By Stephanie Lampe
Every year in late July and early August, the people of Greene County enjoy the time-honored traditions of the Jacktown and the Greene County fairs. The animals and exhibits of 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members are some of the main attractions. And these young people, along with mentors, leaders, advisors, committee members, and more, work diligently for months in preparation for the fair’s limelight. This summer, unfortunately, will be different. With the Greene County Fair cancelled and Jacktown adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of this summer has been altered. But instead of dwelling on what might have been, we are going to take a look at the positive impact that 4-H and FFA has had on its members and leaders.
Each member, leader, advisor, and anyone else involved with 4-H and/or FFA, has their own unique story on how they got started. One of the most common reasons that someone joins one of these programs is because they have an older sibling, a parent, or another family member that did it first. That is exactly what happened to Abigail Willis and Sarah Calvert.
Abigail Willis, 11, of Carmichaels wanted to join 4-H after watching her brother, Logan. “My brother started showing lambs, and I fell in love with one of his breeding lambs,” Abigail says. “When my brother started, I got to help out and had fun doing it and decided I wanted to do it, too.”
Abigail has now been in 4-H for four years and shows purebred Corriedales with Australian bloodlines (their small bodies allow their energy to be used to make their wool) at the Greene County Fair. She also shows wool at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.
Sarah Calvert, reigning Greene County Fair Queen, had a similar experience. “I got started because of my sister,” she shares. Sarah had to quit several of the clubs she belonged to so she would be able to show animals at the fair, but to her it was worth it. “Once I saw how much joy it brought my sister, the rest is history.” Her main focus is sheep. She was a member of both 4-H and FFA. “I’m currently still a dues paid member of the Waynesburg FFA working toward my American Degree.” The American Degree is one of the organizations highest honors and shows a member’s dedication to the FFA. Recipients “show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.”
On the other hand, Dakota F. Crowe of Carmichaels has a different tale to tell. When she was 12, Dakota’s mother was the photographer for the goats and rabbits sale at the Jacktown Fair. She tagged along to help her mother. The goats caught her eye first. She was drawn to the “odd animals” and wanted to know more. She then noticed the relationships the kids had with their animals and the sense of community that surrounded them. “I knew that I never wanted to miss another one of these amazing events,” she says. In addition to her goats, Dakota, now 18, began showing pigs last year. Her uncle had started breeding pigs and he asked Dakota and her siblings to show them for him at the fair and they agreed. “I enjoy the baby age the most with both projects,” Dakota reveals. “I love building that trust and bond with the animal.”
Benjamin Archer of West Finley was born into the cattle business, which is also the family business. “I’ve been a part of the cattle industry for my whole life,” says Ben, a member of both 4-H and West Greene High School’s FFA, where he serves as treasurer. “I became involved in both the cattle industry and the local Ag programs because show cattle was the family business.” Benjamin, now 17, was fairly young when he first started showing. “I got started when I was 4 years old,” shares Ben, “when my parents first let me show a heifer at the county fair.” He also serves as president of the Greene County Beef Breeding Club. He shows steers and heifers on county, state, regional, and national levels and pigs on the county level.
Benjamin’s mother, Robin Archer, is no stranger to the cattle industry. She successfully raised and showed steers during her entire 4-H career. After finishing veterinary school, she and her husband got back into the cattle industry. And to add more to her already busy schedule, she sits on the committees for FFA and 4-H. It’s no surprise that she and her son share the same passion.
Karlie Wright of Waynesburg is the current Agriculture Educator and co-FFA advisor at West Greene High School. She supervises students’ agricultural projects, and spends her summer helping with projects. She’s always willing to help anyone who needs it and encourages older members to help the younger ones. But before that, Karlie was a 4-H member for 11 years and a Waynesburg FFA member for 5 years.; she earned her American Degree in 2011. In 2017, former teacher, Curt Hughes, asked her if she would be willing to take his place after he retired. She said no at first, but then changed her mind. “I never wanted to be a teacher,” she shares, but she changed her mind. “I love my job, I love my kids, and I love the communities where I live and work… It felt right. 4-H and FFA were always a big part of my life.”
Karlie believes that 4-H and FFA members learn many valuable life lessons like responsibility, financial skills, public speaking skills, time management, social skills, and how to win/lose. “I give advice, but ultimately how they handle things is up to them. Those decisions may come with consequences, and they understand that, but it’s all part of the process of learning.” Karlie adds, “I want to stay an FFA advisor,” and I hope my children will earn the benefits these programs offer.”
The 4-H and FFA members, both current and former, have learned a great deal over the years and have set high goals for themselves. Abigail gained knowledge in marketing and is now more comfortable and confident when speaking to adults and large groups. She plans to continue showing sheep, and to take them to major wool shows in New York and Maryland. Her goal is to have sheep and wool good enough for the national level. “I am breeding my sheep for a longer staple length and a lower micron count to improve their wool.”
Dakota gained similar skills like managing money, teamwork, and record keeping. Respect and empathy are also two important lessons she has learned. “What drives me is the idea that the animal will be born and raised whether I do it or another kid does, but if I do it I know that the animal has had the best life that I could possibly offer,” Dakota says. “I have a better understanding of what it takes to take my food from birth to butcher, and it gives me more respect for those animals.” Dakota has two goals in mind: obtaining grand champion for her goat and placing higher than last year with her pig. “I just want to see my hard work pay off in the ring.” She is still undecided between studying to become a vet tech or to work in video production.
Sarah believes that the two programs teach youth how to work in a group setting, but think independently. “These programs helped shape me into who I am,” she shares. “They are more than programs, they’re another family.” As for what the future holds, Sarah hopes to raise market lambs to help kids get started in 4-H. She’s also thought about opening a local plant business or possibly teaching agriculture.
Benjamin is largely driven by his need to succeed and make an impact. “Our local 4-H and FFA programs have made me who I am today. I used to be very shy, but thanks to public speaking through FFA, I really broke out of my shell. To me, 4-H and FFA means the hope for a better and brighter future,” reveals Ben. He plans to obtain a degree in agribusiness then move west to expand his cattle operation.
Early in June the decision was made to cancel the Greene County Fair. While everyone is disappointed, most understand. Dakota was upset, but understanding. “It is really hard to have a fair with no vendors and no entertainment so I get it.”
Benjamin took the news a little harder. “I am very upset that this year‘s fair was cancelled. I have been working very hard for it, as I know other kids were,” Ben says. “But I have a sense of hope. I’m hoping that the fair next year will be twice as great as any other year.“
Karlie believes the cancellation was inevitable. “Of course, it’s sad and just like I have felt bad for seniors in high school and college, I feel bad for members who are going to age out,“ Karlie states. “But it’s better to focus on the positive and work on a plan to create a way that members can safely show and sell the projects that they have worked hard on.”
Sarah agrees with the fair board’s decision. “ Though not easy, it was in the best interest for the greater good of Greene County,” she says. Perseverance and adaptation are things the year has taught her along with how to overcome and move forward. “Greene County is a strong community that will always stick together and work through challenging times like these.”
In place of the fair, a Greene County Junior Livestock Show and Sale will be held on Wednesday, August 12 at the fairgrounds. More details will be announced.
Instead of dwelling on what might have been, we can look at what brings people out to the fair in the first place. Karlie concludes that it’s tradition while Ben believes it’s the community aspect. Dakota thinks it’s more specific like the fair queen contest, the tractor pulls, the livestock sales, the veggie barn or a milkshake stand. Abigail thinks it may be the rides, the animals, friends, and the ability to support 4-H. Sarah sums it up pretty well. “ There are lots of things that bring people out to the fairs,” she states. “Just as every person is different, so are their interests.”
What brings you out to the summertime traditions of the Jacktown Fair and the Greene County Fair? No matter what gets you there, you can be sure that neither fair is complete without the 4-H livestock shows and auctions.