By Kim Atkinson

COURTLAND
During the 2017 Franklin-Southampton County Fair Aug. 9-12, the Livestock, Horticulture, Home Arts and Commercial Buildings were very busy with loads of exciting and engaging 4-H activities for youth and adults.

Throughout the four days of the fair, several events associated with 4-H took place. In the Livestock Barn there were Shows for Goats, A Goat Obstacle Course, Goat Costume Contest, Feeder Pigs, Breeding Heifers, Poultry, Rabbits, Posters, and a Livestock Pen Decoration Contest.

In the Home Arts Building there was a 4-H Photography Contest, Agriculture in Southampton County Promotion Contest and more Posters for that 4-H Poster Contest.

Britches and Boots 4-H Club had had several stations with hands on activities and fun games for kids to play.

They even raised money for prizes to give out to fair attendees. They also represented 4-H in the Commercial Building with another beautiful display.

Club Leaders Maura Britt, Phil McPherson, adult volunteers and club members were on hand the entire weekend promoting 4-H and talking about all the opportunities their club, as well as 4-H in general, provides for youth today.

At the Horticulture Building there were many entries for various categories in Vegetable, Fruit, Crops, Veggie Art and Scarecrow making for youth to participate in. There were many hands-on activities and literature about agriculture in Southampton County. A favorite with fairgoers was the life-sized peanut photo op. It was also a favorite activity of the extension office when preparing for the fair this year; we loved making it.

Southampton 4-H  Livestock Club Show Volunteers

Without the help of adult volunteers, the 4-H Livestock Show would not be possible. These volunteers include the parents who spend their time volunteering and assisting in the barn during the fair as well as those who serve in official roles in preparation for the fair throughout the year. Walter Young Jr., and Jennifer Vincent serve on the Franklin-Southampton County Fair Board as 4-H Livestock Shows Co-Chairs. 4-H Show Superintendents included: Jennifer Johnson, 4-H Goat Superintendent; Amy Thomas, 4-H Feeder Pig Superintendent; Walt Young, and Jennifer Vincent, 4-H Breeding Heifer Superintendents; and Lori Ross, 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Superintendent.

We are appreciative of all of our 4-H Livestock Show officials — Fair board representatives, superintendents and judges — for their efforts in helping 4-H members gain a better understanding of their animals and themselves through the 4-H Livestock Shows.

Parents of the 4-H Livestock Shows participants are also deserving of praise for helping their child(ren) prepare for the fair and for assisting whenever a hand was needed during the shows or in the barn.

Congratulations to all of the exhibitors at this year’s Franklin-Southampton County Fair.

For more information about 4-H, Agriculture, any Virginia Cooperative Extension Programming or how to get involved, please call the Southampton County Extension Office at 653-2572.

If you are interested in observing another local livestock show, the next county fair in the Tidewater area will be Sept. 14-17 in Windsor.

Please visit www.thefairiscoming.com for a schedule of 4-H events.

Thank you to all of the sponsors for their generosity and support of 4-H: Smithfield Foods Inc.; Beamon & Johnson Inc.; Birdsong Peanuts; Colonial Farm Credit, ACA; Rich & Rich Bonded Auctioneers; Southampton County Farm Bureau; Southampton High School FFA; Tractor Supply Company; Meherrin Ag & Chemical Company; Bayer CropScience; Prescription Fertilizer; Manry-Rawls; Ballance Restoration and Carpet Cleaning; B&S Enterprises Inc.; Colony Tire Corp.; Coastal AgroBusiness; Helena Chemical; Hoober Inc.; James River Equipment; Precision Exteriors LLC; Pinnacle Ag; Southern States – Dean Moore; Berlin Farm Service; Carolina Eastern Inc.; J.T. Barham & Co.; R.M. Felts Packing.; Dail’s Home Center: Lee M. White Inc.; Newsoms Peanut Shop; Luck Stone; Parker Battery: Parker Oil & Propane: Rose Valley Farm; Ed and Susan Spivey; and Southampton Veterinary Clinic.

All of these events were informative, entertaining, and fun. None of them would have been possible without dedicated parents, volunteers, show officials, in-kind sponsors, and monetary supporters.

KIMBERLY ATKINSON is the Associate Extension Agent and 4-H Positive Youth Development director. Contact her at either 365-6258 or 653-2572.