While many organizations halted their programs due to COVID-19, Allen County 4-H stayed the course by tailoring their programs throughout the changing tides of the pandemic to ensure our 4-H youth remained actively engaged through a wide variety of project areas.  Despite having fewer in-person programs and workshops, Allen County youth proved their determination to persevere as they submitted over 155 entries for the County 4-H Project Showcase, 83 4-H Project submissions which advanced to Kentucky 4-H Cloverville and 47 Livestock entries shown at the Kentucky State Fair.     

4-H Projects submitted to the County 4-H Project Showcase and State Fair represent more than a simple item created during a 4-H meeting or workshop.  These projects represent 4-H project areas that these youth have spent dozens of hours working towards through a variety of learning experiences, hands-on practice and applied skills.  

In spite of limited in-person programs, our youth remained engaged in Take-n-Go Project Kits, Boredom Buster Academy Lessons, Service Projects and Virtual Club Meetings for the seven months making the most of their 4-H experience despite virtual burnout from online learning.  These kits and activities focused on 4-H Project and Fair eligible projects that build experiential learning skills, but could also be submitted to the County Fair.   

From this experience, Allen County 4-H’er Adalyn Skipworth challenged herself “to work hard to learn new skills to keep herself engaged during this difficult year.” 

As in-person programs return in March of 2021 - after one year of limited/virtual experiences, Allen County 4-H worked diligently to “catch up” to provide six workshops leading up to the County 4-H Project Showcase for County Fair.  These workshops included two project focused workshops: Hanging Baskets and Stamped Leather Belts. As well as four workshops highlighting multiple projects, including: Art Tinker Workshop (12 Arts Projects), Decorating Your Home (3 Home Environment Projects), Nature Hike & Collect Workshop (3 Forestry/Geology Projects) and a Window Box Building Workshop (1 Wood Science Project).

After submitting their projects to the County Project Showcase, many of these youth’s projects advanced to the Kentucky State Fair in 4-H Cloverville.  Seven Allen County youth competed at the Kentucky State Fair with their livestock entries, competing in and winning a wide variety of market and breeding animal classes.

Three youth walked away with significant titles reflecting the hard work and dedication put into their animals throughout the course of a year.  Cloverbud Member, Maddox Trammel, won Grand Champion Overall Novice Market Lamb.   Junior Member, Kelly Jo Manion, won Grand Reserve Overall Jersey Dairy Cow.  Finally, Junior Member, Ty Jones took home the prized procession by winning the Overall Grand Supreme Market Lamb and Grand Champion Breeding Ewe.    

As we reflect over the challenges of a difficult year, Allen County 4-H is proud of the tenacity and dedication of our youth who continue to push forward despite the hurdles thrown at them in life.  

Allen County 4-Her's excel in 4-H Project work with outstanding projects at the County 4-H Project Showcase, State Fair Cloverville and State Livestock shows.