Brendon Younger is only 11 years old, but he’s already maintaining family tradition. A third-generation 4-H participant, Younger will show his goat and sheep during the 107th annual El Paso County Fair.

The fair starts Saturday at the county fairgrounds in Calhan and ends July 28.Colorado 4-H is celebrating its 102nd year and the county fair offers a chance for its participants to show off their projects.

“Whether it’s a rocket or a cake, or a steer or a hog, this is their time to show what they’ve worked so hard on,” said Jonathan Vrabec, the Colorado State University 4-H Extension Agent for El Paso County. “All the projects will be on display, from robotics to woodworking.”

4-H projects are judged, with top projects advancing to the state fair, Aug. 24-Sept. 3 in Pueblo.

“Being in 4-H is a lot of fun,” said Younger, who lives on the family ranch, established in 1914 east of Monument. “You learn responsibility and make new friends. I love living in our camper at the fair.”

His father, Brad, who was in 4-H for 11 years, said the fair evokes wonderful memories.“Brendon will be the third generation of our family to have animals at the fair,” Brad Younger said. “I was the youngest of five kids that all did 4-H, and that was basically our vacation, when we stayed in a tent or camper the week of the fair.

“Being in 4-H has been extremely valuable for Brendon. It’s teaching him to care for his animals, to fill out records, and to be a public speaker.”

There’s another positive, Brendon said.

“It’s a lot better than just sitting around playing video games like a lot of other kids,” he said.

Lauren Migliaccio is in her fifth and final year of 4-H and said it’s “totally changed my life.” Migliaccio’s family moved from Colorado Springs to Peyton when she was 12.

She’ll be a sophomore at Colorado State this fall, majoring in biomedical sciences.“4-H has been an incredible experience, probably the best of my life,” Migliaccio said. “I started my own business — Lauren’s Lowlines, a cattle company — two years ago. And 4-H led to about $12,000 in college scholarships for me.”

Migliaccio has done 15 4-H projects  and said one of the most exciting involved training and showing her dog. She’s sold some projects — market cattle — at the county fair.

“One of my goals is to get more people in the city involved,” Migliaccio said. “They have no idea what they’re missing. There are all kinds of things that don’t have to do with animals. It’s a program that offers opportunities for everyone. It can uniquely touch everybody’s life.”

Zac Abushaban, a  recent Pine Creek High School graduate, is a nine-year 4-H veteran.

He’s president of the El Paso County 4-H Youth Council, as was his brother Vince.

Brendon Younger, a math whiz, is council treasurer.

“It’s cool to see younger kids step into a leadership role,” Abushaban said. “Learning responsibility and leadership are two of the best things about 4-H.”

El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen, who represents the eastern part of the county, has purchased animals several times at the fair.

“I believe in 4-H. The system is amazing for families,” Lathen said. “It teaches so much discipline and values to kids. And it’s not just about livestock. It’s about science, electronics, learning to run a business.”

Vrabec, the extension agent, will oversee 4-H projects at his 13th El Paso County Fair.

“The 4-H program gives participants a firm foundation of life skill development,” Vrabec said. “It’s about discipline and goal setting, and learning how to overcome adversity.”

There are three age groups in 4-H: juniors (ages 8-10), intermediate (11-13) and seniors (14-18).—Contact Bob Stephens: 636-0276 Twitter @bobgstephensFacebook Gazette Bob Stephens