Youth Learn Life Lessons at Fairs

As anyone who participated in either 4-H or FFA can attest, valuable life lessons can be learned at the end of a show halter. Whether it's the lesson of showmanship, value of practice and hard work or importance of getting up early and getting your chores done or teamwork. All those things can be learned through the experience of showing at the fair. This summer many youth across the Pacific Northwest have practiced and practiced before attending their local, regional or state fair with their livestock. In the last month or so, many youth have spent time at the fair, working hard and having fun. I spent last Friday at the Palouse Empire Fair in Colfax, Washington. I always enjoy watching the young men and women ranging in age from six to 18 show their livestock to the best of their ability, their willingness to help others and congratulate each other on their wins is really a pleasure to watch. The overall winner of the fair's 4-H beef showmanship, Jon Denny is a Fairfield native and a five year member of the Liberty 4-H Club. I visited with seventh grader Jon and asked him to share what he enjoys about showing cattle. Denny: "I like to work with animals and and it's fun to do." I asked him what he had learn from being in 4-H and working with livestock. Denny: "To be calm around animals. To be calmer as a person and nicer to everyone." I want to congratulate those youth who spent the time with their animals practicing for months and doing their best at the fairs throughout the summer on a job well done and time well spent.