If you are looking for a way for your child to meet new friends with common interests, learn valuable life skills in a way that’s enjoyable and maybe even earn a bit of money, you should check out 4-H. And there is no better way to get a feel for what 4-H is all about then to head to the Grays Harbor County Fair! There, you can talk to the 4-Hers and their parents, see their projects and learn about the clubs in your area. Addison Russell is just one of the many 4-Hers excited to tell you about her projects for the 2024 Grays Harbor County Fair.
From Pies to Pigs at the Grays Harbor County Fair
Addison has been in 4-H since she was 6 years old. She is now 13 and headed into eighth grade at Elma Middle School. While her family has raised cattle for a long time, it was a family friend that got them involved in 4-H. First her brother, Levi, then her. “I started out participating in the photography project and open-class baking,” she adds.
Still life projects are what 4-H calls any project that does not involve an animal. “I got into still life projects when my mom told me about them,” Addison explains. “I have always loved to bake, so my mom told me about baking competitions. My grandmother and great-grandmother got me into baking when I was really little. I have loved it ever since so I started out entering desserts. I am making a quilt also to enter in the fair.”
While baking and sewing is in her blood, so are livestock. Her favorite 4-H project is her swine project and this year at the Grays Harbor County Fair Addison will be showing two pigs. “One is my auction animal, and both are to show,” she says. “I raised two in case one didn’t make weight. I also have an angus heifer, named Zara, that I am planning on showing. She was born last year on our farm.”
Market animals are tough projects for 4-Hers. They have to raise, condition and train the animals for show. Vet appointments make sure the animals are growing properly, are at the right weight and, for some animals, they even check fat/muscle ratio. In addition, the kids have to go out into the community and solicit individuals and businesses to buy or bid on their animals at the livestock market auction, which happens at the Grays Harbor County Fair. It’s a bittersweet time for the kids, as they earn money toward their goals, but have to say goodbye to the animal they raised and worked with for a year. It’s a growing up moment too.
“I believe 4-H and programs like 4-H are great for kids,” shares Kimberly Russell, Addison’s mom. “We have an amazing sense of community when working on the projects and helping others with their projects. The confidence that comes with doing any project is well worth all the time and effort. I have three kids doing some sort of animal project, but Addison is the only one that also participates in still life. Addison has grown a lot in the last seven years in 4-H. She is strong and independent. She is super responsible and can talk to almost anyone.”
2024 Grays Harbor County Fair
This year, Addison is juggling showing her two pigs, her angus heifer and her still life projects. “I will clean out my pig pens first and get them taken care of and then I will do my heifer. I will try to split my time between them as evenly as possible,” she responds when asked how she juggles it all. She says staying up late and then getting up very early to take care of the animals makes the Fair tough. But she loves every minute of it. “I am looking forward to being able to be with my friends and my animals,” Addison adds. “I am excited to show my animals because I have worked very hard.”
Meet Addison and her projects at the 2024 Grays Harbor County Fair. She is eager to talk to you about her projects and, if you have kids interested in 4-H, it’s a great place to decide which club you may want to join.
