KEN AND NANCY BISBEE of Ridgefield review a 4-H member’s record book, the area of the fair where Ken has served as superintendent for the past 25 years.
KEN AND NANCY BISBEE of Ridgefield have been named Volunteers of the Year for the 2016 Clark County Fair.
Twenty-five years after they attended their first Clark County fair as leaders and parents of 4-Hers, Ken and Nancy Bisbee, of Ridgefield, have been selected Volunteers of the Year for the fair.
“We initially thought that our kids would benefit from the 4-H programs, learning to cook, sew and can food, and hopefully make new friends along the way,” noted Nancy. “From there we decided to get involved, volunteer and be part of the Clark County Fair as positions opened.”
Ken and Nancy have both spent the past 41 years working with youth in their careers as well, until they retired this year in June.
Ken taught elementary school in the Ridgefield School District, and formed the national award-winning high school speech and debate team there.
Nancy worked as a middle and high school English teacher, where she also directed plays and supervised the school newspaper and yearbook. After a few years off work when their five children were young, she began teaching English classes at Clark College in the evenings.
They educated their own five children as well, homeschooling them for many years.
When their oldest child was in elementary school, Nancy teamed up with another parent to form a “Minis” 4-H club. Nancy had participated in 4-H herself as a child, and they thought it would be a fun way for the kids to learn life skills like cooking and sewing, and caring for animals.
“You could see the kids picked up skills and learned public speaking,” said Ken. “These are life skills a person needs.”
4-H proved popular for their family, and all seven of the Bisbees have been active with the fair for more than 25 years.
The first year Nancy was a leader, the person who usually took the lead for “Minis” entries at the fair couldn’t do it and Nancy was asked to help.
“Not knowing what I was getting into, I said sure,” she said laughing.
Looking back, Nancy said it was an easy way to get involved in the fair, since Mini entries were not judged and simply received participant ribbons. She checked in the kids’ projects and organized the displays. It was a positive experience for her; the youth brought fun and varied projects, and had an opportunity to learn how more complicated projects would be done when they were older.
The following year, Ken volunteered to oversee the record book entries. During the 4-H year, youth keep optional detailed records of their calendar, goals, project details, budgets, photos, and a reflection on the problems and successes of their projects. They record their community service, leadership, school responsibilities, and 4-H participation as well.
Ken continues to serve in this role today, and espouses the benefits of the records. The record book is a permanent record which carries over from year to year. It archives the members’ achievements and memories, and creates a handy reference when it is time to apply for college or other pursuits.
Nancy went on to fill superintendent roles in many of the project areas related to food and nutrition. She created the cooking contest On the Spot, which pre-dates the reality cooking shows so popular in media today. Youth contestants were given a scenario to cook for, such as the mayor coming to dinner, and were to design and prepare an appropriate and nutritious menu, serve their guests, and socialize.
She brought her teaching experience in drama and performance to the fair when she was superintendent of Performing Arts, a talent show for 4-H. “You see the kids grow up doing that,” she said, of the experience of performing before a live fair audience.
Nancy also initiated a Food and Nutrition judging contest. Entrants complete a challenging written test, and then give oral reasons to a judge to defend their decisions.
Nancy was drawn to the area of food and nutrition because she felt they are important skills. She was raised on a farm where food was grown and preserved, and her mother was a “great cook.” “I thought it was important our daughters and sons learn these things,” she said.
The Clark County Fair is the most visible aspect of 4-H, but it is the culmination of a year of work for club members, they said.
Fair volunteers end up being like family, said the Bisbees. When you spend a couple of weeks with someone every year, you get to know them well. And they were inspired by the long-time fair volunteers who they worked alongside.
A lot has changed during the Bisbee’s years with the fair. Fewer Clark County families are engaged in agriculture, and 4-H project areas have evolved to reflect new technology and interests. The Event Center replaced metal Quonset huts, which were always sweltering during the late summer fair.
Their years with the fair might be visualized in the collection of milkshake cups from the long-standing Dairy Women’s booth. “We had hundreds!” said Nancy, describing the stacks of cups she sends home now every time a grown child comes for a visit.
“It’s watching the growth and development of the kids that was truly the most satisfying,” said Ken. “We have watched not only our own kids become outstanding adults, but dozens and dozens of other kids learn, grow and become successful people in their own rights.”
“There are a great wealth of wonderful people we’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Nancy. “It’s been a real blessing.”
