Volunteers build tables for 4-H exhibitors at Eastern Idaho State Fair
Par Kermani
BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Volunteers spent Friday building tables for 4-H exhibitors at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, helping prepare for this year’s event while supporting youth agriculture programs.
Employees with Bingham Ag Services partnered with the Hall Foundation on Friday to build tables that will be used by 4-H exhibitors during the fair. The tables are destined for the poultry barn, where youth participants display their birds throughout the event.
Organizers say the project is an investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders.
“The Eastern Idaho State Fair affects the counties that we serve, and a lot of people come to the Eastern Idaho State Fair,” said Burke Higley, president of Bingham Ag Services. “We just saw an opportunity to help them out and to help out our community and help out the kids that are involved in 4-H.”
Bingham Ag Services worked with the Hall Foundation and fair officials to identify projects that could benefit communities throughout the company’s service area. Higley said the tables were selected because they would directly support youth exhibitors while also allowing employees to participate in a hands-on service project.
Store Manager Ashlei Peterson said supporting 4-H is especially meaningful because of the lessons the program teaches young people.
“I think it teaches kids a lot about responsibility to take care of your animal and to show your animal,” Peterson said. “If you don’t put in the work, then you’re not going to get your ribbon and your prizes. It just teaches them how to be responsible.”
Peterson said Bingham Ag Services regularly works with 4-H families through its farm store and was eager to find another way to support local youth outside of the business.
The Eastern Idaho State Fair is scheduled to run Aug. 29 through Sept. 6 in Blackfoot, bringing together thousands of exhibitors, visitors and agricultural producers from across the region.