By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photos

From artwork and photography to rockets, horses and even carefully collected insects, members of Bennington’s Badger Buddies 4-H Club brought a wide range of projects and talents to this year’s Washington County Fair.

The club’s members were represented throughout the fair, displaying projects across numerous categories and participating in contests, shows and volunteer opportunities. Several projects were also selected to advance to the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, which kicked off this past weekend.

For the club’s two leaders, Erin Denker and Janene Huntley, the fair is about far more than the ribbons members bring home.

“Every year our members put all 4 Hs into their projects and efforts: Head, Heart, Hand & Health. The result is an amazing display of their hard work and passion,” Denker said.

Badger Buddies members participate in a broad range of project areas. This year’s entries included photography, home design and restoration, horticulture, foods and nutrition, heritage, sewing, knitting, quilting, rocketry, veterinary science, conservation, forestry, citizenship, leadership, agronomy and STEM.

Members also took part in contests and activities including shooting sports, archery, tractor driving, rocket launches, favorite foods, fashion shows and animal shows.

“If you’ve visited our Badger Buddies booth, you would see a little bit of everything!” Denker said.

Among those displaying their work at the fair were sisters Keira Hambright, 7, and Aleena Hambright, 11, (pictured below) who recently completed their third year with Badger Buddies.

Keira entered artwork, a photograph she took herself and a craft project. Aleena submitted artwork, a babysitting kit she created using skills from her babysitting training and a sewing creation she designed and made.

According to their mother, Natalie Hambright, the projects gave both girls opportunities to explore their interests while developing new skills.

“Each project gave the girls an opportunity to try something new, be creative, learn new skills, and take pride in what they accomplished,” Hambright said.

Both girls were excited to see their work displayed at the fair and proud to earn ribbons, but their mother said the experience itself has become just as meaningful.

“Keira, 7, and Aleena, 11, recently completed their third year in 4-H with the Badger Buddies. Both girls were excited to see their hard work displayed at the Washington County Fair and were proud to earn ribbons for their projects, but the experience and memories they made along the way were the most rewarding part,” she said.

That emphasis on the experience behind each project was echoed by the club’s leaders.

While fairgoers may see a finished project and a ribbon, Huntley said there is often much more work behind each entry than people realize. Nearly every project includes a written component explaining the process and steps involved, and the amount of preparation can range from an hour to several days or weeks, depending on the project.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize how much work each project is,” Huntley said.

Judging also provides members with feedback they can use to improve their work.

“Regardless of the ribbon color their project receives, members receive comments and feedback to help them recognize opportunities for improvement by making the best better,” Denker said.

Several unique projects stood out among the Badger Buddies entries this year.

One member expanded a school project on the element gallium into a presentation and exhibit about gallium and solar energy. The member presented the project at both the county and state levels, as the project was selected at the county level to advance to the State Fair.

Another young member planted a first garden and brought a large bunch of basil and three peppers to the fair. One of the club’s newest Clover Kids (which allows kids ages 5-7 to participate) modeled a creative birthday sash during the fashion show.

An entomology project also caught the attention of both leaders. One young member assembled his first specimen collection, collecting insects, labeling them and completing the accompanying written work.

“One project that really stood out to me was an entomology project that one of our young members assembled,” Huntley said.

Another memorable accomplishment came in the horse arena.

A few years ago, one of the club’s youth members expressed an interest in riding and showing a horse, despite living in town and not owning one. With encouragement from other members and leaders, he eventually had the opportunity to learn and participate.

This year, he competed in his first horse show and earned a purple ribbon.

“It was a great accomplishment that would not have been possible without our 4-H ‘family’,” Denker said.

Huntley said the experience reflected the support system that develops within the club.

“I feel like this is what 4-H is about, helping and encouraging others,” she said.

The Badger Buddies’ involvement at the fair extended beyond entering projects and competing. Members also volunteered in several capacities, including working the pizza stand, assisting with static exhibits and 4-H booths and helping with the awards program and animal shows.

“I think some highlights for our club would be their willingness to help others,” Huntley said.

The club includes members ranging from ages 5 to 18, allowing older youth to help guide younger participants while also developing leadership skills of their own.

The club has also participated in community service projects, including filling backpacks for the community pantry. Denker said older members helped younger members during the project, which itself could later become the subject of a fair entry involving a display and interview with a judge.

For Huntley, many of the skills members gain through 4-H happen naturally as they work on projects, compete and volunteer.

“I think they gain confidence, determination, how to take criticism, and leadership to name a few,” she said.

Even activities such as working the pizza stand (as pictured above) can give members opportunities to practice skills including math, customer service, communication and teamwork.

For Keira and Aleena, their mother said the relationships they have developed through Badger Buddies have become an important part of the experience.

“A big part of what makes 4-H so special for Keira and Aleena is being part of the Badger Buddies. Their club coaches, Janene Huntley and Erin Denker, do a phenomenal job encouraging the kids, making activities fun, and helping them learn along the way,” Hambright said.

As the county fair season comes to a close, several Badger Buddies members are now seeing their projects move on to the Nebraska State Fair.

But whether their projects earned purple, blue or another ribbon color, leaders and families say the lessons extend far beyond the judging table.

“The ribbons are exciting, but it is the experiences, friendships, new skills, and memories that make 4-H something the girls look forward to each year,” Hambright said.

For families considering joining 4-H, both leaders emphasized the wide variety of opportunities available, and that participation is not limited to families who live on farms.

“Come give 4-H a try! There really is something for everyone in 4-H and you do not need to live on a farm to participate and learn some lifelong skills,” Huntley said.