Livestock exhibitions and a display of projects highlighted the Chester County 4-H Fair, held from Aug. 7 to 12 at the Romano 4-H Center in Honey Brook.

During the animal shows, 4-H members were given an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the handling of beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep.

A Dairy Cattle Show, held on Aug. 11, was judged by Christine Williams. "She is looking at characteristics such as structure and how well the (cow) stands and walks," explained Extension education Toni Stuetz. "These cows are junior animals, so they have never given birth. Senior animals are bovines that have given birth."

"There are six different breeds of cows represented here," Stuetz added. "They show by their breed."

While many people think of dairy cows with black and white or red and white coloring, some dairy cows can be one solid color. "Most people think of them with specks, but (some) are very dark animals," Stuetz noted. "For the kids, it is easier for them to keep (the solid-colored cows) clean than those with a lot of white."

Williams also provided feedback to the competitors. "The kids are told to watch the judge and listen to what the judge says," Stuetz pointed out. "The judge told one of the girls that her cow's hoofs should have been trimmed sooner. It helps it walk better and look better and be healthier."

In the project display area, visitors could view items completed by 4-H members from throughout Chester County such as quilts, woodworking, arts and crafts, clothing and more.

"There are 286 projects, which is (an increase of) about 40 or 50 from last year," said Stuetz, noting that some of the woodworking projects were displayed in the center's hallway because of their size. "It's a good turnout for the kids. We have some new clubs, and we encouraged them to come (to the fair)."

She noted that 4-H clubs have been added through the years in areas such as robotics and STEM, computer coding and veterinary science. "It's so diverse. (Members) of cooking club ... are also on our robotics team," said Stuetz. "It's fun to see the traditional things that support agriculture, which Chester County is so rich in, and other things the kids have found."

For the first time, the Chester County 4-H Teen Council held a Field Day event on Aug. 13. "Our Teen Council is trying to spread the word about 4-H and get the kids to come together to have a social day after all the hard work," Stuetz noted.

During the event, attendees made more than 20 dog toys to donate to the Brandywine Valley SPCA in addition to playing field games.

4-H is the youth development program of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. 4-H membership is open to all boys and girls ages 5 to 18.

"We have 509 4-H club members in Chester County, and we reach another 2,000 (children and youths) through various outreach programs," Stuetz added.

For more information about the clubs, visit http://www.extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/chester/clubs or call Penn State Extension at 610-696-3500. More information about 4-H and photos from the recent 4-H Fair are available at http://www.facebook.com/chestercounty4H and http://www.facebook.com/TheRomano4HCenterofChesterCounty.