Sanborn County residents are invited to participate in the 2018 Sanborn County Open Class Event being held during the 4-H Achievement Days on Aug. 9-11. This is open to anyone residing in Sanborn County, a friend or family member of someone in Sanborn County, or who is a member of a Sanborn County club, organization, etc.  Exhibits should be checked in between 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, at the 4-H Building in Forestburg with judging following.

As in years past, entries judged “Best of Show” in Sanborn County will be taken to the State Fair to be judged in the special “County Best of Show” category.  Best of show honors will be awarded in three divisions (Senior Division – 65 years of age and older, Adult Division and Junior Division – youth 18 years of age and under) for the following categories:  

1. Art, any media

2. Canning: jellies/jams, pickles (one-half pint clear glass jar) 

3. Child’s garment

4. Craft

5. Needlework

6. Quilted wall hanging or pillow, any method

7. Photography 

Exhibitors who wish to show in the Open Class are encouraged to pick up a copy of the 2018 Sanborn County Open Class Handbook at the Extension Office located in the Courthouse.    

Exhibitors are reminded that entries they wish to take to the State Fair must be pre-registered at the State Fair Office by July 31. Exhibits entered in Open Class at Achievement Days do not automatically get entered in the State Fair.  Open Class State Fair Books are available online at www.sdstatefair.com.  

The 4-H Show Lamb Camp was held in Forestburg at the 4-H grounds, June 22-23. 

Thirty-two 4-H members, ages eight to fourteen from eight South Dakota counties attended, including Sanborn, Jerauld, Aurora, Brule, Beadle, Lincoln, Charles Mix, McCook, and even Marion, Kan. 

In 2015, Jerauld County hosted a similar camp, and it was time to bring another one to Sanborn County. The instructor for 2018 was Chad Charmasson, Hennessy, Okla., and his assistant Trey Bates, Texas. 

Charmasson is a former vocational agriculture instructor and has instructed show lamb camps across the United States. The Charmasson family raises club lambs in Hennessy.

The 4-H members who attended the two-day camp brought one to two lambs with them for hands-on training, which included: fitting, clipping and showmanship. 

“Having the one-on-one instruction was huge,” Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor said. “This was a family atmosphere camp. Youth were required to bring one parent with them so moms and dads learned right along with the kids.”

Each child received a camp T-shirt as well as Weaver Livestock products to help them prep their lamb projects. Meals were sponsored by Thrivent with water donated by Santel Communications. Thank you to the moms and grandmothers who helped with preparing a meal and making delicious snacks.

The event was held a month in advance of area Achievement Days and the South Dakota State Fair, providing youth with a great opportunity to practice and hone their skills before they need to appear in the show ring. 

“The one thing I can’t stress enough is, keep learning! Become a lifelong learner and mastery will find you,” said Scheel. 

“Any project in 4-H allows for youth to dig deeper and become more involved in the process.”

To learn more about how your youth can become involved in 4-H, visit iGrow.org or contact Scheel at audra.scheel@sdstate.edu.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal.