4-H family manages chaos of Fair Week

By Susan Huppert
Posted 8/9/22

A cluster of muck boots sit inside the door of the Hince residence in rural Pierce County. Backpacks hang on hooks and notes cover the bulletin board. Jennifer, mother of four and …

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4-H family manages chaos of Fair Week

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A cluster of muck boots sit inside the door of the Hince residence in rural Pierce County. Backpacks hang on hooks and notes cover the bulletin board.

Jennifer, mother of four and co-leader of the Martell Rushers 4-H Club, is preparing for the Pierce County Fair. So are her kids. Enrolled in projects from pigs to puppets, there is a swirl of energy in the home as they apply the final touches to entries. Jointly, the four siblings ranging from ages 8 to 16 years have entered about 52 entries. A sense of individual responsibility and anticipation permeates the group as they gather at the kitchen table to discuss what is ahead.

The family will be making multiple trips to coordinate all the entry deadlines beginning this Friday, with the cat show. Sunday is archery. Monday is Cloverbuds. There are crops and art pieces, photography and baking, among a wide range of other projects needed to be properly tagged for presentation. Dad will help get the pigs trailered and settled in their pens. A family full of 4-Hers is not for the faint of heart when fair time arrives.

“One of the biggest challenges is keeping all the schedules straight,” said Jennifer Hince. “We just hunker down and get it done.”

It seems there was time over Christmas break or Spring break, comments Jennifer. Uncompleted projects are the focus now.

“It gets hectic, stressful, chaotic and fun,” she said. “Kids get irritable and cranky.”

But stress management is a life-skill they are developing.

Dakota, a Cloverbud this year, finds his older sisters helpful.

“Sometimes we help each other,” said 13-year-old Morgan. “I don’t do projects for them, I just give them tips; things I have learned.”

The girls have been showing pigs repeatedly. They wait for the purple ribbon to come their way. Last year, Jorja won a purple in crops, and in showmanship for pigs.

“I was pretty happy about that,” she said. I was hoping for one. It felt good to achieve one of my goals.”

Jorja, 16, acknowledges there is pressure before the county fair between buckling down to complete the best entry she can or just enjoying the summer. As an older mem- ber she benefits from a wider range of 4-H events including a trip to Space Camp in Al- abama, drama festivals, serving as an ovcer in her club and community service.

“I feel I have evolved through 4-H. It teaches us how to be good leaders and to serve others,” said the eldest sibling and current president of her club. “There are a lot of opportunities to meet people, make friends and experience new things.”

“4-H is a lot about the fair, but it is not all about the fair,” said their mom.

Martell Rushers has adopted a portion of highway where they pick up trash, ouered Christmas caroling to the Spring Valley nursing home, attended Feed My Starving Children and participated in the Christmas Gift Box Program, through Samaritan’s Purse.

“I like the change of environment from school,” said Morgan. “It gives you a chance to make others smile.”

This year they are volunteering a shift at the 4-H food stand where even Cloverbuds like Dakota can wipe tables and sweep floors. 4-H has held a place in this family for 11 years. Each avrms they still enjoy working with others and meeting new people.

“We have a good group of kids in our club,” said Jennifer.

4-H, Pierce County, Wisconsin