PUTNAM COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - In small communities, programs like 4-H are essential for teaching kids valuable leadership skills and life lessons. Pearl Lewandowski takes us to the heart of the Putnam County Fair to learn more.
The Putnam County Fair is more than just rides, food, and games. It's a showcase of hard work and dedication for kids in 4-H and Junior Fair. Most of them have been raising animals and competing since they were in elementary school. They say the program has taught them some great lessons.
"Sportsmanship—you definitely learn hard determination when you're competing," commented Tiffany Coller, a junior at Fort Jennings High School.
"I think you definitely learn a lot of responsibility from being responsible for the life and well-being of your animals. And you learn a lot of good sportsmanship with the competing part of it," said Lilly Wolke, a freshman at Ottawa Glandorf High School.
For younger members like Madison, the fair is a blend of hard work and fun.
"What are your favorite parts about the fair?" asked the reporter.
"Everything," responded Madison Knippen.
"Can you tell me just a few of them?" asked the reporter.
"Getting to see all the animals, riding on the rides," replied Knippen.
The work and dedication of 4-H members begin long before the fair, with kids starting their projects months in advance.
"Our kids, actually, what you see here is kind of the exclamation point to a lot of the work they start way back in December or November of the previous year. A lot of these animals are in their barns, or they're making connections with breeders and folks that need to purchase their animals. They really start that 4H Club work 6 to 8 months before what you see happen here at the fair. And that also happens without woodworking projects and our clothing projects," said Jason Hedrick, a 4-H educator in Putnam County.
From learning responsibility to developing leadership skills, Putnam County 4-H shapes the future leaders of their communities.
