The 4-H fair is one of my favorite things to do during the summer.  This year there are some big changes that I want to make sure you know about.  The deadline to sign up is January 15, 2015. The deadline last year was April 1st. So if you are waiting to sign up, it’s time to turn in your application.

My county 4-H Extension agent gave me the idea to write about 4-H and talk about what those new to the projects should know.  I think there are 5 things that beginning 4-Hers should know when signing up.

1. You need to start early if you take a lot of projects. I have taken 15 projects each year I’ve been in 4-H.  It’s alot of work!  And in my house, I do the work, not my parents.  I know some kids probably get their parents to do the projects for them.  My parents supervise and offer advise, but they don’t do the work.  And that’s the way it should be!  If I get a ribbon, it’s because I did the work, not my parents!

2. You need support from family and friends. While my parents don’t do the work, I do need help with some of the projects.  I’m not old enough to drive the combine by myself.  So my crops projects require my Dad to help me plant the seeds and find the best stalks for display.  And my Mom has to help me use the oven for my Foods projects.  And she helps me with my Rabbit and Swine projects.  But the trophies and ribbons I won last year were for alot of hours at a sewing machine, testing recipes, walking pigs and walking fields.

3.  You need to to read the books that they give you to understand the project.  Each projects comes with a manual.  That book explains what needs done in each project.  Some projects have specific requirements to fill out the books and turn them in for judging.  Other books just offer assistance and suggestions for the completed project.  But you have to read them!

4.  Try something new each year.  I never thought I’d want to take Genealogy or Recycled Articles.  But Genealogy has taught me more about my family and given me a chance to interview my Great-Grandparents and learn about our family history.  Recycled Articles let me be crafty and make something.  That project is now on my bedroom wall!  Try something you’ve never heard of.  Even if you don’t win a purple ribbon, you’ll learn something new!

5.  4-H people become your second family.  Be prepared to spend a lot of time at the fair!  I think the best thing about 4-H, even better than trophies and ribbons, are the people I’ve met.  Of course, my BFF Lilly, who is also my cousin, is really family.  And we get to spend a lot of time together!

But I get to hang out with other friends too.  Hayden, Brayden, Lilly and I spent some time wrestling pigs.

Other friends and I spent time cleaning the fairgrounds, helping in the project building and just spending every minute there that we could.  This year, we are taking our camper to the fairgrounds.  We’ll sleep there!

The last thing you should do is signup!!  And be prepared to have a bunch of fun!!