In pursuit of the blue ribbon

Fairs have a long history, back to at least the Middle Ages, often celebrating a harvest or a religious holiday.

Our own Alaska State Fair is celebrating 75 Years of Growin’ this year with a wide variety of exhibits, livestock, entertainment and, of course, fair food. The 4-H program, a youth development and educational extension of the land grant university system (in our case the University of Alaska Fairbanks) also has a long history of fair involvement.

With fair season upon us, I invite you to consider the blue ribbon. Judging fair exhibits, whether it is a steer, jar of jam, cabbage or needlework item, involves the close consideration of one or more knowledgeable judges comparing that item against other similar items or a set standard. The American system may be used, which compares the items against each other, ranking and awarding ribbons accordingly. The open class exhibits often use this method.

A Danish, or group method, may also be used where exhibits are evaluated and arranged into groups based on how closely exhibits meet a pre-established standard. In the 4-H program, the Danish system is usually used and all youth receive a ribbon according to how well they have met the standard for that item, also taking in consideration the child’s age and number of years having participated in that project area.

The blue ribbon (excellent) indicates the standard has been met, if not exceeded. A red ribbon (good) means the child shows progress, but has not yet met the standard. A white (worthy) ribbon indicates an average, acceptable or satisfactory rating toward the standard. A Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion overall may or may not be awarded. In 4-H, we emphasize the raising of blue ribbon kids versus blue ribbon projects, but what does that really mean?

We hope that means we are more concerned with helping kids, as well as adults, strive to make their best better. Whether that means a presentation, a cake, chicken, painting or flower, the real goal is to help that 4-H member become a better person.

Too often I see members and adults criticize a judge, complain about unfairness, drop the project or even quit 4-H if they receive less than a blue ribbon. Often, these may be first-year projects where growth over time is expected. For some, that blue ribbon tells them they do not need to strive to do better, they know it all. If all of the exhibits receive blue ribbons, what message does that convey?

Animal exhibits can pose unique challenges. A livestock project animal may not make a minimum show weight, suddenly molts right before the fair or another unforeseen problem arises. This may be very frustrating to a young person and he or she may just quit and not attend the fair at all, missing the opportunity to continue to work with their animal and learn from the whole experience. Is this what we want our kids to learn? How about good sportsmanship, responsibility, perseverance and integrity? It is up to us as adults to continue to encourage and support our youth, through success as well as failure.

While at the fair, we need to remember who is watching. What do we want the public to see? I would hope it is young people showing well-maintained and groomed animals, good attitudes and sportsmanship, youth and adults helping and supporting each other, 4-H folks answering the public’s questions about their animals and 4-H.

Yes, it is a busy time and, yes, that little kid wants to pet my sheep with sticky hands and, yes, my steer sneezed on my shirt, but you never know who is watching. Folks tend to remember negative things much longer than positive ones. As fewer and fewer people have farm connections, it is up to us to share our knowledge and passion for agriculture.

We would all like to be considered the “winner,” but winning can come in many forms. As 4-H members and adults, we need to all do our part in helping to develop youth with a winning attitude, sense of accomplishment and strive for improvement no matter what color ribbon we receive.

For more information on the 4-H program or 4-H fair schedule, how you can help with judging, set up, the Junior Market Livestock Auction or other 4-H activities, contact the CES Office at 745-3360 or visit uaf.edu/ces/districts/matsu/4-h.

Lee Hecimovich is the 4-H and youth development agent for the Mat-Su-Copper River District.