After months of blood, sweat and definitely some tears, the 4-H and FFA members of Lawrence County can count this year as a success.

Invariably, each year, some of the young farmers have a difficult time saying goodbye to their fair projects. Girls and boys spend each day raising, training and caring for their animals, and after they display their hard work during the fair, those projects are auctioned off and sent to slaughter. It’s understandable that some would be upset by this.

But, these projects, as made evident by speaking to any one of those children, help build character and a wealth of knowledge that many other young people that age never get to experience.

Living in a predominantly rural county, these children get to learn the value of farming and that farmers such as themselves keep food on the table for families all over the country.

These projects teach the children responsibility, the value of life and taking care of God’s creation.

While many of these 4-Hers may go off to college one day and decide to be doctors, lawyers, teachers or engineers, Lawrence County would be lucky to have any of them farm the land and tend the livestock that people here depend on for food.

Congratulations to each and every 2016 fair participant.