The El Paso County Fair isn’t just about rides and carnival games—it’s a place where youth in 4-H proudly showcase their hard work, dedication, and personal growth.
For 16-year-old Grace Candela, 4-H has been a part of her life for seven years. “I would describe 4-H as a big leadership development opportunity that you can do within your community,” Grace said. “It really helps develop your public speaking skills, your social skills, how you network yourself—and you don’t have to do it alone.”
4-H is a national youth development program focused on hands-on learning in areas such as health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement. At the heart of the El Paso County Fair, agriculture and community take center stage.
“Our motto is to make the best better,” Grace shared with a smile. “So we really just want to grow every generation through agriculture.”
Standing proudly outside a pen with her goats, Jedidiah and Alexander—named after characters from Night at the Museum—Grace recounted her journey in the market goat competition. In 2023, she earned Reserve Grand Champion. Though she lost a goat to silent pneumonia in 2024 and couldn’t compete that year, she’s now preparing Jedidiah for the county fair and Alexander for the state fair, aiming to add 15 more pounds to his weight.
“Muscle development is the number one thing judges look for,” she explained. “They’re market goats, meant to be eaten. So you want a structurally correct, balanced, proportional animal.”
Grace will compete in the market goat category Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., after months of grooming, feeding, and training.
But her deepest passion lies elsewhere—rabbits. Holding up her 2024 rabbit showmanship belt buckle, Grace beamed with pride. “I’ve been working for this buckle for five or six years. When I finally won it, I cried so hard I almost passed out,” she said. “It taught me to never stop trying because eventually, I got there.” Grace has now won the Grand Champion Senior Rabbit Showman title two years in a row.
Encouraging newcomers to 4-H, Grace suggested starting small. “If you’re on the edge of doing livestock, start with a tabletop project like cake decorating or quilting—maybe even shooting sports. Come out to the fair, see how livestock works, and talk to people.”
While Grace is still figuring out her exact path, she’s confident her future lies in agriculture.
Just a few stalls away was another standout 4-H member, Kaleb Gramsch, who has spent 12 years in the program. Now a student at Cornell University studying to become a veterinarian for sheep, goats, and cattle, Kaleb credits 4-H for helping him develop the discipline and compassion needed for college and beyond.
In 2024, Kaleb made headlines by setting a record at the fair—selling his market goat for $4,200. He was named Grand Champion Market Goat and Champion Senior Showman.
“4-H teaches a lot of responsibility and compassion,” Kaleb said. “Taking care of an animal project teaches you time management, which really helped me in college.”
This year, Kaleb is showing a goat named Beef. “You’re caring for an animal all year long,” he said. “Especially with market projects, you learn a lot about food systems and develop a real appreciation for the meat you eat.”
The El Paso County 4-H Club currently has 381 youth members. For many like Grace and Kaleb, the fair is just one part of a larger journey that helps shape their futures.
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