photo by Sarah Kirchner

Seven-year-old Ross Lenort explains to judge Jeanie Opdahl how he helped raise his chicken, named Hawk, a part of his Cloverbuds 4-H project. Students of all ages brought their 4-H projects to the Freeborn County Fair Monday to be judged.

Let the judging begin

Cloverbuds were up first at Freeborn County Fair

By Sarah Kirchner | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Freeborn County Fair may not have officially started Monday, but the youngest members of area 4-H clubs experienced what it was like to have judges examine their projects, some for the first time.

Cloverbuds — students in kindergarten through second grade — stood in line with their projects for judges sitting in the 4-H Exhibition Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, waiting patiently to describe what they did and what they learned.

Throughout the rest of the building, older 4-H students set up their own projects and exhibits to be judged as well. When judging began at 10:30 a.m., the building was a buzz of activity.

Cloverbuds were not judged like the rest of the 4-H projects. Each student explained one, two or three projects that could fall into a variety of categories. After the discussion with the judge, each Cloverbud received a participation ribbon and got their picture taken with their projects.

“It’s just to experience 4-H in a noncompetitive way,” said 4-H Program Coordinator Megan Thorson.

All of the projects completed by the youngest 4-H’ers sit on display on bleachers just inside the building’s doors.

Six-year-old Blaine Longe and his three brothers were at the fair Monday to show of their woodworking projects. Blaine, 7-year-old Martin Longe and 8-year-old Sam Longe all made wall hangings that consisted of wooden hooks with pictures on plaques hanging from each hook by a string.

Blaine’s and Sam’s pictures were of dirt bikes and dune buggies, while Martin painted his tiles with a green, 4-H theme.

“We’re all into dirt, so we wanted to make it a project,” said the boys’ father, Joe Longe.

The oldest Longe brother, 10-year-old Tyler, made a shelf. All boys worked on their projects with Joe’s help.

“I like it. It’s fun. It’s a learning experience,” Joe said.

Ross Lenort, 7, raised 25 chickens and a rabbit — with the help of his family — for his 4-H project. Ross kept the chickens warm with a heat lamp, fed them and played with them, he said.

He brought his favorite chicken, the runt of the litter named Hawk, to the judges Monday.

“It’s been fun to see what they’ve come up with for their projects and what they know about how they did them,” said judge and county Cloverbud Adviser Jeanie Opdahl. She has been working with the students all year.

“Cloverbuds is a wonderful opportunity for the young kids,” she said. “I think it’s an important thing.”

Outside of fair projects, Cloverbuds meet on a bimonthly basis and must participate in one of 18 4-H clubs throughout Freeborn County. During the summer months, Cloverbuds can attend day camps with games, songs and activities, Thorson said.

Cloverbuds begin the 4-H process and learn responsibility, the project areas and what it’s like to get judged at the fair.

“They get excited about being in 4-H,” Thorson said.