The Michigan State Fair and MSU Extension have been partners for several years to give opportunities to youth in the state. That partnership is continuing again this year for the second annual Michigan State Fair 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase.
“Really it’s because we had such great success last year—we had more than 400 youth from 63 counties participate and over 2,000 projects were entered in that State Fair Showcase,” says Jake DeDecker, state 4-H leader. “Because of that overwhelming success, we decided to come back and do it again.”
He recognizes that most county fairs are in-person this year. However, with more than two-thirds of Michigan’s counties participating, that level of participation can’t be ignored.
“That’s the furthest the State Fair has been able to reach across the state, and this is the State Fair—we want to make sure that if youth in all corners of Michigan [can join],” said DeDecker. “If driving is a factor and they can’t make it down there, this is an opportunity for them to still participate as an exhibit of the state fair, to still work on their projects, their learning, their skill, and to showcase it on a major platform that the State Fair provides.”
While this virtual showcase is about accessibility, DeDecker says there’s also an opportunity for students to prepare for their future financially.
“There are thousands of dollars of scholarships the State Fair has made available including a gift of $10,000 for youth to participate in the Michigan 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase,” he says. “Not only is it a virtual opportunity for youth across the state to participate, there’s also a lot of scholarship dollars that they receive that can help support post-secondary education by participating.”
Registration is still open until August 23. To register, click here.
