ALAMOSA — In an ongoing tradition, the 4-H SLV Fair was held last week at Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista, and it was a success with 291 Total 4-H exhibitors, 200 Indoor 4-H Projects, and 114 Indoor 4-H projects going to the State Fair.

"I believe the theme ‘Celebrating Youth, Our Future in Action’ sums it up for me,” says Larry Brown, CSU Extension Agent for the San Luis Valley. “Watching the more than 250 4-H and FFA exhibitors work and perform at the fair inspires confidence in our youth and for our future. Whether watching them care for and show their animals or looking with amazement at their 189 indoor projects ranging from robotics to veterinary science and from welding to wedding cakes, these youth know the meaning of work, striving for excellence, and learning by doing.

“The livestock exhibitors sold 190 head of beef, swine, lambs, goats, rabbits, and poultry,” Brown continued.  “They also showed breeding stock of all those species, plus dairy goats and horses.

“It amazes me that the 4-H youth I worked with from 1986 to 1995 are now my advisors and bosses, so when I say I am confident in our future because of what I saw at the fair last week, it carries some real context!”

Brown also added, “Our deepest gratitude goes out to all the many, many sponsors of the fair and individual businesses that bought livestock projects. Those folks are tremendous support.”

The SLV Fair concluded with Friday night's banquet, sponsored and served by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union with a lot of help from some 4-H club members.