Elephant ears, carnival rides and farm animals ... Summer is county fair time in Michigan! Today's county fairs have agriculture projects and much, much more. Fairs are used as a place for farm families to showcase their finest, but are also full of non-traditional exhibits such as web page design, research projects and creative writing exhibits.

Many fairgoers enjoy attending 4-H exhibits and auctions. 4-H is the youth education branch of the Cooperative Extension Service, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most 4-H programs are for youth between the ages of five and 19, but there are programs for college students and adults, too. You've probably heard of 4-H, but do you know what the four H's stand for? Head, Heart, Hands, and Health - the four values 4-H members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Although 4-H is thought of as an "agricultural" program, you don't have to be a farmer to enroll and participate in projects from computers and leadership to livestock and public speaking. The 4-H program enables youth to have fun, create new friends, develop new life skills, build self-confidence, learn responsibility, and achieve goals.

While in the program, youth learn by working on projects alone and in groups, and in the end compete to receive an award at their local fair. Fairs were, and still are, major celebrations, bringing knowledge, friendly competition, entertainment and a sense of community to town in a once-a-year event.

Raising an animal for auction is just one type of 4-H "project." Youth raise many different animals for auction, including cows, sheep, rabbits, pigs and goats. They work hard all year feeding and caring for the animals. At the fair, they have the opportunity to sell their animals and learn firsthand how the marketing process works. It is an educational project that begins with the selection of an animal many months before and continues until the animal is shipped to market.

Michigan has a strong tradition of agriculture with the first Michigan State Fair held in 1848 in Detroit; however, county fairs were in existence long before that. Whether it's food, friends or just a good time you are looking for, Michigan's many fairs offer a safe and fun way to spend a summer day with your family!

For more information about the 4-H program and a list of state organizations, visit www.4husa.org.

For more information about the state and county fairs in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/mda.