SCHELLER (WSIL) -- It's hard to imagine a 4-H program without a competition at a local fair, but that's exactly what state leaders are considering. The University of Illinois Extension is weighing its options under the lingering "stay at home" order.
For the Kistners in Scheller, Illinois, there are no days off for running a farm.
"It's just fun. Getting outside, being able to work on the farm, and just helping my dad and my grandpa, and everybody," said 4-H member Tony Kistner.
As a 4-H family, they prepare for annual competitions featuring their cattle and swine.
"All the calves, we have to break them to lead, which means you put a halter on them and teach them how to walk on a halter. And then the pigs--just getting them prepared with the show stick and stuff," said 4-H member Anna Kistner.
They also look forward to bonding with other 4-H families.
"You have parents who have showed against each other a generation ago, that now get to spend time together reminiscing about all the war stories," said mother, Angie Kistner.
"I would say my favorite part is showing, but really just being with my friends, meeting new people, and just having a good competition, but still it being fun," said Anna Kistner.
The Kistners are hoping the stay-at-home order won't suspend their livestock shows and with it scholarship money for the kids.
"It'd make me feel sad, 'cause all of my hard work and my sister's hard work just been cancelled," said Tony Kistner.
While they wait for the decision, the Kistners are proud of the skills their children have learned.
"You'll make a lot of new friends, learn a lot of new things, and it's overall just a really great program," said Anna Kistner.
"The fact that even though they know that the project--the fair may be cancelled or it may be changed or pushed back, they still continue to come out here and work hard everyday," said Angie Kistner.
The U of I Extension is expected to make a decision in two weeks.
