The County Fair is Over, Now the Adventure Begins!
As another successful Johnson County Fair comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who visited the Johnson County K-State Extension 4-H Showcase. Whether you stopped to admire photography and woodworking projects, watched livestock competitions, sampled delicious baked goods, or cheered on young exhibitors, we hope you caught a glimpse of what makes 4-H so special.
For many visitors, the Fair is their first introduction to 4-H. But what many don't realize is that the Fair is just one week of a year-round youth development program designed to help young people discover their passions, build confidence, and develop skills that prepare them for life.
At Johnson County K-State Extension, we believe learning happens everywhere—in classrooms, at home, in the community, and through hands-on experiences. 4-H brings those opportunities together by helping youth explore their interests, solve real-world problems, serve others, and connect with caring adults and peers who encourage them to grow.
Behind every exhibit, ribbon, and smiling 4-H member are months of learning, practicing, creating, problem-solving, and serving their community. Throughout the year, Johnson County 4-H members participate in leadership activities, STEM exploration, healthy living programs, community service, public speaking, photography, foods, robotics, gardening, woodworking, livestock, and more than 100 project areas.
As students head back to school, many families are thinking about how to help their children continue learning beyond the classroom. While sports, music, and other extracurricular activities all provide valuable experiences, 4-H offers something different—a place where youth can explore new interests at their own pace, develop life skills, build meaningful friendships, and discover how they can make a difference in their communities.
One of the greatest strengths of 4-H is that there is a place for everyone. You don't need to live on a farm or own an animal to participate. Whether a young person is interested in science, art, leadership, technology, cooking, civic engagement, environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship, or agriculture, 4-H provides opportunities to learn by doing while developing confidence that lasts a lifetime.
This commitment to creating opportunities for all youth reflects Johnson County K-State Extension's vision of building a stronger, more connected community by making research-based education accessible and relevant to every resident. Every club meeting, project, service activity, and leadership experience helps young people build the skills needed to contribute to the future of Johnson County.
Enrollment for the new 4-H year opens this fall (October 1 is 4-H’s New Year), making now the perfect time to explore what 4-H has to offer. Whether your child is looking to try something new, make friends, discover a future career, or simply find a place to belong, there is a place for them in 4-H.
The Fair may be over, but the learning is just beginning.
If your family was inspired by what you saw during the Johnson County Fair, we invite you to join us this fall and discover how 4-H helps youth learn, lead, serve, and thrive—all year long.
Learn more about joining a club, becoming a volunteer, or exploring project opportunities at johnson.k-state.edu/4-h.
Tara Markley, August 2026