These last 2 weeks have been really busy for Extension, and for 4-H especially! In the upcoming week leading up to the fair, we were all busy behind the scenes working hard to ensure that the fair would go seamlessly for all who came out. The 4-H portion of the fair actually begins about a week before the fair does. The previous Saturday, the 4-H dog show and Livestock skillathon were put on, and the Monday before fair time, was when it was the Clothing Members time to shine with the Fashion Review. Wednesday was when the official fair began! I was constantly impressed at how hard everyone worked either in the Livestock Barn where 4-H families worked together to keep the animals all comfortable in the 100 degree heat to the displays in Expo 2 that showed hours upon hours of hard work and dedication that these young people in our community give to make the best better. Whether it was baking, artwork, photography, or the many more divisions, the youth of Barton County truly showed why this county such a great place to live and raise a family. I would like to thank all of the children that are in 4-H that helped out wherever they could and never shirked from whatever was asked of them, to the parents that put the time and effort over the last several months to encourage their children to be a part of 4-H and complete their projects up to even camping out at the Expo grounds and being there for the entire six days of set up, fair and clean up. Without you, the fair would never be put on as well as it is. Last, the fair board works all year long to put on the fair for the communities enjoyment, and many of them were there all of the time to make sure it was a success. Everyone I had the pleasure to meet was wonderful to work with. I look forward to next year being as big of a success as this year was.