The small animal barn at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds was buzzing Thursday, 15 minutes before the judging for the rabbit show was to begin. As crowds of people filed in to "ooh" and "ahh" at the rabbits in their cages, a rooster's crow occasionally pierced the hum of conversation.

Through all this chaos, 13-year-old Katie Frybarger sat calmly on the bleachers in front of the judging area, cradling her white Mini Lop rabbit in her arms.

Frybarger has been in the Santa Fe County 4-H club for five years and has previously won the grand champion award for showing rabbits. She also raises pigs and goats for show.

While waiting for the judging to start, Frybarger talked with her other friends from 4-H, most of whom were also showing rabbits. Brooke Baca, 12, said she started 4-H at a very young age. Today, she is the proud owner of 16 rabbits.

But owning even one rabbit isn't all fuzz and cuteness, she insisted, rolling back her shirt sleeve to reveal three long scratches. An important part of raising a rabbit for show is playing with it, so that the animal gets used to being handled by people. Their nails get long very quickly, and they need to be trimmed frequently.

Brooke's mother, Jacqueline Baca, is the Santa Fe County 4-H home economist. She estimates that the average child spends about 20 hours a week caring for their animals, between feeding them, giving them exercise and getting them ready for showing.

The kids must also keep track of the costs of owning the animal. She said that most of them have a checking account, and they do some serious bookkeeping to record how much money they spend on feed and other costs — and hopefully, in the end, make a profit from selling the animal.

"The projects are a means to teach these kids life skills," said Baca, who was a member of 4-H from the age of 9 all the way through graduate school.

Raising animals isn't the only project 4-H members can take on. Indoor exhibits, such as baking, are other options for students, and Baca says that they try to get kids to tackle science, technology, and math projects as well — ranging from robotics to electricity to entrepreneurship.

"There's a misconception that 4-H is only for kids that live on a farm," she said. "That's just not true."

Charlene Gallegos, 17, who showed sheep and goats in this year's fair, sometimes runs into this problem.

"I've gotten some friends into 4-H, but some think it's weird," she said, smiling. "Some think I live on a farm."

Brooke Baca, however, sees it as a great opportunity to open their eyes. "It's interesting to teach them about it," she said.

Both Brooke Baca and Frybarger said they want to continue with 4-H when they get into high school, but were not sure yet about Collegiate 4-H, which is where some of the older members, such as 19-year-old Josh Groseclose, are headed.

Groseclose, who is a student at Santa Fe Community College, said he owns more than 70 rabbits. This year he showed Victoria, a Flemish Giant — an aptly named breed, seeing as they can weigh up to 20 pounds.

"My friends think it's cool," he said, "but it does get hectic with work and school."

Though the 4-H shows are a huge part of the fair, there are also several events open to the whole community, such as the salsa competition, the chile challenge and the small-pet show. Jacqueline Baca said these events get bigger every year.

"We see about 6,000 to 10,000 at the fair each year, whether they're spectators, competing, from 4-H or part of the community," she said, adding that whether people come for the livestock or the indoor exhibits, the fair has something everyone can enjoy.

Contact Jessica Trumbull at 986-3050 or jtrumbull@sfnewmexican.com.