BAZETTA — Izamae Biery, 13, was among several dozen pre-teens and teenagers showing their pet goats during Wednesday morning’s Junior Fair Goat Show at the 179th annual Trumbull County Fair.

Juno, Izamae’s goat, was especially feisty, sometimes wanting to turn in directions that she did not intend. However, the young girl is experienced in participating in this showing, and Juno is a muscular and particularly fine-looking animal with strong legs and a straight back.

These are traits that were particularly impressive to judge Macin Hager.

Hager, who has raised goats since he was 7, still works closely with animals as a livestock judge at his home in Millersburg, as well as other areas around the state.

“These kids are wonderful,” Hager said. “They are attentive and you can tell how much they’ve worked closely with their animals. They are showing a good quality of livestock.”

This is the fourth year that Izamae has competed with Juno. She won the grand championship last year.

“My dad was in 4-H when he was young,” she said. “He showed beef cows.”

Her parents wanted their children to have different experiences, so they raised goats.

“It has been an adventure,” Izamae said.

Cortland resident Marlie Lewis, 12, brought her goat, Mario, to the exhibition. Mario had to be repeatedly pulled back against Marlie’s legs and held as the judge walked around examining the animals.

Marcy Lewis, Marlie’s mother, and her husband, excitedly watched as Marlie and Mario were being judged.

“I think 4-H helps to shape children to be stronger and responsible,” Marcy Lewis said. “I believe what I learned in 4-H has helped me in my career.”

Ashlee Meardith, Ohio State University extension educator for 4-H Youth Development, during Wednesday’s commissioners meeting at the fairgrounds, said Trumbull County has 25 traditional 4-H clubs this year, 102 adult volunteers and 574 young people participating in the program.

“Ohio 4-H has a long history that began in 1902, when Mr. Albert Belmont Graham organized the very first 4-H meeting in Clark County,” she said. “4-H began in Trumbull County in 1915.”

It is now in all 50 states and 80 countries around the world. It provides life skills and opportunities to children ages 5 to 18.

“The 2025 4-H national theme ‘beyond ready’ prepares young people not only for their futures, but also to be leaders, mentors and change makers,” Meardith said. “The core values of 4-H — responsibility, service, public speaking and goal setting — has helped shape the person I am today.”

She described the organization of not only changing individual lives, but strengthening the very fabric of the community.

Parker Chamber, 18, a camp counselor, described being involved in 4-H for just over six years. During the first two years, he participated in the camp programs as a camper. By the third year, Chamber decided to provide other young people the joy he felt when he first arrived.

“This year, I’ve seen some of the kids I’ve worked with saying they want to be counselors,” he said.