By: Ryan Duey
Photos Courtesy of 4-H and Fair Association
Local Clay County 4-H Ambassadors are preparing for over a week of activities and 4-H spirit at the Clay County Free Fair, scheduled for July 23rd-27th at the Clay County Fairgrounds. The Fair provides 4-H members the opportunity to showcase their creativity through their Exhibits.
Three local 4-H Ambassadors visited with KCLY about their time in 4-H, the Fair, and what makes 4-H a great organization. To Slade Griffiths of the Lincoln Creek 4-H Club, 4-H is about the people.
“I enjoy being in 4-H because of the people. They’re always so nice, and they never think twice about helping you with anything you’re doing, which creates a great atmosphere.”
4-H offers youth the opportunity to grow and expand their abilities, creating future leaders. As Ambassadors, youth leaders, like Isaiah Melton of the Lincoln Creek 4-H Club, work alongside future 4-Hers, helping them grow to become the next future leaders.
“I enjoy being an Ambassador a lot because I get to spend time with the little kids, we call them the Cloverbuds.”
“It’s really fun getting to hang out with those kids and kind of teach them about what 4-H is about. It’s fun getting to see how they grow up and progress in 4-H.”
Many people attribute 4-H and the Fair to agriculture and livestock. As Ambassador Ryan Geer of the Washington Headliners 4-H Club said, 4-H offers so much more.
“Sometimes people think 4-H is just meant for farmers, while yes, 4-H does have its roots in agriculture, but I like to see it as something that people in cities can also do.”
“You don’t have to be a farmer to weld; you don’t have to be a farmer to make a wooden bench, or to do arts and crafts.”
“Just because you’re not into farming, don’t think that you are locked out of this organization.”
The organization offers numerous opportunities for youth interested in fashion, photography, art, rocketry, shooting sports, and many other fields.
The Clay County Free Fair is a culmination and celebration after a year of hard work. Many Exhibits the members will showcase at the Fair have come after a year of creativity, preparation, and determination.
While at the Fair enjoying activities, take the time to walk around and see all the hard work 4-H members put into the year. Also, the 4-H Ambassadors invite the community to their “Meet Me at the Fair” event in Orrin Hogan Arena at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25th.
