As Lorain County 4-H prepares for its time in the spotlight at the Lorain County Fair, Minnie Taylor wants to use the opportunity to remind people that 4-H is about a lot more than the fair.

Taylor, extension educator for 4-H youth development at the Ohio State University Extension in Carlisle Township, wants to spread the word that 4-H is for everyone — you don’t have to live on a farm or even have a garden.

In fact, the newest of Lorain County 4-H’s 88 chapters is based at Harrison Cultural Community Centre in urban Lorain.

“In that area there’s not a lot of afterschool activities, so they need a central place that they can go to,” Taylor said.

At Harrison they’ve already started a vegetable garden, but 4-H’s offerings aren’t limited to agriculture. There are more than 300 4-H programs, and they range from the traditional to areas like photography, public speaking, creative writing, parliamentary procedures and cake decorating.

4-H also takes science programs into schools, operates a teenage driving program in conjunction with the court system, holds Youth Government Day during which members spend the day in county offices and sends a delegation to Washington, D.C., each year to see the federal government in action.

“It’s really about life skills, making the best with what you have and setting goals for yourself,” Taylor said.

That’s what’s laid out in the 4-H creed, “to become a useful citizen” by training the head, heart, hand and health — the four H’s.

Membership numbers have remained relatively unchanged in recent years, according to Taylor, but she points to the recession as a reason to get involved — 4-H is free.

4-H members participating in the fair have been working on their projects for nearly a year.

“As soon as fair’s over, they take a break, and then they get right back into it” in September or November, Taylor said.

As the fair nears, 4-H members and volunteers are busy with “the logistical, behind-the-scenes type things which the fairgoer doesn’t see,” such as getting judges lined up and coordinating the trophies, plaques and prize money for each show.

Asked what this year’s fair will hold, “hopefully great weather — that’s the number one thing,” Taylor said.

She’s looking forward to the watermelon- and pie-eating contests. The watermelon-eating contest was a big hit in its first year last year.

“We thought that the kids would have a ball, but the adults really got into it,” Taylor said. “We had more adult men want to be a part of that.”

There will also be a walking contest. Fairgoers who get stamps at enough participating booths — which requires them to walk extensively around the fairgrounds —will receive a free bottle of water from 4-H and the Lorain County General Health District.

“(The purpose is) making people walk and think about it,” Taylor said. “We’re trying to teach nutrition and the value of staying healthy and exercise.”

And don’t forget about 4-H once the fair fun winds down, Taylor said. Anyone interested in par-ticipating in 4-H can find a group through their school, church or community center or can contact the OSU Extension at (440) 326-5851.

“We cross denominations and racial lines. There’s something for everyone in the 4-H program,” Taylor said. “There’s a lot of richness in the traditional 4-H program. Being able to care for some-thing else other than yourself, to care for an animal, whether it’s a dog project or a cow or goat. Then there’re other opportunities for kids who don’t have the opportunity or the land to be able to show livestock.”

Taylor has high hopes for that new 4-H chapter in Lorain.

“When we look at the statistics in the paper about the things that kids are getting into, all the ruckus in Lorain with teens, I think structured activities such as the 4-H program offering a variety of opportunities for kids is something that’s very needed now even more than ever,” she said. “If they don’t have anything to do, they’ll find their own.”

Contact Rona Proudfoot at 329-7124 or rproudfoot@chroniclet.com.