New Fair Board Member Wants 4-H To Grow

Karli McGowan was appointed to the Roosevelt County Fair Board last week, and one of her goals is making 4-H more popular on the western side of the county.

“I knew that we needed representation from the western end of the county,” McGowan said of her decision to volunteer on the fair board.

Growing up in the area, McGowan was involved in 4-H starting at the age of 3 until graduating from high school in 2003. She then helped with horse judging and other areas.

As a student during fair time, McGowan was active in a variety of events including horses, steers, pigs, cats, dogs and sewing.

With two young daughters as members of the Fort Peck 4-H Club, McGowan felt it was important for her to take on the fair board role. In addition, she is a co-leader for the 4-H club.

“4-H teaches good life skills,” McGowan said. “It’s not just animals.”

She noted 4-H develops skills in many other areas including cooking, sewing and photography.

“It’s a good community service aspect, which we need,” she added.

According to the national 4-H website, youth involved in 4-H are two times more likely to have the goal of being a leader, three times more likely to participate in community service and two times more likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose.

If people are interested in joining 4-H, she encourages them to contact her. In addition, she plans to reach out to people with 4-H experience who now have children in the area.

“There are so many things you can do in 4-H,” McGowan stressed.