The focus of the 4-H Japanese Exchange is to build friendships between youth and families of different cultures and provide both with an educational experience that will better prepare them for life in a global society. The 4-H Japanese Exchange Program partners with two youth organizations, LABO and UTREK to bring Japanese youth to Kentucky for one month between late July and late August. This time period coincides with the summer school vacation in Japan

Kentucky was pleased to host nine youth and one adult chaperone this summer. They had a great time and, while happy to go home, were all sad to leave their new American families! Thank you to all of those families who committed to making our Japanese guests’ home stay a wonderful experience!

Are there potential host families in your community? The major qualification for a host family is enthusiasm and a willingness to open your home and hearts. Families can live in urban or rural communities and have a variety of different interests and backgrounds. You don’t need a large house, or even a separate bedroom to be a host. In fact, it is best if the youth share a room. Host families do not need to plan special activities or incur extra expenses. Host families just need to include their new family member in their regular activities, including family trips and outings, sporting events, and visiting friends and relatives, even errands and chores. Contact Mark Mains at mmains@uky.edu for more information about this rewarding program.

Today is opening day at the Kentucky State Fair. Cloverville is bustling with activity every day through August 26th.

Behind the scenes activities began Monday, Aug 13 when Extension agents, specialists, and 4-H volunteers brought products made by 4-H members across the state to the fairgrounds. Each project was compared to a standard and awarded a ribbon denoting the quality of the work. Now the youth-made products are open to the public. Visit Cloverville from 9am to 10pm. If you are looking for a project made be a specific 4-H’er, check the county notebooks located on central tables.

Don’t miss any of the 4-H events going on in other locations at the fairgrounds. Take a closer look at what’s happening in the animal barns and show rings. Raising an animal is a lot of responsibility. Grooming an animal for show is an art. Learning to show an animal takes a lot of practice, patience, and a measure of intuition. The kids you see out in the ring have spent months preparing for this moment. While you’re in the barns, talk to the kids to find out what it’s like to raise an animal and show it at the fair.

Daily Happenings

Thursday, August 16
Visit Cloverville for “4-H All Around Kentucky Day.”
Lots of 4-H’ers learned to cure country hams; their competition begins at 8:30am in Cloverville; awards at 4pm
Watch kids test their skills in the 4-H Bike Safety Rodeo at 1pm at the National Guard Armory.
See the 4-H/FFA Youth Dairy Cattle Show beginning at 9am in Broadbent Arena, followed by the Dairy Judging Contest at 1pm.
The 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest begins at 4:00pm in Broadbent Arena.

Friday, August 17
Visit Cloverville to learn about Kentucky’s four 4-H Camps.
Check out the Rabbit Show; judging begins at 12:30pm in the Pavilion.
Watch kids compete in Poultry Judging and Avian Bowl in Cloverville at 8:30am and 12:30pm; Awards at 3pm.
Land-Judging starts at 10am; awards in Cloverville at 4:30pm.
The 4-H/FFA Youth Dairy Cattle Show starts at 9am in Broadbent Arena.
The tobacco grading contest begins at 1pm in West Hall; Awards at 4:30pm in Cloverville.

Saturday, August 18
Help us focus the spotlight on 4-H members whose parents are serving in the military.
Let 4-H’ers entertain you at 2pm in Cloverville.
Watch as members compete in the 4-H Horticulture contestat 10am in Clovervlle; Awards at 4pm.
The 4-H/FFA Youth Market Goat Skill-a-thon begins at 11:30am in Newmarket Hall
At 5pm, 4-H’ers will show Market Goats in Broadbent Arena

Sunday, August 19
Enjoy the stage performances by 4-H members live in Cloverville at 10am, 12:30pm and 5pm.

Monday, August 20
Visit Cloverville for “4-H is Living Green Day.”
Learn fun ways to recycle and conserve through working demonstrations from 2pm-6pm.

Tuesday, August 21
Join 4-H in honoring the families of men and women serving in the US Military.
4-H members compete in the Youth Sheep Skill-a-thon in Newmarket Hall beginning at 12:30pm
In the Pavilion, the 4-H/FFA Youth Sheep Showmanship contest starts at 1:30pm and the Sheep Show begins at 7pm.

Wednesday, August 22
Visit “Healthy Living Day” in Cloverville. Also, learn about 4-H International Exchange programs.
The 4-H/FFA Youth Steer Show begins at 8:30am in Broadbent Arena, followed by Steer Showmanship at 4pm. At 12 noon, the Beef Skill-a-thon starts in Newmarket Hall and the Market Lamb Show begins in the Pavilion.
At 2pm, the 4-H/FFA Youth Swine Skill-a-thon will occur in Newmarket Hall. Swine Showmanship competition takes place in the Pavilion at 5pm.

Thursday, August 23
Learn ways to be more active at “Physical Activity Day” in Cloverville.
Watch 4-H’ers compete in the Tractor Driving Contest at 1:30pm near Gate 4.
At 8am, the 4-H/FFA Market Hog Show will begin in the Pavilion.
Over in Broadbent Arena, the Beef Cattle Showmanship starts at 8am, followed by the Beef Cattle Heifer Show at 10am.
The Swine Breeding Gilt Show is set to begin at 1pm in the Pavilion.
Place a bid on the champion animals at the 4-H & FFA Sale of Champions at 5:15pm in Newmarket Hall.

Friday, August 24
It’s “Natural Resources Day” in Cloverville. Check out the bugs and critters.
4-H members who earned bronze, silver and gold honors will be recognized at 2pm in Cloverville.

Saturday, August 25
See what’s happening in 4-H engineering, science and technology projects. Demonstrations begin at 2pm in Cloverville.
Watch the 4-H Sewing Skill-a-thon beginning at 10am in Cloverville.

Sunday, August 26
This is your last chance to see the products made by 4-H members; Cloverville closes at 5pm.