It's that time of year again! The animals are being groomed, fresh produced being canned, pickled, and pruned, the title of best Michigan cherry pie is on the line yet again. Of course it's fair season.
As I spend my mornings on the farm, I see the fair as a bonding experience between the generations of farmers. Grandfathers teach their granddaughters how to properly clip the hair on their show steer for beef club. Mothers help their sons rehearse talent routines for the Fair King scholarship competition. We all come together to celebrate the fruits of agriculture.
For kids, fair week is one of the most exciting of the summer. They can show how much they have learned and grown, and how far hard work and dedication can go. I remember going to friend's houses and seeing all their ribbons displayed prominently in their bedrooms. A fair ribbon gives a sense of pride and accomplishment. It doesn't come from being lucky, it comes from hard work and time spent on completing a goal. These are the things that American Culture values. With fewer and fewer people getting this type of exposure, are we willing to give up our core value of work ethic?
Now not every child is going to show in the fair, or like the fair. I never did, but I understand that it is an important part of rural life. I used to walk through the exhibits, taking in all the sights and sounds, and I was proud of my community, and the local 4-H. We need to support those organizations around the agriculture community that support us and teach young people the benefits of hard work, leadership, and confidence in the show ring.
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