The Kansas State Fair finished up this weekend and we couldn’t have ordered nicer weather! The fair experienced great crowds and it was so nice to see the number of people who walked through Centennial Hall or sat in the bleachers during the livestock shows.

While the midway is lots of fun, there are so many additional areas to experience! Some of my favorites are the K-State Vet Med Birthing Center, the Domestic Arts Building with all of the open class foods and quilts, and the Pride of Kansas Building. Of course, Centennial Hall is my favorite as it holds the 4-H entries! 

Cottonwood-Barton 4-H members entered 57 projects, which doesn’t include any livestock. A variety of ribbons were earned by these 4-H members and I hope that each family was able to attend the fair to see their items on display. 

Just like the Barton County Fair, this is a showcase event for 4-H members who have worked hard on project learning all year. It is easy to get caught up in the ribbon placing but we are really celebrating the hours spent in a barn working with livestock, the dozens of time a recipe was made and kitchen skills honed, and the meticulous gathering and labeling of insects. 

We have had packed schedules on both weekends for Communications presentations. Standing up in front of a crowd is hard enough but these young people are presenting in front of a crowd that may keep moving, little ones who cry or shout in the middle of their presentation, and using equipment that may be a bit different than they are used to. One of my favorite moments occurred during the first weekend when a 4-H member was really struggling as she was to present the next day. One of Kansas 4-H Youth Council members knew her and immediately began to calm and coach her. She knew that others were cheering for her and giving her good advice which helped. By the way, that 4-H member received a blue ribbon on her presentation and has set a goal to qualify again next year!

If you know a 4-H member, be sure to ask what they learned before you asked where they placed!

Keep Learning! Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and youth development agent for the Cottonwood District, Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.