July, 27, 1998
Exhibitors learn a fair amount
By Melissa Shelt
Staff Writer
Some people may not realize that the fair not only is a fun experience, but a learning experience for those involved &emdash; especially the youth who participate. They are gaining skills that they can use now and for the rest of their lives.
Projects, interviews, exhibiting and demonstrating are some of the ways in which the fair becomes an educational experience for those youth involved with 4-H, FFA and other youth organizations.
Youth who prepare projects must establish goals to complete their project and make decisions as to how they will exhibit their project.
''All of these things are a part of the learning experience,'' said Ann Golden, 4-H Youth Development & Family and Consumer Sciences agent.
Interview judging is an experience that helps the children gain interviewing skills and share what they've learned with an adult.
''That is something that they will take with them for life,'' Golden said. ''Many older youths have come back to tell us how the interview experience was helpful with job interviews and college scholarship interviews.''
There are a variety of steps youth must go through during the judging process.
Children who bring food projects to the fair must undergo an extensive process which includes a written test, interview and three or more hands-on activities related to their project.
Livestock interview judging is no simple matter, either. The youth are required to know more than just the name of their animal.
Some of the things they are quizzed on includes animal body parts, different kinds of feeds and their ingredients, animal care, health of the animal (including different diseases and their causes), proper areas for injections and how to read medicine labels that refer to witholding and withdrawal times to assure that the meat is free of residue.
Through showing or exhibiting a project, youth learn how to show themselves and their project, how to work with others and share what they have learned.
''It also helps them to gain comfort with being in front of people,'' Golden said.
Youth who participate in demonstrations also gain valuable tools for life. The demonstrations can be about a project or any other topic of interest.
''They learn how to speak in front of groups and how to talk about their project and demonstrate it at the same time,'' Golden said.
Past demonstrations have concentrated on how to make posters to horse care.
''It's wonderful to see the youth develop and grow as they develop their speaking skills and share their interests as they participate each year,'' Golden said.
Junior Fair Board is another way youths can benefit.
The board works closely with Junior Fair Advisors in each of the Junior Fair departments to plan and conduct activities. Board members learn how to plan events and evaluate what has worked well and what needs to be improved.
''There are a lot of leadership skills gained through this experience and the kids learn to work together as a team,'' Golden said.
The extension office team, along with Junior Fair Coordinator Bob Wickert, and the Senior Fair Board work together with many other groups to help make the fair a successful, learning experience for all involved.