Bethany Arrington said that this is her first year as a "real" 4-H'er at the Howard County Fair.

Although the Sykesville 9-year-old joined 4-H four years ago, this is the first time she is showing animals, which include a pig, two French lop rabbits and a dog.

Already, she has seen the fruit of her labors.

"I got third place for showmanship and obedience this morning," Bethany said Aug. 2, the opening day of the fair, for the work with her dog.

Beyond the reward of preparing for and then showing her animals, she also has a bank account set up. After the pig she is showing this year goes to market and she gets the money for the sale of the animal, she plans to invest in her next 4-H endeavor.

"If a get a lot of money for my pig, I'll buy another rabbit," Bethany said.

She plans to add to her 4-H bank account year by year and has earmarked the money for college tuition.

"She already has a college picked out -- North Carolina," her mother, Anne Arrington said.

A difficult parting

Bethany is one of 140 4-H'ers ranging in age from 5 to 18 from Howard County showing their animals at this year's fair.

The animals run the gamut from fancy and egg production poultry to goats, horses, pigs, and dairy and beef cattle, and the 4-H'ers will be showing them throughout the week at events throughout each day.

The animals are scored according to certain standards such as weight and the winners are announced during the events throughout the week.

Some of the 4-H'ers breed their animals and then tend to those animals for the duration of their lives, while others market their animals, said Sheryl Burdette, a Howard County Cooperative Extension educator.

It's understandable, however, that either way there is an emotional connection for 4-H'ers to their animals; Bethany has tended her pig since April, and her dog and rabbits for an entire year.

"I didn't know that I had to (give) them baths, change their litter and clip nails. It's good now, but not the funnest thing." Bethany said.

When it's time for the animal to go to market, it can be a difficult parting.

"I'm sad. I know I'm going to cry a lot," Bethany said.

Her pig will go to market and be butchered on Aug. 8 and then sold with other fair animals at the livestock sale at the fair.

Anne Arrington said her daughter is realistic about the situation.

" 'It's the circle of life, Mom' she tells me," said Arrington.

Bethany stands to make $2 to $3 dollars a pound for the sale of her pig.

'Party with your friends'

Business aside, fair week has its own benefits, she said.

"I really like hanging out with friends (at the fair). I like the rides and working in the petting barn, (where I) pick up the chicks so other kids can pet them," Bethany said.

Fellow 4-H'er Taylor Rhodes, 14, of Columbia, agrees: "There are so many of my friends (here) -- the fair is the best part," she said.

Delaney Hartson, also 14, of Columbia, who is in her second year and showing horses, said that she enjoys the camaraderie.

"We sleep in the sheep barn," Delaney said.

"It's like a party with your friends," Taylor added.

Taylor, who is in her third year of 4-H, is carrying 15 projects -- including a horse that she has had for two years, a sheep, a pig, four chickens and three ducks -- enjoys competing. Her interest in animals isn't limited to 4-H. She keeps cats, dogs, parakeets, hamsters and a lizard as house pets.

She said disappointment comes when your animal doesn't win or has a complication.

"Pigs almost (never) make weight. Once you make that but still lose, it's sad." Taylor said.

Delaney had her own personal hardship while preparing for the fair. She said she offered up her allowance to help defray 4-H costs mostly paid for by her parents.

"I don't think somebody can do it alone," Burdette said. "It's sort of a family deal."

The cost might be high, but the benefits are great, said Meredith Myers, Howard County Cooperative Extension assistant. 4-H'ers learn life skills like decision-making, communication and creative thinking, Myers said.

"4-H'ers are encouraged to do as much as they can.

And she says the "doing" seems to be easier for older children.

"They are able to see the rewards of both ends."

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