Peg Morlan Gannon (left) selected as Greene County's 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee. Photo courtesy of Samantha Hardaway
The Greene County Fair has come to a close for another year and organizers are calling it another success.
Greene County ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway says there were a total of 244 4-H static exhibits and 424 livestock and other animal exhibits, which was more this year compared to last year’s fair. She points out even the Clover Kids program for 1st-3rd graders had more exhibits. Hardaway believes that Clover Kids has proven to be a good route to the regular 4-H program that begins in 4th grade.
“I think it is a great way to grow those numbers for enrollment (into 4-H). That is a huge goal of mine is to grow enrollment overall, both in Clover Kids and 4-H. And by having that Clover Kids program, you get kids already interested and involved in a project that way when the transition from Clover Kids to 4-H, it just makes that transition so much easier.”
Another highlight was the Round Robin competition, where the senior showmanship champions for horse, sheep, swine and beef each had to show those other animal species. Hardaway says Emmalin Wright was Grand Champion Round Robin and Kayla Frederick was Reserve Champion. Additionally, Hardaway notes Peg Morlan Gannon was selected to be Greene County’s 4-H Hall of Fame honoree, which she will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair.
Hardaway shares her thoughts of how the fair went for her first year as the new Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator.
“It couldn’t have gone better for my first year. It was a whirlwind, it went by super fast, and I just remember going through cleanup on Sunday thinking that, ‘Fair’s already done.’ I was able to even strengthen relationships with those kids and parents, which is one of my favorite parts, as well as just watching the kids get to put their hard work to a close at the livestock shows, and I got the opportunity to sit down and watch them, and support them, which is absolutely my favorite part by far.”
Hardaway thanks everyone who helped volunteer during the fair, which made it run smoothly and successfully last week.