Fair discussions
I enjoy the fair.
I did not grow up on a farm, but rather in the mountains of Pennsylvania.
However, I have moved into a farming community and married into an ag-centric family. I have grown to love the farm and the fair is a natural extension. My son shows hogs and many of my favorite moments of the year are those preparing for the fair.
Each year I spend the Saturday of the Union County Fair attending the livestock auction, shooting pictures for the paper.
This year, early in the rabbit show, a mother came and sat next to me in the front row. I didn’t know her, but she told me she wanted to get a good picture of her son. She was well early so we talked. We talked about horses, the newspaper, family, life, friends and how blessed we both are. It truly was one of the most enjoyable conversations I have had in a long time. I didn’t get a chance to thank her. I only know she is the mother of Ben Durey. Mrs. Durey, if you are reading this, “Thank you! I enjoyed our conversation.”
If you know Mrs. Durey, please share my appreciation with her.
One of the things we talked about was 4-H and how much work it is. We talked about how much work it is for the exhibitors, but also for the parents.
We talked about how great of a program 4-H is, about what it has taught our children. We talked about how much good it does, even for youth who do not live on a farm
This year as you review the upcoming Fair Results Guide, take time to look at the variety of projects available to our youth through the 4-H program. Look at how many will benefit the farming community we all love and how many not related to agriculture. Think of the parents who spend time teaching and working to help their participants. Thank the advisors who often spend their time and money so the exhibitors can succeed.
-Mac Cordell is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune