4-H Youth Show a growing experience

Junior Livestock members with their leaders, back row from left: Kathy Grau, Makenna Kern, Lee Blumenauer, Mackenzie Marion, Cami Ford, Amanda Jedele, Julia Corwin, Noah Ford. Front row left, Chrissy Polzin, Cassidy Polzin, Emma Rose, Katie Polzin, Sydney Masters, Cameron Corwin, and Mary Hammer

The Washtenaw County 4-H Junior Livestock Committee is not a large group by any means–but they get the job done.

The past 7-10 days has been the conclusion of a year’s worth of work and learning for these 15-20 youth 4-H members, who spend all year mentoring younger kids and helping them learn the ropes of livestock showmanship. This youth leadership program within 4-H is a way for the members to learn valuable life skills as well as making friendships that will last a lifetime.

Emma Rose of Saline is one of the senior members of the group. As a mentor to three CloverBud members this year, including Caleb Benedict from Manchester, she has been part of 4-H since she was five years old. “I like to help the little ones because that’s how I learned everything,” she says.

Another part of 4-H that Emma has loved is being part of a 4-H exchange program, which allows kids to get to know other 4-H’ers from across the country. Along with McKenna Kern from Chelsea, they traveled to Colorado earlier this summer and next year each of the girls will host a 4-H member from the same family at their homes. Both girls had high praise for this experience.

Lee Blumenauer of Manchester just got done raising a steer and two pigs for the Manchester Fair, but last week he was back at the 4-H fair showing more animals, as well as mentoring a CloverBud member. Lee says he enjoys 4-H because everything you do is good training for college applications and future employment opportunities.

During the busy 4-H fair week, the Junior Livestock members are “responsible adult children,” according to their leader, Kathy Grau. They feed, clip, walk, wash their animals, and clean stalls. They monitor what’s going on in the barns, and keep an eye on the animals to make sure they are doing well. Plus, if they see another member who needs help with any of the above, they’re expected to jump in. They keep the tack area, aisles, and pens neat. They’re responsible for helping with announcements at the shows, presenting ribbons, and cleaning up messes during the show.

“Most of all, we try to look important,” says Cami Ford of Munith, with a smile.

Everything the kids do throughout the year is geared to lead up to 4-H Fair Week, with monthly meetings where they can decide on important changes to the annual Youth Show program, select judges, and perform community service. They also have a lot of fun together. Grau says that the group has good chemistry and they work and play well together. They claim that because they’re all friends, they’re not “competitive,” although they will admit that there’s probably an element of friendly competition among them. Grau believes that they definitely have a good sense of sportsmanship, because they are all helping each other no matter what the results.

“This is the rewarding part of everything we’ve done all year,” says Chrissy Polzin. “We get to see all the results of the work we’ve done and the decisions we’ve made throughout the year.”

Everyone has their favorite part of the 4-H Fair. Some of those include that the fair is “quiet,” with no rides (although sometimes the goats don’t let you sleep!). “You’re always doing something–helping others, or getting help from others.” “Making new friends.” “Seeing how many opportunities there are for us in 4-H.” And of course, there’s “getting the check.”

Cameron Corwin added that he enjoyed getting “kissed by his cow” just before coming to breakfast last Tuesday for the interview. His t-shirt showed the evidence of his cow’s affectionate gesture.

There are many rewarding aspects of their involvement in Junior Livestock Committee. “I like seeing the CloverBuds going on to show for themselves, and doing well,” was one of the most common comments from the kids. But again, “getting the check” from the sale of their animal(s) is considered one of the big rewards of the week. Most kids end up using at least a portion of the proceeds to spend on next year’s animal. But saving for cars or college were also high on the list of great ways to spend “the check.”

Cami says that one of the big rewards for her is knowing that she can control a 1,200-pound steer in the ring. She earned first place in showmanship–and later learned it was because her steer laid down in the middle of the show, and she was able to get him up and continue to show him without losing her cool in the process.

One of the biggest rewards, they all agree, is knowing that when they work so hard all year long, it shows up in the end result. And that makes it all worth while.

Showing feeder calves: from left, Julia Corwin, Katie Polzin, Cameron Corwin, Amanda Jedele, Lee Blumenauer, Cassidy Polzin.

With their steers: Cami Ford (left), Makenna Kern, and Sydney Masters.

Chrissy Polzin, Makenna Kern, and Emma Rose getting ready to show their sheep.

Mackenzie Marion with CloverBud Emma.

Makenna and Emma also showed swine.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.