Personal Narrative: My 4H Fair

Most people are all grown up when they finally figure out what they want to do with their life. I was 4. I realized what I wanted to be when I attended my very first Rodeo. Even though it was so long ago I can remember that day like it was yesturday. That day got me on the path to my future.

In fact, it was the same tour I went on in 4-H as a fourth grader, so I knew what they felt when I saw the amazement on their faces. Being a member shapes students as an individual and is for anyone who wants to make a difference. As a member students are blessed with the opportunities to come together and help others; the opportunities include: raising money for charities, helping food ministries, helping animals, and introducing the younger generation to 4-H and FFA, which go hand in

Me, Ava, Korryn, Ali, Olyvia, Bailey, and Sophie were on the way to valley fair. The loud and crowded car ride was filled with music, laughter and Sophie screaming! We got some drinks and snacks along the way and played pranks on the people that our nanny Bailey went to highschool with. About 2 hours later we were there and waiting in line to get wristbands. When we finally got our wristbands we walked in the gates of Valley Fair.

It’s the middle of the winter of 2009 and my family and I are on our way to my very first meeting with the Three Rivers 4H Club. I am incredibly unsure about what 4H is, in fact, I had never even heard of 4H before my mother presented the idea to me in the spring of 2009. My mother brought the idea to me because I was tired of lying around all summer and I needed something to do. To fix this dilemma I was having, she did a little bit of research on the Internet for summer activities and programs around Carlisle and the state. That’s when my mother stumbled across an Iowa State University link for something called 4H. After she and I sat down and talked about 4H I found out that I loved the idea of all 4H is and what it does.

Throughout high school 4-H and FFA were both very important to me. These organizations fueled my love for agriculture and ultimately were instrumental in deciding my college major. I am an Agriculture Communication major with a Food Science minor. I love and communication goals, and objectives to others and I this is why public relations is the dream job for me. I am very interested in the sheep industry and love helping my nine year old sister and other livestock exhibitors with their show animals. If I am not with friends, working on school work, involved in organizations, you can

My most important 4-H accomplishments include joining the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team (YLT), being chosen to serve on the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth in Education in Agriculture Committee 4-H representative (YEA), and county awards I have earned. Serving on YLT was a goal of mine ever since I went to the Junior Leadership Conference (JLC) my 7th and 8th grade years. On the team I have met some of the best people I now can call friends while representing 4-H across the state and impacting 4-H members too. Being apart of the team I have helped plan and execute two JLCs assisted with SFI-4-H training, worked at the Illinois State Fair, and represented 4-H at the University of Illinois Salute to Ag Day tailgate and football game. As

None of my family have ever showed before me and my brother, he only showed one year but he was the one that got me into the fair and showing. I had to be in a club to show cattle so i joined 4-h and that has been A ever big part in my life because i could never have done the fair without 4-h.

4-H is the powerhouse that teaches it’s members to make significant contributions to the lives of those around them. I have worked at the state 4-H booth at our state fair, and I tried to be a beacon for 4-H, especially while I had the opportunity to reach so many people. My goal has been to represent 4-H in a positive manner. The best place to start is with Cloverbuds and Junior camps. I feel my work with this age group is most significant, as they will be our future 4-H. I have planned and conducted county Cloverbud camps and Junior Camps.

Throughout my childhood, I have participated in a local 4-H club. In this club, I became a part of our town’s biggest festival, the Potter County Fair.

I remember joining 4-H at a young age and having the older club leaders to look up to. I enjoyed having the opportunity to have the same impact on the youth in the club. I was able to demonstrate responsibility and organization while improving upon my leadership

I was privileged to be able to attend several different club meetings across the state as well as all five District Conventions. It was also very exciting to be able to participate in the chartering ceremony for our newest club in the state – the Eupora Juniorettes – in District 3 in May. In addition to these, I attended and participated in our State Convention that was hosted by District 3 in Tupelo in April and the GFWC International Convention in Memphis in June.

I learned how to make things from banana bread to a blanket to a wood planter box. The projects that I made and entered at the fair helped me become a well-rounded person and I am so thankful for that. Not only did making the projects shape my life, but learning to talk with the judges and tell them about my project was a great experience for me also. I was also taught how to learn from my mistakes and receive constructive criticism from the judges. I did not always receive a blue ribbon and I would have to learn from that and how to make my project better the next time. The things 4-H and my projects taught me growing up is

The most important things I have learned in 4-H that have impacted me include teamwork, leadership, community service, responsibility, and friendship. These skills have been improved or learned through 4-H. Teamwork is a large part of my 4-H career as I have had to work with groups of people on projects in school and outside activities. Examples include FFA with the other officers, class projects, 4-H committees, and more. In high school, I joined the county 4-H ambassadors.Through this group I have been able to demonstrate and develop my leadership by assisting with several county wide events, joining committees, and being the coordinator of the Blue Ribbon 4-H club for mentally and physically challenged individuals. As Ambassadors we participate

Today was the involvement fair and at first it was really overwhelming. All of the booths that were towards the entrance of the student center was packed with a couple hundred kids. It was so hard to move out of the way and I felt so lost but then I saw that my orientation leader was at the relay for life booth and it instantly calmed me down. I was ready to step outside my comfort zone and really explore what I want to participate in for the next year.

I have found out that my passion for 4-H is still in me. I related really well with the kids that we have in our program. With Lincoln County being in the top 5 for membership in SD it is important to get along with all the families. Being 4-H alumni from Lincoln County I have strong connections with the families along with the supervisors. Working at the extension office my connections with my co-workers and the 4-H families have become stronger.