Youth are a big part of the Kutztown Fair.
Justin Keller, 6, Mertztown, showed his calf at the Kutztown Fair. He likes winning. His favorite part about the fair are the cows. His family has been participating in the fair since his Mom was a girl.
Members of the Swine Club also participate in the fair.
They shared their knowledge of farm life with other kids at the fair at the Farmer for a Day activity area which offered hands-on learning experiences.
‘It shows kids some farm activities on an actual farm,’ said Eric Rabenold, who helps raise more than 200 pigs on his family farm outside Kutztown.
Activities included milking a demo cow, husking corn, using toy tractors, picking apples off the trees, digging for potatoes and collecting eggs.
‘It shows them where some of their food is coming from,’ said Rabenold.
They enjoyed working with the children and seeing their reactions to the activities.
Swine Club advisor Alice Kamp of Shoemakersville said the activities help children who may not have farming experience learn about where the products come from that they eat.
‘I think it’s important for them to know where their food comes from other than just picking it up at the grocery store,’ said Kamp. ‘They can see how milk is produced coming from a cow and going into buckets to be processed.’
For the Swine Club members, they gain community service points. This is also a good opportunity for them to interact with other children and learn communication skills, said Kamp.
‘For them, they know where their food comes from by working with their animals,’ said Kamp. ‘Being able to educate other children, it gives them the satisfaction of being a little more knowledgeable, in some areas, than other kids.’
