While many people go to the Kosciusko County Fair enjoy the food, games and rides, it’s the 4-H aspect that is the nerve center of the county fair.
Kids and adults buzz around the fairgrounds showing projects and doing demonstrations.
Thursday afternoon, Heidi Wise showed some of her skills at the Art of Blacksmithing exhibit.
It’s a family affair as her brother Jake Wise is the group leader for blacksmithing, and father Doug Wise also helps the 30 kids who are involved in the project.
Kosciusko County is one of only three counties in the state that offers blacksmithing.
Doug Wise said they are working to make blacksmithing a project at the state fair.
Right now, kids who exhibit their 4-H projects for blacksmithing at the county fair don’t have the chance to take them to Indianapolis.
While Heidi Wise worked on a cross Thursday afternoon, she had the attention of Charlie Doss, 9, and Kelsey Doss, 11.
The brother and sister are currently in 4-H and are interested in joining blacksmithing.
Doug Wise said blacksmithing isn’t just for boys, and in fact the number of kids in the group is about 50/50 boys and girls.
“I think it’s neat she can create stuff,” said Kelsey Doss.
Heidi said she would work on her project for about two hours. But who she learned from, Fred Oden, could complete it in 20 minutes.
A big part of 4-H is the paying-forward aspect for mentors.
“The only reason we can do this is because someone did it for us,” said Doug Wise.
For blacksmithing, much like other projects through 4-H, the lessons learned are guided to help children in real life.
Even the blacksmithing projects are geared toward things that can be used in everyday life like door knockers or coat hangers.
It also teaches initiative.
“We can’t teach the kids every single aspect,” said Doug Wise. “So it’s nice to see them go out and take initiative to learn more if they are interested.”
While 4-H does a lot for children, it isn’t done without funding.
At Thursday night’s Kosciusko County Council meeting, Tammy Wise and Anne Truitt-Petre appeared to give their presentation for funding from the county.
They said 750 kids are in 4-H, which is up from last year.
They’ve initiated three new projects.
While 4-H does its own fundraising, it still relies on county funds to operate.
Their request is up $6,000 from last year because of an increase from the fair board, according to Wise and Petre.
