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County fair: A good place for first-timers

By Staff | Jul 19, 2012

EMMA LARSON, of Jefferson, works to pull a bale of straw across the finish line during the pony stick race, a part of the ag olympics on July 12 at the Greene County Fair.

By KRISS NELSON

“mailto:jknelson@frontiernet.net”>jknelson@frontiernet.net

JEFFERSON – Each fair brings many firsts. At the 2012 Greene County Fair, held in Jefferson July 10 to July 16, it wasn’t only beginning 4-H’ers getting to experience competing at the fair for the first time; it was also a first for a new employee of Greene County ISU Extension office.

Sarah Fevold is completing her first year as the youth and families coordinator for Greene County Extension, a position she has held since last August. Although she has a long history as a 4-H member and competing at the county level, this year’s fair is nothing like being a youth.

Fevold began her 4-H career as a fourth-grader in Prairie Valley elementary school and is a former member of the Gowrie Groundbreakers

Sarah Fevold

She said she spent many summer days at the Webster County Fair, in Fort Dodge, exhibiting various projects.

“This is such a different experience,” Fevold said. “(It) brings back so many memories.”

Fevold said it was fun seeing the end result of the numerous 4-H projects that of the youths. Everything has gone smoothly for her, she said, considering it is her first year, but, she added, not without all of the help she has received.

“I’m thankful for all of the volunteers, superintendents, Extension council members, youth development council, young leaders group, 4-H group leaders, fair board and the Extension staff,” said Fevold. “They have all been great to work with.”

Her duties at the fair include coordinating 4-H events and being a clearinghouse of information for 4-H’ers, their families, fair superintendents, volunteers and staff. Youth activities she’s been involved with include a photography scavenger hunt, an outdoor movie night and ag olympics.

KATE BEYERINK, Grand Junction, feeds her rabbits Thursday at the Greene County Fair in Jefferson. Beyerink and her brother, Hunter, brought seven rabbits to the fair to be judged that evening.

More than a dozen youths participated in Thursday’s ag olympics at the county fair, which included a pony stick relay race, potato sack races, three-legged race and an egg toss.

Fevold graduated last year with a bachelor’s degree in child, adult and family services from Iowa State University. Her position with Greene County ISU Extension fits perfectly with her education, she said.

“This job as brought back a lot of good memories of 4-H and I’ve had a lot of great work experience with Extension,” Fevold said. “This position mixes in agriculture, something that has always been a large part of my life.”

Another first was experienced by Colton Davis, 11, showing his rooster and miniature pony, Fluffy.

Davis, the son of John and Christen Davis, earned second place in the pony halter class and reserve champion pony mare with Fluffy. Earlier in the fair he earned two blue ribbons with this rooster.

COLTON DAVIS, 11, of Jefferson takes some time to practice with his pony, Fluffy, before the pony halter class at the Greene County Fair in Jefferson on Thursday.

Davis said he plans entering Fluffy in showmanship and a trail class later in the fair.

Davis said he was nervous before entering the show ring.

“I didn’t want to go first,” he said. “I didn’t know exactly where I was going.”

A lot of time was spent, Davis said working with Fluffy, who wasn’t always so willing to learn certain aspects required of participating in a halter class.

“We worked five times a week sometimes,” he said. “I also worked her at the 4-H horse sessions, which were helpful.

KASSIE LAMEROUREUX, left, and Kirsten Lamoureux, both of Jefferson, peruse exhibits on July 12 during the Greene County Fair in Jefferson.

“I had to teach her to trot and that took a while, but she started doing that for me.”

Davis wonders if Fluffy’s stubbornness had anything to do with her condition.

“I might’ve had a harder time with her because she is pregnant,” he said.

Davis said hewas excited for next year and plans to bring Fluffy back and possibly his family’s other horse, Butterscotch, plus poultry and goats.

“It’s been fun,” Davis said.