YCC Past News 2022-2023

On the last day of the fair you can often catch youth in the barns with tears rolling down their faces. It is a sign that their project is finished. However, it is so much more than a project, and something that many don't understand. Not being raised in the livestock industry myself, I didn't understand it for the longest time. You see, it is so much more than a project. 

The chosen animal was worked with, often pampered, and built a bond with a child. Their time on earth was spent building strong youth and teaching some hard life lessons; lessons about perseverance, patience, responsibility, caring for others, hard work, success, failure, investment, and the list goes on. The project was not something you could just slap together and expect to have success. 

Families bond, confidence is built, and grit pours out in the longs hours spent all summer long in the barn. Our 12 year old daughter is wise beyond her years when she says, "We take care of them, and they take care of us." 

This is the life of a 4H kid. If you ever get the chance, I encourage you to walk through the barns, talk to the youth, and ask them about their projects.

It won't take you long to see it is not just a project. Despite knowing the end result for their market animal, it stings. 

The tears signify the blisters on their hands, the late nights, early mornings, and heart that they put into their "project". 

Today I watched our 2 daughters walk into the ring with pride one last time to present their animals to perspective buyers.  

The results are in… 4 class winners, 3 division winners, 1 reserve division,  1 Grand Champion Heifer. Addison showed up and put it all on the line. Yale didn't do too bad either for an old guy.  Grateful for all of the  help and support.  It takes a village. 

Tomorrow they will not be doing sight seeing in Harrisburg, PA because Addison and Mercedes will be in the Supreme Drive at Keystone representing the Hereford breed. What an experience this will be!