UNION — Do you or your business enjoy volunteering for local causes? Would you be interested in learning more about farming or teaching others about agriculture? If so, the Knox and Lincoln Counties 4-H Leaders' Association (KLLA), a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is offering the perfect opportunity at the 2016 Union Fair!

KLLA is currently preparing the 4-H "Farm-to-Fair" exhibit for its fifth year at the Union Fair. This exhibit is designed to teach the public, particularly small children, how the food they consume and the products they use on a daily basis are produced. The exhibit consists of four small barns representing areas of a working farm, including a chicken coop, cattle barn, wild blueberry display and new in 2016, a maple sugar house. Additionally, there is a farmers market and a farm store. In each barn, children perform a mock farm chore and collect a related product, such as wooden eggs or a box of toy blueberries, which they can "sell" at the farmers market. After selling their "product" at the market, children can use their "farmer dollars" at the farm store to purchase a small item to keep.

Volunteers at this exhibit are given the unique opportunity to learn more about local agriculture and to teach children about the importance of farming. Volunteers lead children through the exhibit and teach them a little about farm life at each stop (we will provide simple facts for you to share with fair-goers). People who have volunteered for us in the past have really enjoyed it! 4-H Farm-to-Fair requires a minimum of seven volunteers per shift. The exhibit will operate each day of the 2016 Union Fair, August 20 — 27, with 3-hour volunteer shifts. If you can volunteer a shift or two of service to this educational venture, or would like to know more, please contact Cindy Rogers, 4-H Community Education Assistant, at (207) 832-0343 or cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.