Summer fairs are happening all over the Piedmont this month and they are alot more than funnel cakes and fresh squeezed lemonade. This is the time of year for 4-H fairs, and it’s alot of work for our young folks, but such an important way to keep traditions and agricultural values strong and alive. The kids involved in these many 4-H programs spend months ‘growing’ their animals and getting ready to show them at the many local fairs in our area. It is a lot more than just grooming the animals and walking them in a circle around the ring. Months ago these young farmers purchased their animals; chickens, goats, lambs, cows, and have been busy grooming, training, exercising and selling their ‘critters’. The 4-H program helps to guide these young farmers in the proper feeding and care for these animals, but what is most important is that they understand the final goal, keeping farming alive.  Without these valuable programs many of these traditions and much of the knowledge would be lost. At the end of the 4-H fair many of these young farmers sell their animals, they understand this is not a pet, but a way of life. They learn to produce safe, healthy animals and profit from their success.  Support these young farmers and look for them to purchase their animals. You can see the farm shows throughout the month. For more information on 4-H programs, and there are alot of them, take a look at their website.

4-H Symbol stands for;

Head-Mental Development. Deeper knowledge and reasoning

Heart-Emotional Development. Developing interest, appreciation, and wholesome attitudes.

Hands-Skills Development. Ability to do, skill in doing, and habit of doing.

Health-Physical Development. Understanding and appreciating a growing and changing body.