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The Logan County Fair
page 323 Tuesday, August 7, 2012
With more than 90 animals and more than 40 kids participating, the Logan County Fair 4-H Beef Show was the
largest 4-H livestock show at the fair this year. It was something that impressed judge Lee Stremsterfer, as he
often commented on not only the quality of animals he was seeing but also the quality of kids he was finding at
the Logan County Fair.
Stremsterfer is a cattle owner and shows at many open shows. He told the audience that the quality of animal he
was seeing at the Logan County Fair was outstanding. He often commented during the show that an animal was
one he would be proud to have in his own herd.
Even so, as he spoke about the animals, he also spoke about the young people who are involved in raising
livestock. He said that the number of young people willing to do the work involved in caring for and showing an
animal was a testament to the work ethic of the young people of Logan County 4-H. He then noted that the kids
were the true assets of the show, not necessarily the animals. “It’s our kids that matter, “ he said. “The animals
come second.”
As he went through the judging process, he clearly struggled in certain classes to choose the best of the best. At
one point he told the audience, “This is one of the finest set of animals I’ve seen at a county fair in my entire
life.”
The 4-H program is funded by the state of Illinois through the University of Illinois Extension Service. At
various times throughout the last few years, the importance of funding the program has been questioned by Gov.
Pat Quinn and legislators. In Logan County, 4-H is a strong organization with approximately 20 active clubs
and well over 300 kids participating. Whether it is a livestock show or gardening, art, floriculture, technology
or any one of a dozen other special areas, what 4-H brings to kids is a strong work ethic and an appreciation of
what it takes to compete in the world, not just for ribbons and trophies, but for placements in colleges and in the
workforce.
Their 4-H achievements carry weight on college applications as well as job applications, as they demonstrate
not only the work ethic and knowledge but also their ability to be leaders. Stremsterfer is a huge proponent of
4-H and told the audience that everyone should be. He commented: “Make your voice known; it (4-H) is worth
it. We don’t want to see it go away because you didn’t let your voice be known.”
Pictures by Nila Smith
2012 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR. A special editon of LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com July 31, 2012