By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

LEBANON, Ohio — With four children, three different 4-H clubs and a multitude of animals to contend with, many wonder how Katie O’Brien deals with this hectic schedule.

“Sometimes I feel as though I have that 40 acres but I’m without a mule,” O’Brien said jokingly while at this year’s Warren County Fair in Lebanon. “With all the animals and 4-H clubs this family is involved with, I’m a mom that’s going in every direction. I truly believe we’ve showed in every barn this year but the cattle barn. We’re busy showing chickens, turkeys, hogs, horses, ducks, dogs, cats, rabbits and llamas – did I miss any?”

Bailey, the oldest at 16, was last to give 4-H a try. In 2007 (her first year) she showed ducks, but resorted to pigs this season.
“I wish I had shown pigs a longtime ago,” Bailey said. “They have such huge personalities.”

Katie admits it took some prodding to get Bailey interested in 4-H.
“This 4-H was their thing not mine,” Bailey admits. “I was so into sports and never wanted to leave the gym for this.”

Brady, 12, has been with horses and llamas in his three years in 4-H. Brady and Bailey are members of the Warren County Livestock 4-H Club. Brady was the first of the siblings to tackle 4-H projects.
“Bailey never wanted to go out into the barn, whereas Brady was there when he was in diapers,” Katie said.

Darby, 11, enjoys showing her turkeys, chickens and llamas the most. She’s a part of the Horse Feathers 4-H Club. Katie was one of the founders of this club.

Riley, 9, will show any animal he can get his hands on. He’s not involved with 4-H just yet.

“We simply divide and conquer,” Katie said. “The kids realize we’ll spend equal time with them all but we cannot get to all the events. There’s just no way. They’ve become responsible kids because of it, though.”

Katie’s husband, Kevin, assists when he can, but his day job restricts his time.

“Kevin was never a 4-H guy until he met me,” Katie said.
Katie’s father, David Fox, is a wellknown veterinarian practicing in Cincinnati.

David last participated in the Warren County Fair in 1957. Steers were his animal of choice.