WASHINGTON — Ah, it’s 4-H fair time again! I was a 10-year 4-H member and have many fond memories of my 4-H years.

Like Daviess County 4-H Youth educator Jane Ann Beard, I was a Sullivan County 4-H’er. I think I took just about every project offered; flowers and sheep were two of my favorites. It was not uncommon for me to have more than a dozen projects in any given year. I remember more than once putting the finishing touches on a project in the car as Mom raced me to the fairgrounds on check-in day.

When I first joined 4-H, back in the dark ages, there were boys’ clubs and girls’ clubs. Because I took projects considered boys’ projects, I had to attend those meetings along with my girls’ club meetings. I was horrified because I was the only girl in attendance. I was painfully shy and uncomfortable, but my mom made me go to the boys’ meetings anyway. Thankfully, there were some older boys who took me under their wings and wouldn’t let the others tease me or pick on me. In the following year or so, the clubs were integrated.

Eventually, I took on leadership roles as a club officer and Junior Leader, participated in demonstrations and the queen pageant, and won trips and awards. I have 4-H to thank for easing me out of my shell, allowing me to make many good friends, teaching me self-confidence, and introducing me to Purdue University and many wonderful role models.

After my first 4-H trip to Purdue, I knew that’s where I’d attend college. Not only did I receive my bachelor’s degree from Purdue, but I was lucky enough to work there as a writer, editor and academic advisor in the School of Agriculture. Coincidentally, one of my primary duties as a writer and editor was to promote the Cooperative Extension Service, which administers the 4-H program.

When my own daughter was old enough to get involved in activities, I told her I didn’t care what else she chose to do, but she would be in 4-H. We actually got off to similar starts in the organization — she also was very shy and almost vomited out of nervousness prior to her first 4-H meeting! She ended up being a 10-year member in Tippecanoe County, and 4-H has been as good to her as it was to me.

As a Ball State University student, she was selected to intern with the Indiana 4-H Foundation, receiving a scholarship for her efforts. She loved it and apparently excelled there, because they kept her. She continued to work for the foundation throughout the school year and into the following summer. Her experience there was a major factor in getting her first job right out of college.

There are so many wonderful opportunities in 4-H, I urge all parents to get their children involved. If they’re shy about it because, maybe, they don’t know any other kids in it, nudge them anyway. It’ll expand their horizons and provide them with valuable life skills and resources.

As 4-H alumni, my daughter and I both have continued our involvement by volunteering and judging. When she was a 4-H’er, I volunteered for the Tippecanoe County fair board, using my communication skills to help promote the fair and the queen pageant. Back in Sullivan County a few years later, I also helped briefly with their fair promotions and queen pageant. Now we both are photography judges.

It's always great to attend the fairs and see what current 4-H’ers are doing. I encourage everyone to go out to the Daviess County 4-H Show and support their local 4-H’ers.



nAndrea McCann, a T-H staff writer, went by the nickname “Andy” in her younger days and was once erroneously assigned to a boys’ cabin at 4-H Camp.