The Willis family is working hard prepping for the 2024 Grays Harbor County Fair. It’s a lot of work to raise, train and condition an animal for the Fair. It’s even more work if you are also your 4-H Club’s leader. The Willis Family not only has two daughters in the 3LC 4-H Club, but their mother, Annmarie Willis, is the Club Leader. Meet them all in the cattle barn at the Grays Harbor County Fair.
Getting Into Grays Harbor County 4-H
“I got involved in 4-H because my family had family friends who were starting a 4-H group, and they invited us into it,” shares Amelia Willis, who is going into the 10th grade this fall. She and her sister, Lila, have been in 4-H for three years. Both have shown market rabbits and market steers over the years as well as still life projects. Still life projects are non-animal 4-H projects.
Annmarie loves what 4-H has taught her daughters and the other kids in the club. “I think 4-H is beneficial to kids because it gives them an opportunity to learn through experience,” she shares. “4-H can help kids grow their independence and confidence while learning real-life skills. I’ve watched my kids take accountability in caring for their market steers and I’ve seen their compassion blossom as they care for their animals daily.”
Market animal projects take a lot of time and effort. The kids have to care for and train the animals for show. The animals have to pass vet inspections and weigh-ins. In addition, the kids have to learn about marketing and go out into the community to get bidders for their animals. “They’ve taken the lead in marketing their animals by creating and mailing hundreds of Christmas cards and brochures,” adds Annmarie. “They take the time to make phone calls to potential buyers and donors. I watch their people skills develop while they make those phone calls, visit businesses and talk to fairgoers about their projects and seeing the pride in their accomplishment.”
Meet the Willis Family at the 2024 Grays Harbor County Fair
This year, both girls are doing market steers and still life projects. One of the life skills they have learned is figuring out what is profitable and what isn’t when it comes time to choose their projects. “Considering that my market steers have been the most successful in both the animal’s behavior and the monetary profit they make, I would have to say market steers,” shares Lila when asked what is her favorite 4-H project. “Watching my steer grow throughout the year with all the work I put into him is rewarding.”
Amelia also likes her steer projects, in particular Fritz, whom she showed last year. “My second year I had a black angus beef steer, his name was Fitz and he won reserve champion in showmanship, and I also brought a black angus breeding heifer to fair to show, and she won reserve champion in showmanship,” she shares. “Out of all these projects I would say that Fitz was probably my favorite because he was really easy to work with.”
For her still life project, Lila created a presentation explaining the differences between a steer, bull, heifer, cow and calf while Amelia’s is on the digestive system of cattle.
The Grays Harbor County Fair is the pinnacle for 4-Hers. It’s where all their hard work over the past year comes to fruition. They get to spend a week with friends who share interests. For most, it’s the best time of the year. “What I’m most looking forward to is spending time with friends I might not have the chance to have in everyday life,” shares Lila. “I also enjoy talking to the public and answering questions they might have.”
“The thing I’m most excited about fair is being able to share my projects with the public,” adds Amelia. Amelia was also a counselor this year at the Grays Harbor 4-H camp. “The reason I decided to become a counselor at camp was just that last year was my first year as a camper and I enjoyed it a lot, so this year I decided to go to camp for my first year as a counselor, and I’m really glad I did because it was really enjoyable. My favorite thing about being a 4-H camp counselor is the connections that you make with campers.”
The Fair brings challenges to the 4-Hers too. “I think the most challenging thing about Fair is the stress and problems that arise leading up to it,” shares Lila. “For example, this year my steer had injured his foot a couple of months ago. Not only did this stop me from being able to work with him, but it also halted his weight gain when his body decided to focus on healing his foot. Fortunately, he didn’t take long to heal, I was able to start working with him, and he’s now gaining weight rapidly, but during those few weeks, I worried a lot.” Amelia adds that waiting around once you are at the Fair can be challenging too.
Both girls are eager to share their 4-H experiences with the public. Come meet the Willis Family in the Cattle Barn. It just might spark a new journey in your child that will give them skills useful for the rest of their lives.
