Johnson County Fair Superintendents Build Future Leaders

Long before the first ribbon is awarded, months of preparation go into making the county fair a success. One of the key roles volunteers play each year includes the work of a volunteer superintendent who ensures everything runs smoothly for the exhibitors and 4-H members

The 4-H superintendent serves as the main point of contact for 4-H members and has the unique opportunity to ensure every youth has the opportunity to be seen, heard, and recognized for their hard work on their project. Responsibilities include checking in entries, providing steady communication, and aiding judges with ribbon assignments. Although the judging day is often long, the 4-Hers' enthusiasm when receiving ribbons or completing their judge interactions makes all the work very rewarding.

Barb Boggs has been the superintendent of the 4-H Ceramics department for the Johnson County Fair for the past five years as well as a Club Leader for the Lucky Clover 4-H club for 10 years. With her older siblings in 4-H, Barb has been involved in 4-H since birth.

Barb enjoys interacting with all the youth, but her favorite are the ones who are nervous about talking to the judges. “I empathize with them as I cried through my entire first talk I ever gave in 4-H! By being able to give the 4-Hers tips on talking to the judge, and then giving them a high five after they do it, is the highlight of judging day.”

Valarie LaPean was asked to serve as a 4-H swine superintendent a little over three years ago. She says growing up in 4-H was the precipice that helped her develop a passion for the livestock industry. She is incredibly thankful today for that passion turned into a fun and engaging career.

For Valarie, it isn’t about helping a 4-Her maximize their animals’ performance. “The animal is no longer my project – the development of strong young leaders with a passion for animal husbandry is the project I continue to invest in!”

There was one year she watched an older 4-Her console a first-time member as they wrapped up the sale of their first swine project.

“I was so proud to witness the leadership of one youth member willing to take a moment out of their time to meet the new young member where they were, emotionally. He saw the new member struggling with the feelings of loss at the end of a project and remembered what it was like when he had those same feelings,” says Valarie. What happened next would make any adult proud.

The older member wrapped his arm around the younger member, asked them about what they had learned and how they took care of their animal, and reminded him that they had done something very special this week. He told the younger member to hold your head up high when someone asked what you did over the summer and respond with, “I learned how to help feed the world!” “Witnessing that moment brought tears to my eyes and confirmed for me how 4-H shapes future leaders,” says Valarie.

Seeing the genuine development of character in the youth that will one day represent the best of our community is one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering. Even after many years of helping at the county fair, these volunteer 4-H superintendents find that each time they volunteer, they see the impact this fair has for youth today and in future years.

By Tracy Hemsath, Volunteer Leadership and Development Agent, 2025

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