Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Kelsey Gravelle shows a hen named Frego and Abigail Price shows a goose named Sarah to Judge Mary Tryon at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Kelsey Gravelle shows a hen named Frego and Abigail Price shows a goose named Sarah to Judge Mary Tryon at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

4-H ag expo returns this weekend with animal shows, auction

The events take place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28

The Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo, an annual celebration of the work done by the group’s youth in the community, returns to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex this weekend with events from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.

Cassy Rankin, program coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H, said Monday the expo is a celebration of the kids at its center, who have spent as much as a year raising animals and learning about agriculture. She said they’re the future of locally grown food on the Kenai Peninsula.

“This is where they share their passion,” Rankin said. “For agriculture, 4-H and their community.”

Animal shows will be held the first day of the expo, with small animals from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and large animals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A 4-H Round Robin Showmanship competition will close out the evening once the shows are done.

On Saturday, auctions will be held for the animals raised. This year’s expo is part of the Soldotna Progress Days celebrations, so the auction will be held in the afternoon to accommodate the parade and fair. Check-in is at noon and the auction starts at 2 p.m.

Rankin said the event has grown rapidly in recent years. The teens who participate are now taking on some of the responsibilities of organizing, like running Sunday events including the petting zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Ag Olympics from noon to 2 p.m. and the Kid’s Corner Crafts from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A series of Ag workshops will also be held each day in the center conference rooms. On Friday at 2 p.m., the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension will host “All Things Potatoes.” Saturday at 4 p.m. Northern Eagle Markets will host “Syrup Production.” On Sunday, at 2 p.m., Cook Inlet Gardens will host “Pretty Peony Arranging.”

Through the expo and beyond, Rankin said the young agriculturists “learn by doing.” They’re learning as they raise animals, teaching their younger peers and sharing what they learn with the community.

“There’s so many things that are special about when a youth raises an animal,” Rankin said. “They understand agriculture, the circle of life and where food comes from.”

The 4-H participants are raising animals to “industry standard” then seeing those animals to plates in their own community.

For more information, including a schedule of events, find “Kenai Peninsula District 4-H” on Facebook. A horse show traditionally held as part of the ag expo will be held the following weekend, Sunday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

tease
Man arrested for 3 shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery org

Homer’s Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday

Students sing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at Mountain View Elementary in Kenai, Alaska, during a celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View Elementary recognizes Veterans Day

During a celebration of Veterans Day at Mountain View Elementary School on… Continue reading

The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai misses out on grant for proposed Seattle air service

City officials look to reapply next year

The Kenai Peninsula College main entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chiappone and Dunstan to speak at the KPC Showcase

Kenai Peninsula College continues its showcase with two new speakers this week and next

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Voters line up at the polling site at Anchorage City Hall on Nov. 4, 2024. City Hall was one of the designated early voting sites in Alaska’s largest city. It is not a designated site for Election Day voting. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Republicans lose two seats in state House, increasing odds of leadership switch

Rural Alaska precincts had reported few results by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Most Read