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Amazing Agriculture: The Washington County Ag Expo & Fair
Celebrate the Area’s Farming Heritage Through Animal Exhibits, Exciting Entertainment and Homemade Goodies at the Washington County Ag Expo & Fair.

by Breanne Hiser + photos by Matthew Prince

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Going once, going twice sold! Auctioneer Kevin Martin quickly exclaims as hundreds of anxious buyers swarm the main auction ring during the sale of market goats at the 2007 Washington County Ag Expo & Fair. Young 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members are dressed to impress, proudly walking their winning animals around the show ring as Kevin shouts out the buyer’s bids at an amazing speed. After the winning bid has been declared, a round of applause goes up and the new owner’s picture is taken with his prized livestock and the newly crowned Ag Expo Queen.

The 4-H/FFA Market Animal Auction is the culminating event of the fair. All year exhibitors have prepared themselves and their livestock for this paramount event. It is during this auction when the exhibitors have the chance to earn large sums of money and are rewarded for their year-long commitment to perfecting what they hope will be blue ribbon livestock. In addition to showcasing the hard work of these youngsters, The Washington County Ag\ Expo & Fair remains one of the most anticipated summer events in Washington County. A celebration of our agricultural heritage, culture and community, this annual event unites agriculture, industry, education and recreation to showcase the resources and accomplishments of the Washington County agricultural area.

Demonstrating Dedication
Preparation for the pivotal Market Animal Auction is a year-long task emphasizes Beth Bubacz, the 4-H Youth Development Coordinator for Washington County. 4-H and FFA members select the livestock they will be showcasing months in advance. After their entries have been chosen, 4-H participants are required to maintain a record book of animal costs, hardships and obstacles of maintaining a farm animal, and the experience of working with their animal. “This activity teaches them responsibility and organization,” Beth explains. It also enables them to reflect on their growth and recall what solutions worked best when encountering problems. When fair week arrives, exhibitors keep their livestock on the fairgrounds for the duration of the week-long event. Participants groom and clean their animals nearly twice a day, ensuring they are in perfect condition when the time comes to walk the show ring. It is also their responsibility to thoroughly clean their animal pens — which alone is a full-time task — along with feeding them daily.

Exhibitors demonstrate a deep commitment to their livestock, staying with them around the clock. Some literally will sleep in the animal barn, while others opt to bring a travel trailer to the fairgrounds. Fourteen-year-old Kaitlyn Corbett, a longtime 4-H member, says putting her farm animals up for auction is the hardest part of the event. “I raised them [her livestock] and took care of them since they were babies,” Kaitlyn says. “I cried when they were sold.” She points out that even though it is sad to sell your animals, the acknowledgment of and rewards for your hard work are major benefits. Kaitlyn entered more than five categories in the 2007 fair and proved to be triumphant. She earned the 4-H baked goods grand champion award for her carrot cake, grand champion for her dairy steer named Andy, grand champion for her Suffolk ewe, reserve champion rolls, and reserve champion for her no-bake cookies. “It was a busy year!” she exclaims. In spite of all the hard work, Kaitlyn excitedly admits the fair is an awesome event for teens involved with the 4-H and FFA programs. “It lets us hang out with our friends all week long!”

From Farming Roots to Rocketry
Each year hundreds of participants in Washington County’s 4-H and FFA programs enter their exhibits into the Ag Expo & Fair. And though 4-H has agricultural roots, the organization encompasses a vast array of activities including rocketry, computers and education on farm animals. “4-H is a community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills,” says Beth. In 2007 there were 188 4-H exhibitors displaying a whopping 2,612 exhibits. In the open-class category — meaning anyone can enter an exhibit, without being a member of 4-H or FFA — there were 413 exhibitors presenting 3,000 entries. An exhibitor has the ability to enter into as many categories as they choose including livestock exhibits — ranging from dairy cows, poultry and sheep to rabbits cats and dogs — computer sciences, electricity and home arts.

The food preparation category is one of the most popular departments after the livestock category. At least half of the baked goods exhibited will be sold at the 4-H Champion Bake/Cake Auction. The 4-H Cake Auction features hundreds of homemade award-winning baked goods including cakes, pies, cookies, breads and candy. Beth explains the cake auction is the largest 4-H fund-raising event of the year: In 2007 the auction raised more than $4,000, and Kaitlyn’s grand champion carrot cake sold for an astonishing $350. All proceeds are used by the 4-H Youth Development Program to provide outreach in the community with programs, volunteer development, support trainings and trips for youth and volunteers.

Education and Entertainment
Exhibitors no doubt learn a lot preparing for the show, and the fair serves as an educational event for attendees as well. About 13 years ago the expo began featuring an Ag-Ventures and Birthing Center activity area, which allows children to witness the actual birth of a farm animal. A pig and her four piglets and a brown Swiss cow and her calf were the stars of 2007’s exhibit. Through this daily activity area, children have the ability to participate in hands-on activities such as learning how to milk a cow, how eggs are hatched and anatomy lessons such as “What’s Inside a Cow?” Such exhibits help children learn where their food actually comes from. “Children think their food comes from the grocery store,” says Tom Shaw, vice president of the Washington County Agricultural Organization, Inc. “We show them were it really comes from.”

In addition to showcasing the work done locally in agriculture, cooking, science and art, the fair offers a multitude of entertainment opportunities. Younger children can compete in the Barnyard Olympics or the Pedal Tractor Pull, and family members of all ages will love this year’s “Mangled Metal” Demolition Derby and Vaters Motor Sport Thrill Show. The full slate of activities includes bull riding shows, rodeos, karaoke contests, carnival rides and a classic car show. And Friday night will see a new Ag Expo Queen crowned. The 2007 Ag Expo Queen was 17-year-old Kerri Nicely, who took over the responsibilities to promote business openings, ride in the Mummer’s Parade and promote agriculture in the Tri-State area. Be sure to save some energy to do some dancing. Past live musical performances have included Tori Anderson & Possum Holler — who have opened for national country acts such as Rascal Flatts, Lee Ann Womac and Brooks & Dunn.

Heart of Agriculture
It has taken more than 150 years for the Expo and Fair to grow to incorporate such a vast array of events, categories, educational and livestock exhibits and become the agricultural resource it is today. Being held in three different locations over the decades, the event currently is held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Complex in Boonsboro. This 55-acre plot of land is the perfect location for the expo and fair: centered in the heart of rural Washington County, surrounded by farmland and pastures that provide a picturesque view of Washington County’s farming heritage. The Washington County Ag Expo & Fair has continued to provide the community with a wholesome family event displaying our rich agricultural roots. Tom Shaw stresses the importance of keeping Washington County farmlands thriving so we are able to keep this local tradition a mainstay in the community. “It is very important to keep developing our farmlands. Our county was founded on agriculture. We should want to keep it that way.”

Washington County Ag Expo & Fair
July 17–23, various times
Washington County Agricultural Education Complex
7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro
Admission costs between $2 and $10; children 8 and younger admitted free; seniors admitted free 8 a.m.–5 p.m. July 21.
For a detailed event schedule, visit www.agexpoandfair.org.