Friday, July 31, 2015

What's the difference between 4-H and Open Class, anyway?


Sometimes we get the question: what's the difference between a 4-H exhibit and and open class exhibit? 

The difference is the process...in a 4-H class or club youth learn so many other skills than just the tasks necessary to finish that project. 


For example, we'll likely have some cooking, art, and crafts in the fair. The youth that exhibit those projects likely 
met with several peers 
a few different times; they probably had to 
talk in front of a group
or work together in teams
There were likely frustrations or 
problem solving 
they had to do and a 
caring adult volunteer 
or teen mentor 
may have helped them learn tips and tricks or new skills. 

Thinking about the livestock projects being prepared, there were lots of 
early mornings,
stinky boots,
 and dirty clothes 
going back as far as January or February with a steer calf, lamb, pig, or goat halter breaking, exercising, training for the show ring. 

These youth have practiced 
skills 
like 
personal responsibility 
and, depending on how well they have prepared, they may or may not also get a hard lesson in 
personal accountability
from the judge. The time for preparation has definitely passed. And even that teaches life skills.

So, what is the difference between 4-H and Open class?  When you see an exhibit with a 4-H tag or a young person with a 4-H patch on their arm, just know that there were hours invested and not just in the project, but in the life of that young person. Invested for what?  A blue ribbon at the county fair?  Not hardly - the skills and experience gained in 4-H have the power to carry young people through life in a positive way and long after ribbons and awards fade away. And that makes all the difference.

Hope to see you at the Sevier County Fair, August 5-8, 2015!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Fair time is fast approaching! Pre-Register your exhibits TODAY!





Time for cotton candy, corn dogs and blue ribbons!
The Sevier County Fair will be here soon enough...FIRST we need you to pre-register your exhibits!

All NON-LIVESTOCK exhibits need to be pre-registered 
by Sunday, August 2nd at 11:59 p.m.  
Don't fret - we're here to help!  A open house and ice cream party will be held Wednesday, July 29th from 10-12 at the Monroe Community Center 
-OR- you can come into the office any time between now and Friday at 5 p.m. 
-OR- email Rebecca over the weekend for help.

All NON-LIVESTOCK exhibits need to be delivered to the Sevier County Fairgrounds between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd.  
Food exhibits are allowed to be brought in Tuesday morning from 8-9 but all other exhibits need to be in on Monday. If, for some reason, you are unable to get your child's exhibits to the Fair on Monday, please contact the Extension office before 5 p.m. on Friday.  Again, we are here to help!

Here's how you enter:
For families who had youth attend Fab Fridays, summer clubs, after school clubs, or science camp please complete this survey for each of your youth who attended:

For ALL OTHER NON-LIVESTOCK EXHIBITS: please follow these log-in instructions below to complete you child's exhibit pre-registration. 

This process will take you only a few minutes but please call (893-0470) if we can assist you.  See you at the Fair!