4-H, standing for “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health,” is a program coordinated by county Extension offices that encourages youth from ages 8-18 to learn about anything from sewing or photography to raising cattle or barrel racing horses. Some projects are considered “statics,” on which skills, and others are animal oriented, teaching participants to raise and care for animals of many different types.

FFA, or the Future Farmers of America, a high school-based program that offers a wide variety of projects that are more often agricultural related. Participants can also learn such skills as small engine repair, small animal care, woodworking and a myriad others.

“There is a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineer and math)-related technical skills as well as preparing participants to be work-ready when they graduate from high school.” according to Steve Wharton, an agricultural education instructor at Minot High School.

4-H and FFA projects are a large part of what make the State Fair what is it. The fair is, for these participants, the culmination of a year of hard work developing skills and often physically growing their projects from the ground up in a literal sense. Each member of these organizations must compete at various competitions, including their county fair, to be eligible to participate in the State Fair. The State Fair is the final competition, where the best of the best projects are selected.

Alison Greathouse and her horse Smart Sugar Britches present ribbons they earned at the North Dakota State Fair last year.

In Minot, participants of FFA and 4-H such as Makayla Kraft, Shelsey Brandvold and Alison Greathouse shared their experiences with these programs.

Brandvold has participated at the North Dakota State Fair with each of her projects since the third grade with 4-H, and since the seventh grade with FFA. She counts herself fortunate to have made it to the State Fair each year and said that it takes a lot of work to get that far.

Her favorite projects were through the FFA with her agriscience topics, including animal vivisection, a part of the veterinary service program. She has also done several projects on the public perceptions of several aspects of agriculture, including meat production and consumption to autonomous farming. She did these projects with the intention of ultimately becoming a veterinarian and has won several awards, including grand champion – the best there is.

Brandvold said through these projects, she has learned to see that when she puts the work in, her work is rewarded, but if she doesn’t put the work in, someone else will. She has shown her work and been rewarded, and said the fair is a great opportunity to see the accomplishments of all the people who have worked hard through the year to present their exhibits.

Kraft participates in both 4-H and FFA. Her main projects are plants, and she works at a local nursery. She also does baking and agronomy, but her favorite project with FFA was a clock made from scrap wood – cutting, sanding, routing, burning and eventually having a finished project that was fun to make and will last.

Makayla Kraft won reserve grand champion for a cake that she prepared for judges at the Ward County Achievement Days.

Kraft said she has won plaques, ribbons, cash prizes, and told of a project that earned second place, but she was glad she didn’t win because “if I would have won, I wouldn’t have been able to compete this year.” The to-be president of the FFA chapter said the program has taught her a lot about leadership, gave her skills such as public speaking, and has built friendships for her across the state. In 4-H, Kraft won both grand champion and reserve grand champion but said a project with a wheelbarrow flower pot is the one she cherishes because “I have never been so proud of myself.” She won best of show for that project.

She said involvement in these projects is not just agriculture like most people think. “It’s all your skills, leadership, speaking, networking combined into one with influence from agriculture.”

Kraft said there are many things to do at the fair. “It just depends what you are there for,” she said. She said there are many tasty treats to be found throughout the grounds, but if you are there for an insight into the agricultural side of things, “you should 100% go look at the exhibits in the 4-H and FFA halls.” She said she is also very excited about the concert lineup this year at the Grandstand.

Greathouse explained how FFA is a lot more structured than 4-H and gives an opportunity to take a more in-depth look at agriculture in general. Her horse has been her main project but this year she is also showing a rabbit. She said she has met many “really great people” in her experience with 4-H and FFA and there is an excellent support network to be found there.

Her first year at state competition made her very proud to be able to represent her county, her town, and her club at the level that she has. She has won several awards, including blue and red ribbons (first and second place in specific competitions.) She has other plaques and awards as well, including “all-around high point” in her first year in the senior class. She was proud of her horse, and said they learned together throughout the year.

Makayla Kraft won grand champion at the Ward County Achievement Days for a canned peach project.

When asked about the fair in general, Greathouse said the fair is “a lot of fun,” full of long, hot days, and said of each day that “once the day is over and you have your awards, you feel pretty great. Even if you didn’t win anything, you still feel pretty good about the day and being able to socialize.” She said FFA has made her grow out of her shell and grow as a person. “It makes sure that people learn how to take care of key details in life and accomplish what needs done,” she said.

For those curious about what goes on in FFA, Greathouse said, they should go to the exhibits and show barns and talk to anyone there. “You will find that participants will be happy to answer any questions you may have,” she said.