For the last year, Samuel and Daniel Barraza have been busy.

But today, that level of busy upticked a few notches as the 4-H'ers get ready for Linn County Fair.

Samuel, 12, is entering eight categories this year: Forestry, entomology, geology, leadership, rockets, Lego robotics, photography and art.

In a full 1.5-inch binder, Samuel has documented the steps for each of the eight projects. For example, in his entomology entry, Samuel documented when and where each insect in his bug box display was collected.

"Everything they did is in that book," said Lisa Barraza, Samuel and Daniel's mother.

Daniel, 10, is entering entomology, geology, rocketry, foods and art.

The 4-H'ers, led by Fay Sallee, go on field trips to collect specimens - mainly insects, leaves and rocks.

"We've gone out to some rivers and parks to get insects," Daniel said.

The kids took a field trip to Oregon State University's Entomology department, which houses bugs from around the world.

"It was a huge room. There was a beetle this big," Samuel said, with a two-foot gap between his hands.

The trip was an inspiration for both kids, who hope one day to be entomologists.

Samuel's most unique bug is a primitive monster cricket that he got during a family trip to Crater Lake.

Daniel's is a carrion beetle he found under a dead snake.

This year both students will be in the junior division, Samuel a third-year, and Daniel a first-year junior.

As students progress through the junior division, they add more plants and more specimens to their collections. Projects become more and more detailed.

The rocket projects garnered as much excitement as the entomology projects.

The Barrazas made individual rockets, but unfortunately, both kids' rockets never left the ground, at least not in one piece.

"Something happened and mine blew up. The engine blew right through the cone," Samuel said.

"There was one that burned a hole through the rocket pad," Daniel said, with a smile.

Next year, they hope to have better luck.

In the leadership portion of 4-H, Samuel taught a class on entomology to younger children.

"Sam is willing to help and is a leader," Sallee said. He teaches a class for the home school 4-H'ers and helps with the after-school kids as well.

Samuel took home state champion honors last year in entomology for the junior division.

"With the money I got from that I bought a video to help teach classes here," Samuel said. He earned $50 for the champion honor.

"We don't usually have a member with Sam's skills in leadership until they are about junior high age," Sallee said.

She started the 4-H group named the Clever Clovers in 1987.

"Samuel is a great asset and Daniel will be, too," Fay said. "Daniel is in the enthusiastic stage. When they are out catching bugs, Daniel is usually out there in front."

After the fair, the 4-H group will get together and go over judges' feedback and start the process over for next year.

Regardless of how each boy places, one thing is for sure: They will be busy. There will be more bugs to catch, more leaf samples, and more field trips.

And more fun.

The full Linn County Fair schedule can be viewed at www.linncountyfair.com.