St. Louis County Fair Kicks Off With 4-H Shows

CHISHOM, Minn. — The St Louis County fair kicked off Wednesday as members of the 4-H club show off their animals.

To start things off the St. Louis County 4-H held a rabbit and poultry show.

Kids in 4-H take care of their rabbits year round and bring them in for judging. Each rabbit is judged on its fur, nails, teeth and the overall health of the animal.

The young caretakers are even asked about how they care for their animals.

As the kids age, they are asked more difficult questions about their caretaking, and it’s not just bunnies and birds, there was also a horse show.

4-H teaches kids various skills including leadership and interviewing as well as caretaking.

“The other big life skill they learn is just their leadership, taking care of their projects, especially those that are like animal or livestock based projects. You know, they’re the ones that are in there every day, taking care of their animals, feeding their animals, watering their animals, learning about veterinary habits or veterinary skills learning how to just overall care, clip nails, trim hooves, you know, clip fur, that kind of stuff for it,” Nicole Kudrle, St. Louis County 4-H Extension Educator said.

4-H also gets youth involved in other hands-on activities, such as cooking, crafts and STEM projects such as engineering and photography.