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I know it sounds like a fundraiser, but it is actually an entry in the 2012 Adams County Fair under the Lifetime Sports Division. This is my daughter’s first year as a real 4-H kid, not just a Clover kid, and since we aren’t livestock people, we were looking for other fun ways to participate.

We are definitely townies, so don’t think you have to live on a farm or in a rural community to be involved in 4-H. There is so many ways to be involved in 4-H without ever setting foot on gravel.

I registered her not only for bowling, but for a workshop through the Extension Office where they made six different items that could be entered into the fair under the Workshops Division. They made a never-ending card, a beaded night light, a melted crayon canvas, a flyswatter picture, a mug rug and a table runner.

She also decided to try her hand at canning cherries, making a patriotic mosaic with decorator beads, and some jewelry. Some of her friends are starting to sew clothing and enter the Fashion Show that will be held July 11th at the fairgrounds.

The biggest difference between Clover Kids and Junior Division in the number of projects you can enroll in. To make a long list short, here are just some of the non-livestock project areas: Four wheeling; Aerospace; Cats; Child Development; Communication and Expressive Arts; Digital Video Pro; Engineering; Entrepreneurship; Money Management; GPS; Model Building; Robotics; Theater Arts; and Vehicle Restoration. This isn’t even the whole list!

I am extremely impressed by all the 4-H clubs in Adams County. They are each dedicated to helping kids grow up to be confident, well-spoken, well rounded and interesting individuals. Even if they don’t know anything about cows!

If you would like more information about 4-H or the 2012 Adams County Fair, contact the Adams County/UNL Extension Office at 402-461-7209.

 

About the author: Denise Howie

Denise Howie is a wife, mother and preschool teacher. She spent her formative years in Minnesota and Iowa, graduating from Iowa State University. After working in the publishing industry for 6 years she became a stay-at-home mom who rarely stayed home! Denise moved to Hastings in 2006 with her husband and three children and dove head first into life in Nebraska.