Carroll County Energy Supports 4-H at the Carroll County Fair

Carroll County Energy (CCE) again had the pleasure of participating in the Carroll County Fair 4-H auction July 22-23, 2016, purchasing 19 animals and supporting local organizations.

CCE donated all meat from the purchased 4-H livestock to local neighbor organizations like the Carroll Hills School (for the developmentally challenged), The Golden Age Home (for senior citizens) and the Hunters and Farmers for the Hungry (a local food bank). The school and the seniors’ home are just down the road from the plant and the food bank is in the nearby Village of Carrollton.

The 19 animals ranged from small animals such as rabbits and ducks to large animals such as hogs and steers. CCE made a donation benefitting the 4-H children, the 4-H organization itself, the Carroll County Fair and local organizations.

4-H is a nationwide community that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Members complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4 H in every county and parish in the country—through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps.

Members of 4-H are likely to be in families whose generations belonged before them. That is the case with Junior Fair Coordinator Ray Rummell. He and his wife Rhonda work hand-in-hand to make sure the 4-H auction is a success every year. 4-H to him, as with everyone participating from the community, is about the children because, as Ray says, the children are our future. This year, more than 400 children participated in fair projects, including raising animals. The youth who participate in 4-H are taught to care for their animals in every aspect. This includes feeding, cleaning cages, bathing animals and providing proper medical attention.

4-H animals range from poultry to steers. Children with rabbits have to clean their cages daily and water and feed the rabbits twice a day. A child who has a steer has all of the responsibilities that are required for a larger animal. Members gain responsibility as they care for living things. Their experience also teaches them the reality that farm animals are raised for food and are not pets, which is a difficult but necessary lesson to be learned by farm children who have cared for their animals most of the year.

Ray and his wife met in 4-H when they were camp counselors. Their own children were in 4-H for the better part of 40 years, which underscores their view on the importance of 4-H in this community. Ray is a retired USDA inspector and comes from a farming family, so he truly understands the dedication it takes for each child to be successful and take pride in what they’re doing.

“The best part about the whole thing is the children being happy and proud of themselves,” Ray said.

Carroll County Energy’s strongly supports the 4-H organization’s goal of helping develop the children and do the very best by the children that can possibly be achieved. CCE loves helping the children who worked hard all year to show and bring their animals to the Fair (see the photo of some of the children's notes above) and we are humbled when the children and their parents came to thank us, sometimes tearfully, for supporting them.