How 4-H students prepare for market sales at Eastern Idaho State Fair

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) - From fried foods, fair rides, and lots of local livestock, the Eastern Idaho State Fair could offer a unique experience for everyone. One of these unique experiences is the educational value it offers to kids in the 4-H program.

"I like 4-H because showing sheep and goats, I think, is really fun," Parker Pratt, a 4-H participant of 6 years said.

His younger brother, Connor Pratt, is going to officially join the program next year. But he already has some experience 4-H and raising chickens.

"I like doing 4-H because I like learning about the livestock and stuff," Connor Pratt, a soon-to-be 4-H participant said.

Connor and Parker's sister, Kailee Pratt, has been in the program since she was 8 years old. Ever since her first animal market show, she's loved the program and the many lambs she has raised.

"I like doing 4-H because it gives you all different experiences," Kailee Pratt, a 4-H participant of 10 years, said. "Like we have to go talk to business owners. You have to go talk to like for potential buyers and for add ons and everything. So then we can have buyers for the so and so we can make money and profit off of like what we've done all year. And with breeding all year, it takes a lot."

4-H began in 1902 and it provides educational opportunities for youth related to agriculture, STEM, healthy living, family and consumer sciences, leadership, and civic engagement.

At the Eastern Idaho State Fair, a particular part of the 4-H program is the animal markets, which teach kids about how to raise a farm animal for profit.

"It teaches a lot," Teressa Pratt, the local 4-H leader for 35 years said. "You have to go talk to potential buyers so that gets them out. And to talk to the business people and teaches them about record keeping."

They have to balance hands-on animal care, responsibility and financial management with daily life and schoolwork. Which may be a lot to balance, but the Pratt family is up to the challenge.

"So I play soccer and tennis. And then I'm in dual-enrollment classes like I'm in a bunch of dual-enrollment classes and I'm in FFA. I'm just I'm in a lot. And it's kind of a hard balance. but I like doing it all, so I'm happy to balance it."

If the 4-H participants do a well enough job, they can sell their animals and make a profit. The top 20 in each animal category are the sellers.

If you are interested in seeing these young competitors and their livestock, the schedule is listed right here.

• Wednesday 09/09:
  • 4-H Market Sheep Show
    • Goddard Pavilion - 6 P.M.
  • 4-H Market Rabbit Show
    • Yellow Dairy Show Barn - 9 A.M.
• Thursday 09/10:
  • 4-H Market Swine Show
    • Yellow Dairy Show Barn - 8 A.M.
  • 4-H Market Goat Show
    • Goddard Pavilion - 10 A.M.
  • 4-H Dairy Cattle Show
    • Yellow Dairy Show Barn - 12 P.M.
  • 4-H Sheep Showmanship
    • Goddard Pavilion - 1 P.M.
• Friday 09/11:
  • 4-H Jr. Market Animal Sale
    • Beef Show Barn - 6 P.M.