There’s Something Special About Farm Kids

I’ve said it time and time again—there’s something special about farm kids. They truly are a breed of their own. And if there’s one week that proves it, it’s fair week.

Fair week is a time when farm kids come together and live in a world that feels entirely their own.

At the county fair, you’ll see them up early, wearing boots and shorts, caring for their animals. They make sure the animals have food, water, and a clean place to rest. They walk them for exercise and prep them for their upcoming shows.

Some kids are laser-focused—locked in, maybe a little frantic—as they get ready to enter the show ring. But all of them pour their hearts into the work. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.

You’ll see more than just animal care. Fair week is likely the only time you’ll find young kids roaming freely without their parents, visiting each other’s campsites. Everyone brings enough food to share because feeding each other’s kids is just part of the culture. You’ll hear them chatting about tractors, animals, school, and even snot—holding conversations like little adults. And then a moment later, they’re running barefoot through the campground, playing wiffle ball or football, laughing like only kids can.

There’s a real sense of community among the fair families. We trust one another with our kids. We look out for them, feed them, keep them in line, and love on them like our own. We share a common rule: no wandering to the midway without an adult—and we make sure to know who they’re with and when.

These kids aren’t just hanging out. They’re working. They’re running the milkshake shack, cooking at the Farm Bureau booth, participating in hay rodeos, FFA Olympics, tractor pedal pulls, and more. They carry a level of maturity many adults haven’t yet reached. They are responsible. They care deeply about what they do.

So, the next time you see a group of kids at the fair—boots on, shorts dusty, hair messy—remember this: you’re looking at some of the most remarkable humans on the planet. They’ve kept something alive, cared for it, shown it proudly, and sold it—often for the last time—and still walk away with their heads held high. They know what it means to put in a hard day’s work.