To most people the Lake County Fair is a time of fun and enjoyment of the many vendors and rides, but to the many 4-H and FFA members, fair time is much more than that.

Nine years ago I joined the Scotts Valley 4-H Club and ever since then I have been raising market and breeding animals to show at our local Lake County Fair.

Not only is fair time the best time of the year for me and my fellow 4-H members, but it is a time for us to show our animal projects that we have been raising and caring for months before Labor day weekend to the public.

What most fairgoers don’t know is that almost all 4-H and FFA members spend the entire fair period caring and showing their animals in the livestock barn during fair.

During fair, parents aren’t allowed to physically help or assist the members with their animals. The animals are cared for only by the members. Most even spend their nights in camp trailers or tents on the fairgrounds in order to wake up early to feed and care for their animals much like they do at home.

The morning of the animal shows are busy and full of anticipation and excitement. Livestock exhibitors wake up even earlier than usual, even before the barn lights turn on in the morning, to feed and clean their animals fit for show.

After their animals are done they change into their uniform of white jeans, long sleeve white collared shirts, complete with a belt, boots, and 4-H/FFA scarf/tie. Even in the hot weather FFA members wear their FFA jackets.

The members' performance in the show ring doesn’t start the morning of the show day at fair, but rather their practice starts months before at home, teaching their animals to show and become comfortable with their young owners.

I have been showing and raising lambs for nine years and pigs for five years. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to raise any animals this year because my classes at Chico State start during fair time, inhibiting my ability to show at fair.

I was very sad when I realized that last year was my last year in 4-H, the club I have loved for all these years; 4-H has benefited me largely and it has been essential for me to achieve my goal of going to a four year college.

Chico State is a four-year CSU and as many know it comes at a price. Without 4-H I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goal of becoming a Chico State student.

Not only has selling my 4-H animals at the auction been helping me financially by making it so I can afford my books for college but 4-H has also helped me mentally. The 4-H and FFA members really benefit from the auction and the whole program.

In 4-H through experience and practice, I have learned to keep accurate records, speak publicly, present myself and my project to the best of my ability, be self-motivated, responsible, sportsmanship like, patient, respectful, and be a team member as well as a leader.

At the Lake County Fair Junior Livestock Auction I have sold my market animals to a local business or individuals. Without their support all these years I wouldn’t have achieved as much as I have now. I am very grateful for their support and I can never thank them enough.

In four years I will graduate Chico State and hopefully get into UC Davis or another college of veterinary medicine to become a mixed practice veterinarian. After four years of vet school I plan to return to Lake County and practice where I grew up. I will become a buyer at the livestock auction and a sheep breeder to support 4-H members who will be in the place I once was.

I am very grateful for all the businesses and individuals that have not only supported me but my 4-H peers as well. So this year at the fair please stop by the livestock barn and take a look and notice how well all the animals are cared for and notice the hard working youth that take care of them and recognize the businesses and individuals who support them.

Miranda Wanzer is a member of the Scotts Valley 4-H Club in Lakeport, Calif. The 4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453, 707-263-6838.