4-H brings together community and families
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RONAN — The first Lake County Fair was held in 1938 and included one crossbred beef dairy steer calf that made up the total livestock exhibit. It has now grown to several exhibits that showcase various activities such as shooting sports, talent shows, rabbit showmanship and judging, and a cat show. Today, young members of 4-H often show more than one animal at a time in a variety of livestock categories.
Connor and Nicholas Daugherty of Charlo showed 14 goats of different breeds during one day at the fair. They won three grand and three reserve champion ribbons in addition to four blue and five purple ribbons.
This year was the first time that Nicholas, 10, showed goats at the county fair. His older brother has been showing for a couple of years. Both boys are members of 4-H.
Though the Lake County Fair is open to all residents, most participants are members of 4-H or Future Farmers of America.
“We live on a farm,” Connor, 15, said. “A lot of kids in the area are in it (4-H).”
4-H is a program that offers skills and training to youth. The program is overseen by the Montana State University Extension Service and conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Land Grant University (MSU) and county governments. The program is open to youth between the ages of 6 and 19.
4-H came about when researchers at public universities noticed that people in farming communities did not accept agricultural discoveries made at universities. Rural youth programs like 4-H were ways that researchers could introduce this new technology to the communities.
In 1902, clubs in Ohio called “The Tomato Club” or the “Corn Growing Club” were considered the birthplace of 4-H before it was nationalized in 1914. And since then it has been bringing together families and community.
Tyler Kelsch was all smiles after winning reserve grand champion for his sheep “Razor.” Watching in the stands was his mother Debbie Kelsch, who took photos of Tyler as he posed with “Razor” and the ribbons he won.
“My mom taught me everything I know,” Tyler said after the competition.
Debbie used to show lambs at the fair as a child. She passed on her knowledge to her son who has shown lambs for four years.
“He now has more ribbons than I do,” Debbie said with a laugh.
Above Tyler’s stall, where he keeps “Razor”, hang the ribbons he has won. Etched in gold on the purple and blue ribbons is the iconic four-leaf clover that symbolizes 4-H.
The 4-H clover represents the four actions that members try to accomplish. The four H’s stand for head, hands, heart and health. The 4-H pledge is, “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.”
Other children also decorated their stalls with their ribbons and photos.
Charmayne and Cheyanne Morrison of Polson have shown lambs at the fair for two years. Their ribbons hang over the stalls of their sheep “Zella” and Cocoa” as they rest in straw.
“I just really enjoy sheep,” said Cheyanne, 12. “The best part is I get to sell my sheep and make money.”
“My lamb is jumpy” Charmayne, 10, said. Her mother Ashley Schweigert explained her daughter forgot to switch sides when showing her lamb to give the judge a good view.
“We own a farm and raise horses,” Schweigert said. “They have been around horses (and animals) since they were babies.”
In addition to showing horses and lambs at the fair, the girls also made and painted picnic tables at the fair. They also entered several cooking projects that earned ribbons. They made muffins, granola and oatmeal cookies.
“It (4-H) was a good way to do something in the community,” Cheyanne said.
