A drive over to Grant was a delight on an afternoon! Through the twists and turns of Bridgeton is a ride anyone should take once a year and then to pop up in Grant, to meet a young lady who’s championship record is being built everytime she participates in a show….couldn’t ask for much more. Layla Behm is 15 and wise beyond her years. Humble and kind and loves helping younger kids in to “Fair Life”, her winning ways and calm and confident demeanor make her a natural with horses, of all sizes….and a future leader to watch.
One of the resounding things we’ve found working with the Muskegon County Fair this year is that those who participate in it, have a genuine love for fostering their passion in others and sharing their experience. That’s a quality that seems short on delivery in a lot of circles in daily life anymore, and something we can all learn from. This isn’t exactly walk in the park stuff either. Caring for and raising animals that are not housepets is a 24/7 job. These youngins begin that at ages when most kids are still playing with Matchbox cars and baby dolls. Life experience comes quick and fast in the AG world, and the stakes are very real.
Layla began young. There was a wink of hesitation from mom, wanting to make sure she was ready and willing to take on the responsibility and investment of a horse. Well ,it must have been in Layla’s wheelhouse. At 15 she’s got 2 horses, championships stacking up for her riding, all the equipment and travelling accessories to tour and compete. Family and friends in tow, or just she and her mom heading out…it’s become part of the fabric of her life and while one horse is about a foot taller than she is, they are as natural of a pair as they can get to be. The bond is evident from the minute Laya walks into the barn to bring him out. Her competition and involvement has given her responsibility, determination and the joy of helping the younger set become part of her sport and enjoyment. Building a network when others are staring at a screen or talking to strangers and chatbots in games and on social media. Layla has something figured out. So does her family.
Our coverage this season of the Muskegon County Fair isn’t quite over, but leading up to it….we’ve seen SO much from so many different angles, and that was the point. Exactly the point. Today, there’s so much emphasis put on STEM. It’s pretty easy to forget just how much of that goes into AG and animal care. These “Fair Kids” are not only getting all of that, they are getting added layers with responsibility for life at an early age. Caring for dependents who have to have them for survival. Learning animal health. Working in teams. Fostering education for future participants. If your still sitting on the bench thinking that the Muskegon County Fair is antiquated and a thing of the past, it’s time to wake up and see what this is all about.
On par with any academic scholar student or top recruit high school athlete… the kids of the Muskegon County Youth Fair and their families all deserve our recognition and admiration for what they do and roles they play in our communities. Please make some time to head out to see them between July 20th and 25th to celebrate these kids as much as we do our football teams, basketball teams and award winning student scholars. “Fair Kids” have all earned it the hard way too.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Muskegon County Youth Fair and all the activities going on! We’ll see you at the Fair.
