While many people are headed to the fair this week for food, entertainment and socialization, there is another group of Freeborn County residents who are at the fair doing some hard work.

Many of these people — 4-Hers — have completed hands-on projects in various categories, such as livestock showmanship, vegetable gardening, photography and computer sciences, to name a few, and are showcasing their work this week.

The 4-H program began more than 100 years ago and has since become the nation’s largest youth development organization. The aim of 4-H is to help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy, according to the organization’s website.

There are 4-Hers in every state of the nation — not only in rural communities like Freeborn County, but urban and suburban communities as well.

Congratulations to all of the students who have worked  hard to get to this week and to all those people who support them, including parents and 4-H leaders.

We look forward to seeing what these rising leaders will accomplish in the future.