News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Evi Kimball, left, and Hailey Powell stand by Powell’s chickens and turkeys on Saturday at the Alpena County Fair. Weigh-in and animal haul-in took place on Saturday.

ALPENA — Over 140 youth in the 4-H program will be participating in animal showing events at the Alpena County Fair this week.

Michelle Eagling, Alpena County 4-H program coordinator, said that the number of students participating in events at the fair has been increasing over the last four years.

“Our barns are full,” she said. “We had to get two extra tents for animals this year.”

They also had to work with Montmorency County 4-H to share pens.

As far as the amount of work that goes into it, fair week is the biggest program for 4-H each year, Eagling said.

Youth show all different kinds of animals, including chickens, horses, and rabbits.

Alpena County 4-H has one of the largest 4-H programs in Northern Michigan. They host 175 youth in 4-H Clubs. Around 2,500 youth are reached by 4-H programs in the county each year.

A steady flow of funding for 4-H has come from the Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage since 2011.

The 4-H program began in the early 1900s to improve agricultural practices with youth programming, Eagling said.

Youth used to learn skills like canning and different practices for growing corn.

Today, youth learn leadership skills and community involvement, with 4-H acting as a stepping stone for youth to become tomorrow’s leaders, Eagling said.

Through the fair, students learn public speaking, sportsmanship, and entrepreneurship.

Throughout the year, 4-H coordinates other events and programs, like the pollinator garden at Lincoln Elementary and an annual ice fishing program.

ALPENA COUNTY FAIR 4-H EVENTS THIS WEEK

Today: Small fowl show at 9 a.m. and hog show at 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Goat show at 9 a.m., alpaca show after noon, beef cattle show at 4 p.m., followed by dairy cattle show after 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Rabbit show at 9 a.m., draft horse show at 11 a.m., pleasure horse show at 3 p.m.

Thursday: Small animal sweepstakes at 9 a.m., speed horse show at 11 a.m., large animal sweepstakes at 5 p.m.

Friday: 4-H awards breakfast at 10 a.m., 4-H market animal sale at 4 p.m.

Saturday: Open speed horse show at 10 a.m.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.