Burlington Haw Eye, United States

Burlington Hawk Eye, United States 07-05-07

County fair, 4-H keep expanding

By MEGAN SPEES [email protected]

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.