County fairs offer no shortage of cookies, cows, and quilts and for some young 4-Hers, their first taste of success comes with a sweet dairy treat.
Beneath one of the biggest irrigation pivots in Nebraska, it’s not corn but confidence that’s growing at Raising Nebraska. You may know the ag exhibit from the Nebraska State Fair but it also hosts the Hall County Fair where 4-H families line up to take part in a culinary contest, the Ice Crea Roll.
“We use the traditional metal coffee cans, the kids read the recipe, measure the ingredients, make the ice cream and then the judge tastes it and they get a ribbon,” said Cami Wells, Extension Educator
Seven-year-old Harper was making ice cream for the first time, while at age 8, her friend Grace is an accomplished goat showman and a veteran ice cream maker.
“Grace is my partner, she’s done this before so I have her so she can help me,” Harper said.
These kids are still learning to read, as they make sense of the recipe. “Wait, what does this say?”
Harper sounds out the words but making sense of teaspoons, tablespoons, cups, and pounds is a little tougher, as Harper and Grace debated how much vanilla to add.
“Should we put the whole bottle in?” Harper asked a grown up.
How much did they consider using?
“A pound,” chuckles judge Jessie Heyen, stifling laughter. What would a pound of vanilla be? “I don’t know,” Heyen said, as Harper and Grace’s parents chortled from the sidelines.
Across the room, next to a virtual John Deere combine, a group of older 4-H’ers was setting a table, explaining nutrition, and answering questions from judges. That’s a different contest but the same idea. Still, the loudest lesson was the one rolling across the floor as kids literally fill a coffee can with ingredients and roll it across the concrete.
Extension educator and mom Cami Wells sees math and science at work.
She said, “There’s definitely a lot of skills being put to use. Kids don’t realize that. They just think it’s fun to make ice cream… and that’s okay too.”
The judges understand, mostly because they used to be these kids. Twin sisters Jessie and Katie Heyen are 22. Not long ago, they were competing in 4-H food events. Katie is back home on the family farm, Jessie is a nurse as they’re helping the next generation of 4-H members.
“You learn so many skills that will help you later in life,” Jessie said.
Finally the moment of truth arrives, as the lid comes off and kids see if it’s soupy or sweet.
“The judge it’s really good!”
Grace had done this before, and Harper hadn’t. By the end, they both could say they’d successfully made ice cream. The judges were only 22. Not long ago, they were the ones crafting new recipes and someday it just might be Grace and Harper’s turn t