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School’s out for the summer… well, almost! It’s time for summer activities and making memories.

Many of the summer memories I have of my childhood and that of my children revolve around 4-H and the county fair. What started out as agricultural clubs in Clark County, Ohio, in 1902 for rural children has grown into an informal, practical, learning-by-doing educational program for all youth. There are all kinds of clubs and types of projects to participate in. There are large and small animal clubs, archery, riflery, photography, cooking, sewing, robotics, woodworking and more

I always had a sewing project and a dairy cow project. My mom was the adviser of the sewing club, and I have a lot of memories of the different outfits I made over the years. My dad was the adviser of my dairy club, and after watching my older brother and sister for several years, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to participate (third grade, 9 years old).

I quickly learned that taking a dairy calf to the fair was a lot of fun, but a lot of work, too. I had to practice leading, of course, but washing cows was no fun. No longer was I allowed to sleep in and come to the fair with my mom on show day. I was up early on those cold September mornings. We had to get to the fairgrounds early to wash our cows so they would be clean and dry by show time. When my sister was old enough to drive, she was the one in charge on those mornings. I remember Linda being quite the taskmaster.

There was also disappointment during those early years. Most children want to win, whatever the competition. Well, I was no exception. At that time there were more dairy farms and more children involved in dairy 4-H, so there was heavy competition. I often found myself in the bottom half of the class. I remember my dad having a talk with me after one particular show day when my heifer and I placed last in our class. He told me that all our cows were working girls and that I needed to quit crying. Their main priority was making milk, and the prettiest cows that won the shows didn’t necessarily make a lot of milk.

My dad’s breeding program priorities still favored milk production, but when it came to selecting a sire for one of the 4-H, “type” was a close second. “Type” are those dairy characteristics that win blue ribbons.

My family and many of my friends know who Betty is. She was the cow that chased my post-show day tears away. She was a good-looking heifer, but after she had her first calf, Joy, she blossomed. She may not have won her class every time, but she was in the top half. Her daughter Joy was also a very good-looking cow. Together in the dam and daughter class, they were about unbeatable.

I showed Betty for seven years in 4-H and Joy for five years. If you haven’t guessed, these two cows became more like pets to me. They proved themselves by the milk they produced as well as in the show ring.

Thank you for indulging me as I share a favorite memory. I’m thankful our daughters have their own 4-H fair memories.

Please explore the opportunities that 4-H has to offer. I hope you include 4-H and the local county fairs in the memories you make this summer!

Submitted by Mary Smallsreed, member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau who grew up on a family dairy farm in Northeast Ohio.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.