Well, the Sacramento County Fair 2010 has come and gone and left in its wake a surprising variety of different animals that are, no doubt, very glad to get back to their own stall, pasture, pen, and cage, followed closely by a trainload of exhausted parents, grand-parents, family friends, and just friends in general, along with the zillion workers and volunteers who stepped up to make a wonderful farm and ranch experience happen for the 4-H and FFA clubs in our area over the Memorial Day Weekend.  Our 4-H members here were no exception and Team AHEC was well represented by a dairy goat, three mini-horses, and one big horse, as well as their respective young handlers and parents.

The weekend represents many things to these young people, not just a weekend of play with friends.  It is an opportunity to display animal skills they have learned through hands-on work with their respective project, as well as a commitment to that animal’s care throughout the run of the Fair.  I want to take this opportunity to say well done to Jennifer, Sabrina, Matthew, Bethany, and Hannah.  We are all very proud of you!  You took good care of your animals and pitched in and helped when the mini-horse stalls flooded several times, you shared with others what you have learned, and you represented 4-H well with your good sportsmanship and appropriate behavior.  Good job!  Your families and I are very proud of you and I’m glad that all of you belong to our AHEC family.

I’m thinking we should celebrate all those pretty ribbons you kids brought home so maybe it’s time to drag out that ice cream freezer in the attic and make some homemade ice cream.  Whadda think?