Celebrating All Things Kansas is the theme of the 2021 Kansas State Fair. As a 4-Her growing up, I lived too far away to attend and see my exhibits on display at the Kansas State Fair which is why I love to make time each year to check out many areas of the fair!

The carnival midway and concerts don’t draw me in, however. You can find me at a livestock show, viewing the commercial displays, catching up with friends, and my very favorite activity – checking out all of the 4-H exhibits!

Youth from all 105 counties will have woodworking, rockets, foods, photography, and much, much more on display! The 4-H project for each of these youth qualified at their local county fair and I appreciate all of the creativity and project learning on display! 

As I look at an entomology box, I see the hours of collecting insect specimens, researching to identify each one, and carefully completing the display. 

Each clothing project involves hours of selecting just the right pattern and appropriate fabric then creating that clothing item. I also understand the hours of removing a seam that wasn’t quite right which I can tell you from experience is an exercise in patience! 

One of my favorite areas is the Public Presentations where 4-H youth share a demonstration, illustrated talk, or a poetry/prose reading. Standing before an unknown group of people and a judge with the distractions of fairgoers walking through the building takes practice and focus. 

So while you are at the Kansas State Fair “Celebrating All Things Kansas” seeing the butter sculpture, having a corn dog, and checking out the rides on the midway, be sure to include a walk through the 4-H exhibits.

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.