Burlington Hawk Eye, United States
07-05-07
County fair, 4-H keep expanding
By MEGAN SPEES
intern@thehawkeye.com
DONNELLSON -- Hearty livestock and freshly picked produce no longer are the
only contenders vying for a blue ribbon at the Lee County Fair.
Iowa's oldest county fair is also one of the largest in the area. The annual event
started Tuesday night with a rodeo at the grandstand. Today's admission is free
and main events include the crowning of the Lee County Fair queen and "Lee
County Idol," a local talent show.
Exhibits and projects showcased at the fair are a testimony to the role the Lee
County Extension Office plays in the community.
The extension office was established more than a century ago to tackle crop and
production problems. Funding for the Lee County Extension is drawn from local
property tax, state assistance, federal funding, grants and contracts and user
fees. Lee County residents pay a tax of 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation
to support the organization.
Lee County Extension Director Bob Dodds said each county's extension service
is unique based on the needs of the community it serves. However, all offices
share the same mission and purpose through the Iowa State University
Extension.
With society's increasing dependence on the Internet to learn about everything
from cooking to car repair, some may wonder if Extension offices remain
necessary.
"It's not as simple as that," Dodds said.
Even if help can be found online, he said, it is not always accurate.
"(Extension literature) has been research-based, and it has good science behind
it," he said.
Nine extension agents serving Lee County have expanded their services to
include energy alternatives, Main Street development, commercial and home
horticulture and woodland maintenance.
"I see ourselves becoming more involved in economic development," Dodds
said.
When Dodds joined the extension staff in 1983, about 90 percent of Lee County
4-H members lived on working farms. As more farming families establish
residence within city limits and "city kids" express interest in 4-H, the organization
has become more diversified and is comprised of about 200 area youth. Dodds
said at present about 75 percent of Lee County 4-H members live on small
acreages or in urban areas.
The Small Pets program brings in many members who may have no agricultural
background. One of the most rapidly growing 4-H groups, the Small Pets
program teaches children how to raise and care for domestic animals.
A small pets barn built last year, a barn for children not yet old enough to join 4-H
and a newly completed swine barn are proof that agriculture is still a significant
part of what 4-H and the extension office are all about.
Other projects in such areas as computer science, welding and nutrition provide
youth with a variety of learning opportunities. In recent years, 4-H members have
gained more freedom to choose what they are interested in studying and how
much time they wish to devote to a particular subject.
The number of non-livestock exhibits at the Lee County Fair have increased in
recent years.
Fair board member Kathy Steffensmeier of West Point is impressed with the
photography exhibit in the Art Hall.
"We've got some real quality photos," she said.
In the years to come, Dodds said the organization will continue to see more
urban youth join 4-H and more opportunities will be provided for members to set
study and project goals.
Despite the changes brought about by advancing technology since the early
1980s, "the enthusiasm is the same (among the members), and they're a lot of
fun to work with," Dodds said.