President’s Corner

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Somerset County  4-H Fair a success! It truly took an incredible team of volunteers, staff, 4-H members, and families working together to make the Fair possible. We know there were some challenges that we faced this year, please know we are working on correcting them for next year. 

At our September Association meeting, we had some important conversations about our financial future. Like many organizations, our costs continue to rise while our income has not kept pace. For example, the Fair food tent costs about $15,900, and electricity for our building is approximately $33,000 a year. Our preliminary budget is showing a potential loss for the year.

Our Association plays an important role in maintaining and supporting the facilities that make our Fair and other 4-H activities possible. The Association is responsible for significant ongoing expenses, including building upkeep, utilities, and other operating costs. 

While the County provides some support for the Fair, the majority of the Fair’s overall expenses are funded through the Association. Our fundraisers and other sources of Association income help make these programs and traditions possible.

We love our 4-H Program, our traditions, and the opportunities we provide for our youth. We’re sharing this information because we want to be transparent about the financial responsibility carried by the Association and remind everyone that every bit of support makes a difference.

Our wreath fundraiser is coming up, and we hope you’ll participate, share it with family and friends, or simply help spread the word. And if wreaths aren’t something you need this year, please consider making a monetary donation to the Association instead. Every contribution, large or small, helps us cover the costs of maintaining our facilities, supporting the Fair, and providing opportunities for our youth. 

We are also continuing our Rummage sale and Tricky Tray fundraisers. We are exploring  sponsorships, corporate matching, and other fundraising opportunities.

At the same time, we’re excited about what’s ahead! Our Association youth members are becoming more involved, new events are being planned, and we’re continuing to work toward a strong future for 4-H.

Together, we can keep our Association strong, maintain the facilities and traditions that have been built over the years, and continue providing meaningful opportunities for our youth.

Thank you for supporting our youth, and being part of our 4-H family.

Tina Pirro

Somerset County 4-H Association President