MONROE - While those participating in 4-H and FFA activities at the Green County Fair are trying to win in their categories, some also are motivated to maintain family tradition.
Daniel Chapman grew up in a gardening family, just as his mom, Cindy Chapman, grew up planting, picking and eating various vegetables.
"We always gardened when we were young and we still do," Cindy Chapman said.
And now Daniel Chapman, 18, of Monroe, is continuing the family tradition by showing vegetables in the junior judging classes at the Green County Fair.
As an active FFA member for the past four years, Chapman said growing competition-quality vegetables isn't easy.
"It takes a lot of effort to do it," he said.
He has about 13 varieties of vegetables to choose from in his family's three or four gardens at home, but finds it difficult to choose which of those to bring to the fair.
"It's hard to find perfect ones, to find uniformity," he said.
Chapman, who placed first in the Advanced Gardening category for grades 9 and up, said he enjoys the competition.
"I like to se how they do in judging," Chapman said.
A family tradition of 4-H participation also is important to Rebekka Leijh, 13, Monroe, and her mom, Heather Siedschlag, who is a 4-H alumni.
In April, Leijh started growing vegetables, including cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peas and beans. "I find it fun," she said.
Leijh enjoyed learning from Siedschlag, who said, "we work better as a team."
Eating the vegetables they've grown is a bonus, they said. Leijh, a member of the Dougherty Creek 4-H club in Argyle, participated in the Intermediate Gardening class, for students in grades fourth through eighth, and she placed second in her category.
Leigh said she also enjoys seeing the other entries.
"Just to see how everyone's turned out (is fun)," Leijh said.
Daniel Chapman grew up in a gardening family, just as his mom, Cindy Chapman, grew up planting, picking and eating various vegetables.
"We always gardened when we were young and we still do," Cindy Chapman said.
And now Daniel Chapman, 18, of Monroe, is continuing the family tradition by showing vegetables in the junior judging classes at the Green County Fair.
As an active FFA member for the past four years, Chapman said growing competition-quality vegetables isn't easy.
"It takes a lot of effort to do it," he said.
He has about 13 varieties of vegetables to choose from in his family's three or four gardens at home, but finds it difficult to choose which of those to bring to the fair.
"It's hard to find perfect ones, to find uniformity," he said.
Chapman, who placed first in the Advanced Gardening category for grades 9 and up, said he enjoys the competition.
"I like to se how they do in judging," Chapman said.
A family tradition of 4-H participation also is important to Rebekka Leijh, 13, Monroe, and her mom, Heather Siedschlag, who is a 4-H alumni.
In April, Leijh started growing vegetables, including cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peas and beans. "I find it fun," she said.
Leijh enjoyed learning from Siedschlag, who said, "we work better as a team."
Eating the vegetables they've grown is a bonus, they said. Leijh, a member of the Dougherty Creek 4-H club in Argyle, participated in the Intermediate Gardening class, for students in grades fourth through eighth, and she placed second in her category.
Leigh said she also enjoys seeing the other entries.
"Just to see how everyone's turned out (is fun)," Leijh said.