Photo by courtesyPhoto Karen Sowel clips her Montadale ewe while preparing for the Montadale sheep competition at the fair. Sowel is one of four volunteer 4-H sheep superintendents and is in a family that has had three generations of sheep exhibitors at The Great Frederick Fair.

The 4-H program would not be possible without dedicated volunteers, said Frederick County 4-H extension agent Larry Cromwell. That is especially true during fair week, when hundreds of Frederick County 4-H members exhibit everything from lambs to llamas and bug collections to brownies.

"I volunteer because it's a way for me to pay back everything the program did for me," said Karen Sowel, a 4-H sheep superintendents. "I grew up in the 4-H program and showed my sheep here at the fair. My parents showed sheep and now my 6-year-old son, Konnor, is showing sheep."

Sowel is proud that her family represents three generations of sheep exhibitors, but even more glad to help other 4-H kids.

"The 4-H program taught me responsibility and gave me the self awareness of who I am," she said. "It was fun and I made lots of friendships. I want to make sure other kids have those opportunities too."

The Hagerstown resident is a claims analyst for FlexAmerica and takes off a week for the fair.

"The fair is where I spend the one week of vacation time I get," she said. "I do it for these kids in the livestock program. They are great kids and that's what's going to keep farming in Frederick County alive."

Veteran volunteer David Axline also takes a week off from his position with the State Highway Administration.

"I love working with the kids and that's what this is for," he said. "I grew up showing beef, swine and chickens here at the fair."

The Middletown native is in his 29th year of being a 4-H beef superintendent and is continuing a family tradition that spans five decades. His father, Lee Axline, was the 4-H beef superintendent during the '60s and '70s. His mother, Jean, also volunteers and has been recording the beef show ring results for more than 30 years. -- --

"I followed in my father's footsteps," he said. "I've enjoyed it a lot over the years and know how much the 4-H program benefits these young people."

Volunteer Margie Feaga of Frederick believes 4-H helps mold children into strong, confident adults.

"4-H makes them stand up and speak for themselves, helps develop leadership and gives them responsibility," she said.

She has been the 4-H craft department superintendent for five years along with her mother, Ann Murphy. Feaga grew up exhibiting at the fair and her two sons, now 21 and 23, also participated.

"Once the fair is in your blood you want to help," Feaga said. "You do it for the 4-H members."