JOANNE CLENDINING: From the mountains to the shore, Maryland agriculture is everywhere.

Did you know the Maryland State Fair is over a century old?

That the fair's history is rooted with 4-H?

And that there's a hall here fit for bovine royalty?

Don't go anywhere, stories about the people who work the land and feed our state are coming up next on "Maryland Farm and Harvest."

NARRATOR: Major funding for "Maryland Farm and Harvest" is made possible in part by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, investing in smarter farming to support safe and affordable food, feed and fuel, and a healthy Bay.

Additional funding provided by Maryland's Best.

Good for you.

Good for Maryland.

MARBIDCO, helping to sustain food and fiber enterprise for future generations.

A grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program, Farm Credit, lending support to agriculture and rural America.

The Maryland Soybean Board and Soybean Checkoff Program.

Progress powered by farmers.

The Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts.

The Maryland Farm Bureau Incorporated.

The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment.

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, promoting the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

And by Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.

(theme music playing).

(bird chirping).

JOANNE: If there's one event that celebrates Maryland agriculture more than any other, it's the Maryland State Fair.

Hi, I'm Joanne Clendining, welcome to "Maryland Farm and Harvest."

This week we're in Timonium at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, where for 12 days in late August you can experience everything from horse racing to quilt making, carnival rides, and midway fun.

But rooted firmly in its history are the exhibits that showcase Maryland's farm life, which of course is why we're here.

And if you've been following along this season, you may have noticed we featured several young farmers competing in 4-H livestock competitions at their county fairs.

Well now they've all come here to strut their stuff on the world stage, well state stage.

Coming up the competition is heating up in the Showmanship category.

But first, let's reacquaint ourselves with our 4-H competitors and see what it takes to make it from the farm to the fair.

(tractor engine).

They've come from every corner of the state.

After a year of hard work, dedication, and resilience, these young people have earned the opportunity to enter the ultimate test of 4-H competition.

CHARLOTTE SMITHSON: So I'm very happy with how I did at Harford.

MAN: Alright, woo.

JOANNE: But there's still a lot of work to do.

MABEL SMITHSON: So the judge gave us some tips to work on at home.

So we have a month to work on that for state fair.

JOANNE: For the Smithson sisters of Pond View Farm, the road to the state fair started at the Harford County Farm Fair where Bella, Mabel, and Charlotte brought home 24 awards.

CHARLOTTE: I got Reserve Champion Steer and my older sister Bella got Champion Bred and Owned Heifer.

JOANNE: And in the Swine Judging Arena.

Caleb Chamelin is preparing his prize show hog, who's already helped him win multiple ribbons.

You, I hear are a pretty big deal.

CALEB CHAMELIN: Um, I've had a lot of success.

This is probably one of the best years I've had.

Um, we've been champions at every show, um we were fourth overall at the national show this year out in Illinois.

JOANNE: Wow.

CALEB: And then I was Grand Overall at our county fair, which was a really big, uh, success for us.

So, and I've used him at every single show.

JOANNE: Okay.

CALEB: So we're hoping this will be his last hoorah and hopefully we'll have more success this weekend.

JOANNE: For Caleb the journey to compete here started months ago at the Carroll County 4-H Fair and culminated in him being named the Champion of Champions.

(audience cheering).

CALEB: 24 hours a day, all every day a week kind of thing for most of my life.

And it's kind of one that just kind of hadn't happened yet, so it's just a huge sigh relief for me.

JOANNE: Now with the support of his family, Caleb brings his hogs and his game to the big ring along with the competitive fire that sparked his county win.

CALEB: You know, I gave up sports so I could show pigs, this is my sport, and I have a really big drive to win.

JOANNE: And then there are siblings, Brennan, Stephen, and Lydia King from Church Hill, Maryland.

They're getting their lambs ready for the big show.

Their path to the state fair started on the Eastern Shore at the Queen Anne's County Fair, where they were pitted against each other in the final Sweepstakes Competition.

ANNOUNCER: Congratulations Stephen King, he's our Sweepstakes Winner.

JOANNE: Now, fresh off a win at the county fair Stephen and the rest of the King kids hope to repeat their success here at the Maryland State Fair.

So you guys all ended up competing with each other in Queen Anne's County, right?

BRENNAN KING: Right.

JOANNE: So is that gonna happen again, this, today, maybe?

STEPHEN KING: Certainly a, a possibility.

Um, we'll have to see how we do in our individual classes, and uh, hopefully, we'll do well enough where we'll get out in Grand Drive and, uh, hopefully maybe compete against each other, a good possibility.

(pig grunting).

JOANNE: What's that saying?

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice.

The same could be said about getting here.

So while these 4-H kids run through their daily routines of feeding, mucking, washing, brushing, blowing, combing, and flocking, I thought I'd step out and hit the midway.

The state fair is an American institution, a celebration of our agricultural heritage, and a playground for old and young alike.

I think I can take it.

Whether you come for the food, carnival rides... Nope.

...or the competition.

(gunshot) PARTICIPANT: Oh, there we go.

JOANNE: Which reminds me...

It's the 11th hour and our 4-Hers scramble to finish prepping their animals and themselves.

Over at the Cow Palace, the Smithson girls are set to go... except they seem to be missing one important item.

A judge.

So Charlotte, I went to the ring to see the Sportsmanship Competition that you're in and there's nobody there, what's going on?

CHARLOTTE: Uh, so today we're doing Showmanship and we were supposed to start at 12, but the judge missed his flight yesterday, so we're having a little bit of a detour.

JOANNE: So how does that, obviously that's a little wrench... CHARLOTTE: Yeah.

JOANNE: But how does that work for you?

Is that a good thing?

Is that, does it make you more nervous?

CHARLOTTE: Personally, I think it's a little bit of a pro 'cause I get to chill more.

JOANNE: Oh well that's good.

CHARLOTTE: Yeah.

JOANNE: For the Smithsons no judge is no problem.

But for our other 4-Hers, the show must go on.

In the lamb showmanship category, Lydia King is back to defend her title as the reigning Overall Grand Champion.

So, Lydia, you are the returning Grand Champion of the whole thing, you won, right?

LYDIA KING: Yeah.

JOANNE: So how did, well first of all give it up, how does that work now today?

Like you don't have to do all of this, right?

LYDIA: No, so I don't go through the classes or anything, um, what happens is I, at the end of like, after they pick the Grand Champion Showman, I go out and I compete against the current Grand Champion Showman, and then the past year's winners.

JOANNE: Awesome, well good luck out there today.

LYDIA: Thank you.

JOANNE: And as the hog showmanship competitors enter the ring, Caleb Chamelin is poised to repeat his win at the Carroll County Fair.

CALEB: My first class is about as competitive as it gets around here, I mean it's really deep.

But we've had a really good year, the pig and I together this year, so hopefully it works out for us.

JOANNE: At this level, competition is as tough as it gets.

JUDGE: Just try to keep your offhand off his back, okay?

JOANNE: And it's anyone's game to win or lose.

The thing that stands out among livestock 4-Hers is their dedication to the care of their animals.

Stay tuned for more livestock competition.

And did you know 4-H livestock judging started in the early 1900's at the annual International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.

♪ ♪ All right, it's time to put your agricultural thinking cap on, here is our thingamajig for the week.

Do you think you know what it is?

No, it's not a candle snuffer, here's a hint, this sweet tool would've come in handy at any fair's midway.

Stay tuned and we'll have the answer at the end of the show.

4-H competitions were created in part to bolster a young person's self-esteem and nothing exudes confidence like winning a blue ribbon.

Here are a few viewer picks of those blue ribbon winners.

Enjoy.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ JOANNE: Okay, now we're gonna head to the show ring where the cattle, hog, and lamb Showmanship Competition are taking center stage.

(tractor engine).

And we've got big news in the Cow Palace, the judge is in the building.

SHANE SMITHSON: They just announced it, show will start at 3:00 P.M.

Okay, you gotta go.

JOANNE: This first round of competition isn't going as planned for Brennan and Stephen King.

Now you guys have a chance to go back out again, right, and compete again, is that what I understand?

STEPHEN: Yeah, so, uh, we'll go back out for Senior Champion Showman and they'll pick a Grand and Reserve Champion Showman.

JOANNE: Okay.

So did the judge give you notes, we know we got you some notes on you, right?

So did you get any notes?

STEPHEN: Uh, yeah, he uh, told me at times I my lamb out of line.

Um, so, uh, some things to work on uh, going into the Grand Drive.

JOANNE: Alright, we're gonna be rooting for both of you.

BOT: Okay, thank you.

(laughs).

JOANNE: The King boys are down but not out.

There's still a chance for them to meet Lydia in the final round.

Meanwhile, in the Swine Arena, Caleb Chamelin falls back on the training that got him here.

CALEB: Beforehand you have to get your mind in the right setting, really focus.

Look at the judge, make sure you know, you're staring him right in the eye, and stare a hole right through the middle of their head.

Lock on him and make yourself look known in that ring.

JOANNE: His success at the county level has him favored, but will that intensity lead to another championship?

Back in the Cow Palace with a judge in hand?

Alright, let's go.

Now it's time for some reconnaissance.

The senior 4-H division is first in the ring, allowing the next contestants a glimpse into the judge's preferences.

So you get a little bit of an advantage by not being first.

CHARLOTTE: Yeah, that's what it is.

Because once the judge places the people, he will tell you the reasons.

Then we know what to do to impress him.

JUDGE: Thank you very much and, and look forward to the rest of the classes today.

JOANNE: So what do you take from that?

CHARLOTTE: That he, the judge likes it when you are in control of your cattle.

He likes it when you use the whole ring and he wants you to show your cattle to the maximum, which is good, it's helpful-ish.

JOANNE: Just how helpful the Smithsons will soon find out.

They're up next.

SHANE: Alright Bella, get her done.

JACKIE SMITHSON: Go Bella.

JOANNE: The competition is as fierce in the swine Showmanship as Caleb predicted and the judge is starting to make his first cuts.

JUDGE: Alright buddy, you want to put yours in just being a little more control, his fast pace sent you, good job.

Alright, you wanna put yours in just a little smoother on the turns, okay?

JOANNE: With things ramping up, Caleb makes his move.

JUDGE: You wanna put yours in next.

Just a little bit close, try to stay out of the crowd.

JOANNE: It's a disappointing day for Caleb, but this isn't the end.

CALEB: It didn't work out well for us, but I'm kind of gonna stay with what I've got and keep rolling with that and maybe tweak some things, put all my focus towards this show and, and hopefully come back as strong as ever, the following year.

JOANNE: Over in the lamb ring, Stephen and Brennan showed well and each managed to second place in their respective class.

BRENNAN: It's just kind of like a judge's like preference, um, and it's hard to know, um, what the judge's preference are, like being the first one out in the ring, you know, not being able to listen, but you know, I'm happy for what I did, so, yep.

JOANNE: As you absolutely should be, you've had an amazing run.

BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

JOANNE: So I don't know, how are you guys feeling?

STEPHEN: Uh, happy with how I did, um, I mean I had fun.

It's uh, nice to get out there and show and compete against other people.

Um, so yes, happy with the second place.

KENNY KING: Alright, Lydia, you ready?

JOANNE: Now it's up to Lydia to defend her title.

Back in the cow ring.

SHANE: That's it, right there Bella.

JOANNE: The Smithson sisters are finding the judge a tough nut to crack.

Charlotte is up next.

CHARLOTTE: Yeah.

JOANNE: So how are you feeling?

CHARLOTTE: I'm a little nervous, to be honest.

There's a lot of good showmen in my class.

JOANNE: And a lot of loved ones.

SHANE: Make sure you leave yourself space.

JOANNE: Like Shane Smithson watching his daughter's every move.

SHANE: That's it, right there, Bella.

JOANNE: It's like having two judges in the ring.

How do you feel like she's doing?

SHANE: See it, it gets all so subtle if you ask me right now, Charlotte heifer's crooked.

It's not good, but if it was easy everybody would do it, but there's just some tough kids out here too, man.

JOANNE: Huh.

And also one tough judge.

SHANE: Ai, yai, yai, yai, yai, yai, yai.

JOANNE: Bella, Charlotte, and Mabel bring home some ribbons but not the grand prize.

JUDGE: This is a tremendously deep class, congratulations.

SHANE: That's a good thing to hear when you're, uh, not close to the top.

JOANNE: Yeah.

SHANE: Good job girl.

JOANNE: Way to go, that's awesome!

SHANE: You look good.

Good job.

You got this many kids in a class, you did a good job.

MABEL: No, I didn't.

SHANE: You want 'em to win, but when they're close to the top, that's good.

JOANNE: Lydia has been waiting in the wings all day for this moment.

She's competing against the Showmanship Sweepstakes Winner with hopes to retain the Grand Champion title.

So what's your game plan, what's going through your mind right now?

LYDIA: Um, I just kind of think to tell myself to go out there and do the best I can.

JOANNE: Good luck out there today.

LYDIA: Thank you.

JOANNE: All of Lydia's training throughout the year comes down to this one moment.

KENNY: Alright, Lydia!

JOANNE: She did it.

Lydia King is the Grand Champion for the second year in a row!

Lydia, oh my gosh!

So how are you feeling?

LYDIA: I'm feeling pretty good now, luckily my lamb was on point today and we were able to get it done, yeah.

JOANNE: Well I'm sure it had to do a little bit more than, than just, than just the lamb.

LYDIA: Mm-hmm.

JOANNE: Congratulations to all the winners.

And let's face it, these kids are all winners in my book.

And did you know 4-H and FFA livestock projects help youth develop critical life skills such as accepting responsibility, getting along with others, setting goals, decision making, and interpersonal skills?

Coming up, 4-H is more than just livestock and Al gets a close-up look.

But first, who doesn't love the sights, sounds, and smells of a good old fashioned fair?

Just make sure you stay upwind to the animal pens, if you know what I mean.

On this week's "Then and Now," the evolution of the Maryland State Fair.

♪ ♪ Pack up some beaten biscuits and a tin of turtle soup, in 1878 The Agricultural Society of Baltimore County held their very first successful state fair in Lutherville, Maryland.

Their goal was to support, educate, preserve, and promote Maryland agriculture.

Early fair activities included plowing, oxen competitions, greased pole climbing, art exhibitions, and even potato sack racing.

The Lutherville Fair was a home run.

However, it was squashed by the new Northern Central Railway, which ran right through the fairgrounds.

But the seeds for success were planted and a new location was leased just a few miles away in Timonium, Maryland.

The Northern Central Railway was no longer a foe, but a friend transporting many of the fairgoers from Baltimore City to the Timonium fairgrounds.

4-H was introduced nearly 85 years later in 1964 to encourage families and youth to develop agricultural skills and expand Maryland's economy.

From humble beginnings, the Maryland State Fair has grown from just 37 to over 100 acres of land attracting over half a million visitors annually.

Despite its growth, the fair has not lost sight of its original goal, to educate the public on the importance of Maryland agriculture.

Recently, events such as milking lessons and the incredibly popular birthing center have been added to the fairgrounds.

Growing more and more popular every year, the sky's the limit for the Maryland State Fair.

Well, look who I ran into.

Funny, I should find you here in the garden.

AL SPOLER: Well, hello Joanne.

Of course, you do, I love coming to these demonstration gardens there, there are so many new things here to discover and I get so many great ideas.

JOANNE: Yeah, absolutely.

AL: And, and right back here is the 4-H Arts and Craft Center, which I also love, 'cause in there you're gonna find all these things that the kids have made you, you see quilts, you see honey, all sorts of great stuff, I love it.

JOANNE: Well, you should go check it out.

AL: Well, I was about to.

JOANNE: Okay then.

AL: Okay, I'll see you later.

JOANNE: Alright.

♪ ♪ AL: This is an amazing place, there's so much to see here, so much talent.

This building is packed with inspiring projects.

Everything from botany, to art, woodworking, and my personal favorite, the baked goods section.

I, I really always wanted to be a judge for this section.

These days they put this plastic film over top of it to prevent people like me from, you know, sampling the, the frosting.

4-H isn't only about livestock, its mission is for kids to learn and develop all sorts of talents.

JONATHAN EVERHART: It teaches me a valuable work about planning ahead and designing cakes, and also it's very artistic and I just love expressing myself through cakes.

TRISH MOORE: For some kids who might do a project in swine say, but this gives 'em another area that they can develop.

Um, so there's service projects here, there's many variety of ways that they can explore who they are and develop the life skills that we provide at 4-H. AL: Some projects are hotter than others.

Well, this is remarkable, this dragon, uh, how did that come into being?

TRISH: Well, apparently when young man came in, he showed all of his work, um, to demonstrate that he did this all by himself.

AL: Mm-hmm.

TRISH: Completely freeform.

And he started out with wire, added aluminum foil, then clay, and then painted it.

AL: What award did he get?

TRISH: He got Grand Champion.

AL: He deserves it, no question about it, this is amazing.

This building really is the Timonium branch of Aladdin's Cave.

And if you're lucky, you'll get into a sticky situation.

APIARIST: Basically just cutting along, you're not digging into the wood too bad.

AL: Right.

Maryland's Beekeepers Association hosts the sweetest honeycomb extractions on-site.

That has got to be the best honey I've ever tasted, just amazing.

It's amazing how much there is to do here at the State Fair.

We're gonna put information about next year's fair on our website at mpt.org/farm, so you can start making plans now.

For "The Local Buy," I'm Al Spoler.

Joanne, I think you're around here somewhere.

JOANNE: Thanks Al.

Be sure to check out mpt.org/farm for all our resources.

Plus you can watch all "Farm and Harvest" episodes there as well.

Also, don't forget to follow us on social media for show updates, pictures, and videos.

Now, hold on, we're not done yet.

Remember our thingamajig, did you guess it?

Our hint was that this sweet tool would've come in handy at any fair's midway.

This is an old ice cream scoop.

You scoop that delicious, creamy goodness, and with a twist, the scoop falls into your bowl or cone.

Mmm, I could go for an ice cream right about now.

Congratulations if you got it right.

Join us next week for another thingamajig along with more stories about the diverse, passionate people who feed our state.

I'm Joanne Clendining, thanks for watching.

(music plays through credits).

NARRATOR: Major funding for "Maryland Farm and Harvest" is made possible in part by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, investing in smarter farming to support safe and affordable food, feed and fuel, and a healthy Bay.

Additional funding provided by Maryland's Best.

Good for you.

Good for Maryland.

MARBIDCO, helping to sustain food and fiber enterprise for future generations.

A grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Program, Farm Credit, lending support to agriculture and rural America.

The Maryland Soybean Board and Soybean Checkoff Program.

Progress powered by farmers.

The Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts.

The Maryland Farm Bureau Incorporated.

The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment.

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, promoting the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

And by Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.

(bird chirping).