Source: Kimberly Schrader, extension specialist, 4-H Youth Development

Kentucky 4-H youth will be showcasing their hard work and talents at the upcoming 2025 Kentucky State Fair, to be held August 14–24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. This annual event marks the culmination of months of dedication through 4-H project work in counties across the Commonwealth.

A 4-H project is more than just a hobby—it’s a hands-on learning experience that empowers youth to explore their interests while developing essential life skills. Kentucky 4-H offers a wide variety of project opportunities for young people to pursue in seven core areas: natural resources; agriculture; communication and expressive arts; family and consumer sciences; health and wellness; leadership; and science, engineering, and technology.

Throughout the year, 4-H members spend six or more hours working individually or in clubs to master specific skills within their chosen project area. Along the way, they gain valuable competencies, such as public speaking, record-keeping, and decision-making, that lead to 4-H members who thrive and are beyond ready for what the future may hold. 

The Kentucky State Fair serves as the pinnacle event for 4-H project work every year. Youth who earn champion status at the county level are invited to compete at the state level, where their projects are displayed for thousands of fairgoers to admire—from livestock exhibits in the West Hall to creative arts and STEM displays in Cloverville, located in the South Wing.

“All 4-Hers who participate in county, regional, or state fairs are winners,” said Kimberly Schrader, extension specialist for 4-H Youth Development. “They walk away with more than ribbons—they gain confidence, skills, and a sense of accomplishment that lasts a lifetime.”

All members of the public are invited and encouraged to visit the 4-H Cloverville exhibit during the fair to celebrate the achievements of Kentucky’s youth and to learn more about the impact of 4-H in their local communities.

For more information about Kentucky 4-H projects and participation at the Kentucky State Fair, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Extension office.

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The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news and communications team provides monthly Extension Exclusives in the categories of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences. To see more exclusives, visit https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu.    

 

 

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