Molly Jones 4-H Youth Development Agent
Many of our Lowcountry 4-H Youth Development Agents joined to promote and provide opportunities at the Coastal Carolina Fair from October 27th through November 6th, 2022. Various contests, exhibitions, and livestock shows were included in the 4-H presence at the fairgrounds.
Exhibitions at the Creative Arts building included a 4-H Club Christmas Tree Competition, 4-H in Action Posters that tell a story about the hard work in various project areas by 4-H youth participants, and the Clemson Extension School Garden Contest welcoming entries from across the state of South Carolina! Thanks to Mrs. Amy Dabbs, the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and Charleston Garden Club for organizing and donating fantastic prizes for the School Garden Contest winners! All ribbons and gift cards for exhibit winners were supplied by the Exchange Club of Charleston. Along with the tremendous creative arts entries, a flock of our feathered 4-H friends was featured in the Agricultural barn chicken exhibition! 4-H Poultry Project poster entries proudly hung above the birds. All the fantastic entries by 4-H youth showcased the positive impacts of 4-H Youth Development programs across the state and Lowcountry counties.
A Total of four onsite contests were hosted on the two Saturdays of the fair by Molly Jones, Dorchester County 4-H Youth Development Agent, and Gayle Williford, Berkeley County 4-H Youth Development Agent. On Saturday, October 29th, the 4-H Ferris Wheel Contest took place in the Creative Arts building in the Creative Arts building, the 4-H Ferris Wheel Contest took place. Eight youth participants competed in an engineering STEM challenge to construct a sturdy, free-standing Ferris Wheel that would spin freely on a central axle. Two volunteer judges observed and judged participants, Mr. Dusty Jones from Boeing South Carolina and Mr. Gerald Harris of Trident Technical College. All participants were awarded for their efforts, with ribbons, a certificate, and/or a gift card provided by the Exchange Club of Charleston. The completed Ferris Wheels were then displayed for the remainder of the fair to be enjoyed by fair visitors.
Saturday, November 5th, was a busy day in the Agricultural barn. 4-H Agents Molly Jones of Dorchester County and Dawn Stuckey of Colleton and Hampton Counties hosted the 4-H Rabbit Showmanship Show and the 4-H Poultry Showmanship Show concluding the livestock show season for 2022! A total of fifteen youths participated in the combined shows. Onlookers enjoyed watching the impressive showmanship skills of the 4-H’ers. Ribbons and Tractor Supply Co. gift cards were awarded to top-placing participants provided by the Exchange Club of Charleston. Dr. Michelle Hall of Clemson Extension and Mrs. Becky Pelton of Dusty Bugs Poultry was the day’s volunteer judges. Both judges assisted in judging the exhibit poultry and awarded ribbons to top placing birds. Participants with top placing birds received gift cards to Tractor Supply Co. provided by the Exchange Club of Charleston along with their placement ribbons.
We are proud of all the 4-H youth participating in the Coastal Carolina Fair in 2022! Local fairs are a fantastic platform for 4-H youth to show their hard work and dedication to various projects and clubs. Fair exhibits, contests, and shows allow the public to observe how 4-H is Making the Best Better through Positive Youth Development programming.
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