National 4-H Week

More than six million young people across America recently celebrated National 4-H Week.

Here's what I have gained from 4-H-

Exploring new interests and learning new skills 

Giving demonstrations and learning to speak before an audience 

Going on exchange trips to other states to learn independence 

Acting in plays to learn how to express myself 

Hosting Cloverbud Day Camps to learn leadership skills

Serving as a Camp counselor to learn responsibility 

Being a club and County Officer to learn organization 

Helping me choose a career, becoming a better person, being proud of who I've become, that's only a small bit of what I learned in 4-H. 

Thank you 4-H!

Good-Bye Old Friend

Earlier this week the Minnesota State Fair closed its gates for another year, but my family hopped on the bus several times during its 12 day run to experience the fun and excitement. Come along as I share a few of our adventures.

 

Some days at the Fair begin with a little work, and I use the term "work" very loosely. For several years I have been asked to judge 4-H demonstrations. I love evaluating the 4-Her's presentations, and each year I am amazed at what I learn about their projects!
 After lunch and some chocolate milk refueling, it was off to watch the parade.

  We waved hello to this years Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Jeni Haler.

And yes, dairy farmers occasionally drink something other than milk. We made soda cans with our names on. No fighting over whose can is whose.

Then it was time to play detective. Since my dad passed away one year ago, and he was a huge Fair fan and supporter, our family felt it was appropriate to donate something to the Minnesota State Fair. Ta-da! The Glen Brown memorial bench!

What's a Fair without food? Time to support the hog farmers with some unbelievable maple flavored "bacon on a stick."

Son Michael and I rubbed elbows (almost) with celebrity Garrison Keillor of Praire Home Companion.

When Farmer John and I go to the Fair, part of our time is spent talking dairy. Each year we volunteer in the Moo Booth. With most people two to three generations removed from farming, this is our chance to answer questions that may have been answered by their farming relatives in the past. 

Farmer John and I were also presented with a special Champion for Dairy ribbon in acknowledgment of our 15+ years of volunteering to answer questions and share our love for the farming life we love.

Before heading home to milk our cows, we always check out the...

Our neighbor, and Princess Kay finalist, Gabriella Sorg was having her likeness carved in butter. You can learn about the Butterhead process here.

My family and I are always sad to see the Fair come to a close. Thank goodness we take lots of pictures to help us relive the memories. Until next year...good-bye old friend!

Dear Diary, Here and There

August, 2013

Dear Diary,

Most of my days at the Minnesota State Fair begin here at the 4-H building where I judge some great demonstrations.

One of my favorite resting spots is the many band shells with free entertainment. Normally it's standing room only, but not when we are enjoying a 107 degree heat index!

 

Thank goodness there is plenty of ice cold milk to keep us fair-goers refreshed on such hot days.

Fair-goers enjoyed the misting stations...

just as much as our hay fields appreciate the "misting" to produce a third crop of hay.

 

The fair will soon be over, but I always have the memories to remind me of what to look forward to next year. My tickets and malts MN State Fair giveaway winner, Randy K. W. is going to the fair today. I wonder what flavor of malt he will enjoy?

Learn about dairy at Dairy Makes Sense

Dear Diary, My State Of A-Fairs

 Friday, August 23, 2013

Dear Diary, 

Today was my first visit, for this year, to the Minnesota State Fair. As in years past, we drove to the local Park-n-Ride to catch the bus to take us to the fair. Since I'm not a fan of driving in traffic, nor do I get a thrill out of driving around the grounds looking for a parking spot, riding the bus is a blessing from above! Today I am joined by daughter Sara. 

Our day began with me judging 4-H demonstrations. I learned about pigeons, rabbits and chickens by some very knowledgeable 4-H'ers. After completing my judging session, it was time to hit our usual first stop, the butter head booth.

Princess Kay is always carved on the first day of the fair, so she is finished.

Each 90 pound block of butter waits in the rotating cooler to become a likeness of one of the Princess Kay finalists.

Princess Kay finalist Alydia Lee visits with a fair-goer while taking a break from the butter booth; dressed comfortably for the 40 degree temps in the booth, but pretty toasty for an 89 degree day outside the cooler.

Our friends Molly and Andy were at the fair too. Their son Finn especially loved the cows in the Miracle Of Birth Center. I believe a trip to our farm is coming soon so Finn can continue honing his skills on mooing.

I never could pass up a photo opportunity with a cow! You may not be able to take a cow home with you, but the good news is milk comes to your grocery store within 2 days of leaving our farm. So leave the cow-care to us, and enjoy the freshness of dairy.

 

 

I'll be back to demonstration judge again on Sunday. Looking forward to new adventures. Until then, good night diary.

Jan

Making the Best Better

 

• Exploring new interests and learning new skills
• Giving demonstrations and learning to speak before an audience 
• Going on exchange trips to other states to learn independence
• Acting in plays to learn how to express myself
• Hosting Cloverbud Day Camps to learn leadership skills
• Serving as a Camp counselor to learn responsibility
• Being a club and County Officer to learn organization

Helping me choose a career, becoming a better person, being proud of who I've become, that's only a small bit of what I learned in 4-H. Happy National 4-H week! Thank you 4-H!

Hannah Holstein and 4-H

Jan judging 4-H demonstrations

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair

Day 2

The 4-H program has always been a big part of my life. Back when I was 12 years old, I did my first Minnesota State Fair demonstration on Platform IV in the 4-H Building. "Color My World" was the demonstration title and I showed how to use different color schemes to decorate your home. I was nervous and excited at the same time. From that day forward I was hooked on demonstrating, so it is no surprise that I judge demonstrations at many County Fairs as well as the State Fair. This year Sara and I will judge 4-H demonstrations three days at the Minnesota State Fair. Come on Hannah Holstein, it's back to the fair. Yipee!

Hannah Holstein enjoyed Meghan's Peanut Butter Bars

Mary taught fair-goers how to raise calves

One of the benefits of judging is that we judges get to enjoy a delicious meal at the 4-H Dining Hall. The 4-H Building is affectionately called the 4-H Hilton, which I'm sure refers to the deluxe accommodations. Now that I recall my 4-H days, I don't think the 4-H Building has changed since I was twelve. The food is great however, and my niece Dena (L), who works at the fair, and Sara (R), topped off their meal with milk. They know that milk gives them protein and riboflavin which provides the energy they need to enjoy the great Minnesota State Fair!

I'm Having An A-FAIR!

My Jersey heifer Bonnie and I at the Washington County Fair - 1968

True confessions...I'm having an A-FAIR! It's a love A-FAIR with County Fairs! I think I have my parents to blame for this County Fair addiction. My mom and dad were superintendents of various departments at the Washington County Fair ever since I was a baby. Dad served as the chairman of the Fair Board for many years too. Washington County is also where I spent my 11 year 4-H career. After marrying John, my love A-Fair continued in Dakota County where Sara and Michael spent their many 4-H years and I served as a 4-H Leader. For nearly 30 years I have been staying connected to County Fairs by "working" as a judge for 4-H and open class exhibits and demonstrations at several fairs. There is too much to enjoy to refer to this as "work". I love staying connected to 4-H and County Fairs! Another true confession... I have passed on my addiction to Sara and Michael, as they also judge at County Fairs. 

After judging this week, I spent some time seeing some of my favorite sites at the Dakota County A-FAIR.

Dakota County Dairy Princesses Janna, Maggie, Beth

Ryan H. and his 4-H beef

Hannah L. and Abigail G. Youth-In-Action 4-H demonstration

In just 2 weeks I will begin judging 4-H demonstrations at the State Fair! True confessions...I have a love A-Fair with the Minnesota State Fair Too!