“Michigan 4-H’ers and other youth work hard all year long on their many projects, and that didn’t stop when the pandemic hit,” said Jake DeDecker, state 4-H leader with MSU Extension. “In fact, many youth took that extra time and poured their efforts into projects and activities. By partnering with the Michigan State Fair, we were able to provide youth with a new and exciting way to showcase what they’ve worked on while receiving recognition for their accomplishments and obtaining valuable feedback for their personal development.”

To participate, youth entered photos and videos of their individual projects through the online FairEntry platform. There were a wide variety of participation options, including traditional classes like showmanship, breeding and market classes for livestock and companion animals, and still exhibits such as crafts, creative writing and baking. Youth were also able to enter projects that are not always showcased in a typical fair, including educational projects and demonstrations in areas such as shooting sports, urban agriculture and leadership, among others.

In total, more than 400 youth from 63 Michigan counties entered more than 2,000 projects in the inaugural event. Evaluation began on August 24 with youth receiving an A, B or C rating, as determined by project standards.

Congratulations to the following Alpena County youth for their exhibition:

Angelina DeCare

¯ Alison Borowski

¯ Angelina DeCare

¯ Jazzmyne Kowalski

“A major focus within our event has always been giving back to the community and encouraging the educational and personal development of Michigan’s youth,” said Blair Bowman, Michigan State Fair manager. “We are thrilled that we are able to continue and expand upon that tradition through this new virtual platform.”

To view additional placings for the 2020 Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase, visit www.michiganstatefairllc.com.

Jazzmyne Kowalski