4-H is a family tradition for some

Family traditions can come in many themes. Some traditions involve nationalities and religion. They can be about food, activities and beliefs. Traditions are often observed during holidays or special events but can also be seen in every day activities.

A person might not expect a family tradition to arise when it comes to something like 4-H or the fair. However, for some area families, the green of 4-H and the celebration of the county and state fair are as ingrained in their lives as any family tradition.

When you see several generations of 4-H in one family, you could say it is a family tradition. That is the case in several area 4-H families. For Emily Cunningham, Courtney and Cody Greiner, the 4-H tradition can be traced back for several generations.

Emily

Emily Cunningham is the third generation of 4-Hers in the Hodges 4-H Club. Her grandmother, Margaret Cunningham, was a member of the club when it was called “Hodges Rustlers.” Margaret did clothing, food preparation and preservation as a 4-H member. She was also club reporter and the junior style queen. She never went to the state fair but learned a lot during her years as a club member.

Margaret passed on this knowledge to her children who were also members of the Hodges Club. Emily’s father, Gregg, was part of the Hodges Club for several years and took up gardening. Emily’s uncle Jon was also a 4-Her and his children have been active members of the Hodges Club.

On the other side of her family, Emily’s maternal grandparents were also in 4-H. Grandpa Robert Swanson took black angus heifers to the county fair and earned two trips to the state fair, receiving a blue and red ribbon. Grandmother Muriel Swanson was also part of the Clearwater County 4-H club and took sewing and baking.

Emily joined the Hodges 4-H club in first grade. She will be a senior next year so this could possibly be her final year of exhibiting at the fair. Over the years she has taken clothing, crafts, fine arts, food and nutrition and photography. She has gone to the State Fair every year since seventh grade.

Her favorite project is photography and she has had the most success at the state level in this project. Last year she was awarded the grand champion ribbon at the state fair for her silhouette photograph.

Emily learned her photography from her dad and also from trial and error. She has several cameras and lens she uses to make her shots. Emily strives to tell a story through her photos, not just snap pictures. She doesn’t always set out to take a specific picture but rather finds the shot as she goes along.

Her advice to young 4-Hers when it comes to exhibiting at the fair is to know your project. Having a good knowledge of your project, even telling the judges about mistakes you made along the way, is sometimes more impressive than the project itself. She added that a good conversation with a judge can change a mediocre exhibit to a blue ribbon prize.

Courtney and Cody

Courtney and Cody Greiner are another third generation 4-H family. Their grandparents were also active in 4-H, not in the Hodges Club, but in other area clubs. Jane and Delray Thielke were active in Swift and Pope County. Their daughters, including Jolene (Thielke) Greiner, exhibited projects at the Swift County fair for several years earning many trips to the state fair.

Both of the Greiner children have been in 4-H since Cloverbuds. They have taken beef and swine projects every year with considerable success. Courtney has earned several trips to the state fair and seen blue ribbon results there. This will be the first year that Cody will be eligible for the state fair so he is hoping to have the opportunity to make the trip too.

This year the pair will again be taking pigs and steers and two prospect calves to the fair. Along with their fellow 4-H members, they will be busy keeping the pens and barns clean and welcoming to fair goers. This is part of the herdsmanship portion of the livestock projects.

The Hodges Club members will also be working in the food stand at the fair again this year. Their shift is on Sunday night starting at 4:30 p.m.

Throughout the year, Emily, Courtney and Cody are also busy helping out their club with various projects. Each year the club walks road ditches and sponsors the Easter Egg Hunt. They participate in the county Share-the Fun and have a community pride project. In the past this has included a community garden and cleaning at Page Lake Beach. During monthly meetings, they give demonstrations, hold office and take part in the fun activities planned.

These three young 4-Hers have very different projects but will each be competing for the ultimate prize of going to the state fair. Along the way they will be learning more about their projects, meeting new friends and become comfortable in a judging arena. Things that will be sure to help them in the future as they go on to learn, work and compete in today’s society.

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