Youthful Energy
Ribbon winners Stephen Lowe and Krista Anderson with their fowl at the 2025 Washington County Ag Expo and Fair.
Young agriculturists keep the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair moving forward
By Rebecca Long Chaney
When it comes to the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair, it’s no secret that the event remains successful year after year thanks to community leaders and dedicated volunteers. It truly takes a village to pull off all the activities scheduled daily at the agricultural event.
In addition to folks on the fair board coordinating all parts of the Ag Expo, the Washington County, Maryland 4-H Extension educator, Ashley Travis, organizes 4-H activities. According to Travis, 4-H and participating in the Ag Expo teaches young county residents about responsibility, time management, giving back to others, leadership, building self-esteem, goal setting, problem solving, and decision making.
“The 4-H projects that our youth carry throughout the year, and exhibit at the Ag Expo and Fair are a catalyst for them to learn life skills that will benefit them in their daily lives and allow them to develop into competent and contributing members of society,” says Travis.
Maddy Fitz gives some attention to her goat.
Washington County 4-H has almost 4,000 youth involved annually through community clubs, in school, after school, and camping. “We also have 93 volunteers that are screened, trained, and provide continuing professional development in order to extend the reach of the 4-H program even farther into the communities of Washington County,” she says.
The Ag Expo and Fair plays a huge role for 4-H members. “Animal science 4-H projects are the largest and most popular 4-H project in Washington County 4-H with 83 percent of 4-H youth in Washington County enrolled in agricultural related projects,” Travis says. “Over 100 youth sell their livestock projects annually through the Washington County 4-H Youth Market Sale. However, many youth also carry breeding projects in the areas of dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, and poultry.”
While the fair keeps the 4-H educator busy, it still requires a list of behind-the-scenes professionals, workers, and volunteers to operate a busy fair. Veterinarians must check in livestock, making sure all animals are healthy. Judges for all indoor exhibits and livestock shows must be invited. And the list goes on with helpers who include local feed nutrition representatives, auctioneers, photographers, event sponsors, show organizers, admission workers, and more.
Jenna Hanes with her prize goat Luna.
Not only do 4-H youth develop life-long memories at the fair, they learn life skills. “The Washington County 4-H livestock program allows youth to gain these life skills that will ultimately benefit them in their adult lives as they pursue college, careers, and the workforce,” she says. “4-H’ers use their revenue to buy new project animals for the next year, save for college, etc. That teaches them financial skills at a young age.”
For Joe Frey, Washington County Ag Expo and Fair president, the Ag Expo represents the past, present and future. “The Ag Expo is a way for 4-H and FFA kids to be able to display their animals and projects and to help educate the public,” Frey says. “The county fair is one of the most resourceful events to share the agricultural story.”
Agricultural fairs across the country bring the community together. While many activities have remained the same, the Ag Expo and Fair has introduced new attractions and events over the years as the fair continues to grow and expand. One addition is Kids’ Fest.
This year will mark the fifth Kids’ Fest, hosted on Kids’ Day at the fair. The afternoon fun day was the idea of Rhonda Uzelac, a 4-H mom and volunteer. She’s been working with the kids’ event every year.
“The first year was 2022 with the goal of having something for kids on “Kids’ Day,” along with community involvement,” Uzelac says. “We wanted to spread the word to kids about not only the fair but about agriculture. After many years working as a teacher, I wanted to have an event for them to come and enjoy time at the Ag Expo while having fun and learning at the same time.”
Kid’s Fest is held annually now on Wednesday at the Ag Expo from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. “I think the Ag Expo is bridging the gap between city and farm, not only for the kids but for adults as well,” Uzelac says. “There are a lot of people who really don’t know where their food comes from or what agriculture is all about. Educating the public is one goal we have every year, and one way is starting with the kids.”
Every year, participation in Kids’ Fest grows. Last year 300 kids enjoyed the program along with their parents. “Community vendors set up at Kids’ Fest and each vendor has an activity and handout for the kids,” she says. “We also have included a scavenger hunt throughout the barns to meet with 4-H and FFA exhibitors who are there to talk about their animals.”
According to the Ag Expo’s organizers, 4-H and FFA members often wear many hats—raising livestock, making indoor projects, being spokespeople at the fair, educating the public, and being role models for younger members.
Robbie Nichols lives on a farm in Fairplay and carries several 4-H projects. He enjoys raising ducks, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, dairy goats, and sheep as well as cats. Nichols also enjoys food preservation, hobbies and collections, horticulture, photography, STEM and visual arts.
Alexis Iseminger readies her cows to be shown.
At 15 years old he juggles a lot as a freshman in high school. “My favorite project at the Ag Expo is sheep because no other 4-H’ers really show wool sheep,” he says. “I have rare breed wool sheep—Black Welsh Mountain sheep, Scottish Blackface, and Romeldale/CVM sheep. It gives me the opportunity to teach other 4-H members and the public about them.”
Not only does Nichols enjoy educating others about sheep, but he uses their wool to make projects. “I get to exhibit some of my fiber arts projects in crafts and sewing,” he says. “For the last three years I have been the only participant in the Shepherd’s Lead contest but still enjoy doing it.”
“Over 100 youth sell their livestock projects annually through the Washington County 4-H Youth Market Sale.”
—Ashley Travis
Four-H runs deep in the Nichols’ family with his mother as a former 4-H educator and his two siblings very active until they aged out of the program. “Hanging out with friends that have the same interests and lifestyle as me is fun,” he says. “A lot of my school friends don’t understand all I do with my animals and going to shows. We all work hard but make sure we have fun, too.”
The teenager also enjoys the fair’s market sale. “On Youth Market Sale night, it’s always busy with kids showing their market animals for the last time,” Nichols says. “Selling them is hard sometimes but the paycheck is a nice reward.”
Kelly Shank agrees and sees firsthand how the market sale is both rewarding and tough. “I currently serve as the president of the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair Youth Market Sale,” she says. “During fair week, I act as the primary point of contact and coordinator for the livestock market sale and help ensure everything runs smoothly for exhibitors, buyers, and volunteers.”
While 4-H livestock exhibitors are excited when they get a good price for their market animals, they are also sad to say goodbye to an animal they’ve worked so many hours with during the year.
“The market sale ties together months of preparation, animal care and learning into a single experience that reflects how market livestock works in the real world,” Shank says. “Overtime, this has become more than just an event—it’s a tradition and a legacy within Washington County that connects generations through agriculture, education, and shared support for youth.”
Kristy Jenkins with her granddaughter Evie Wilston checking out the chickens.
A true promoter of the fair is the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair Queen, selected annually at the event. Haley Doyle won the crown last summer. “The first word I said after hearing my name as the winner was “Wow!,” she saidsays. “I was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude.”
Doyle, 16, is active in 4-H, FFA, unified sports and chorus. Her 4-H projects include home arts and breeding rabbits and dairy goats. “I enjoy sharing and talking with the public about my projects and agriculture during the week of the fair,” she says. “Seeing a child’s face light up when they get to pet my rabbit or see a cow up close for the first time is a special experience. I also enjoy seeing other 4-H’ers exhibit their projects and helping younger exhibitors learn and gain experience.”
The Smithsburg youth says the Ag Expo gives 4-H members a chance to educate the public. “I believe that fairs serve as an amazing example of educating the community about agriculture,” she says. “At county fairs, children and adults can learn about the process of raising meat animals, growing produce, and how dairy products are produced. It’s important to know that your food and clothes just don’t magically appear in the store.”
With so many young people involved in agriculture, there’s no doubt the future is looking very bright in Washington County.