HASTINGS, Neb. – When carnival rides and food stands lie dormant in the mornings, 4-H programs are the sole heartbeat of county fairs, which do more than just show off animals.

"Anything you would desire to do, you can do in 4-H, it's not all about the animals," said Adams County 4-H Extension Assistant Julie Ochsner. "A lot of people think 4-H is only for kids that live in the country – It's for city kids too."

4-H programs have shows year-round, but county fairs are often thought of as the 'show case' or 'capstone' project of the 4-H season.

Ochsner has been involved with 4-H for decades, but is still impressed by what kids can accomplish each year.

"It always amazes me maybe with a little 8-year-old girl that doesn't weigh a hundred pounds, leading a 1,400 pound steer," said Ochsner. "The animals are so tame, so docile, and you can really see the love and the bond the animal has with the child."

More than 100 youth gathered Thursday in Hastings at the Adams County Fairgrounds to show off their sheep in the morning.

Adams Central 6th grader Wyatt Rathje showed his two sheep, Jeffrey and Chester, for the 4th year and says this year was a personal best for him.

"The first thing I showed was my ram, which I got reserve champion with him," said Rathje. "With my other sheep, I got champion for junior showmanship."

He started doing 4-H and showing sheep because of family influence, like many others do.

"My sisters, they wanted to show sheep, and it looked fun, so I tried it out myself and I enjoyed it." said Rathje.

Wyatt’s cousin Grayson Rojewski and his brothers are racing this weekend at the fair.

Even though the Rojewski's live in Hampton closer to the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Grayson says he appreciates the intimacy of county fairs.

"I kind of like here because it's smaller, it's not as big, so I can have more fun and run around so my mom doesn't have to worry about me." said Rojewski.

Besides livestock showing, 4-H members are bringing their static exhibits, making food, and a whole lot more to county fairs across the state this summer. 

4-H in Nebraska is open to youth ages 5-18, and most county programs allow registration year-round.