learned and the pride and joy of a 4-H member.
4-H teen leader, Caroline Lafferty, assisted 4-H Educator, Margaret Smith, with the 4-H livestock shows in 2017. (Courtesy Photo)Beyond the physical exhibits displayed at the fair that the general public sees, developing leadership skills in youth is also a priority for fairgoers to observe. As we build leaders of today to fulfill adult roles tomorrow, developing a leadership program at the fair so teens are prepared to take over as adults is crucial. One way this can be accomplished is by providing progressive teen leadership roles.
There are many roles and responsibilities during fair week where teens work side by side with an adult leader or take complete leadership of the task. If you take the time to look, you may see 4-H members taking leadership for any number of tasks, such as serving as ring stewards to monitor safety in the show ring, assisting with greeting and checking-in auction buyers, handing out ribbons, announcing contests and shows, and moving tables and equipment in preparation for shows.
What you probably do not see are the many hours some 4-H members work before fair week even begins, in support of the overall program – to clean and set-up the exhibit areas, to assist the evaluators of non-animal exhibits the day before the fair opens, to arrange the exhibits in a pleasing and interesting manner and to help younger 4-H members practice and prepare for their animal shows. You also will not see them arrive each day to the fairgrounds before 8AM to feed and water their animals and provide them with fresh bedding each morning. If it happens to be show day they will arrive much earlier to get their place at the wash rack.
Although 4-H clubs are led by adult volunteers and the 4-H program is led by adult professionals, much consideration and space is provided to encourage youth to grow in skills and confidence. As 4-H members’ skills grow their responsibilities grow and they can be seen flourishing and enjoying opportunities for independence and recognition of what they have learned and are doing.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
–Linda Tripp, 4-H Youth Development Issue Leader
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
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