It’s crunch time! The Freeborn County Fair is just around the corner and everyone is extremely busy getting ready for the big week. These next weeks will bring back very familiar memories of when I was a 4-H member in Freeborn County. My name is Krystle Lonning, and I am this year’s 4-H summer intern.

I am experiencing the fair in a new way this year; I will not be an exhibitor but will be working with the staff. One thing I have noticed while working with the staff is that I did not know what all it took to get ready for the fair. It truly is a whole year project! There are so many little things that have to be done that help to make the week of the fair run smoothly.

Over the past few weeks, besides getting ready for county fair, I have helped the Extension staff do a few of these little things like get paperwork ready, clean out buildings and find a few people to help at shows. Besides working on those little things for the fair, I have also held a few daycamps in Glenville, Alden and Emmons. Each of these camps has had a wonderful turnout and the members who came have left with a lot of cool instruments and artwork. In addition to the day camps I have had a huge role in making the Emmons garden a success. In addition to the Emmons garden, I have had a chance to work with the Family Y kids, The Children’s Center kids and Halverson kids at the Halverson garden.

One conflict I had when first starting working with 4-H was being so close in age with some of the members. Many of these members were in the program while I was in 4-H and some I had known for years. I remember telling my family that I was so worried that some people would still see me as a member and not as the summer intern. However, I was wrong; the people in the 4-H program have been amazing! They are patient, very understanding and willing to work with me. They have made this summer a lot less stressful and really fun for me!

I would like to say that I am very happy to be back to the county that helped shape my love of the 4-H program and excited to give back to the program. I also hope that you come out to the fair and see what the members in 4-H have been working so hard on this year.

If you have any questions about 4-H or the fair, feel free to give the Extension Office a call at 507-377-5660.

Krystle Lonning is the Freeborn County 4-H intern.