When it comes to the annual Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show currently underway at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds this week, seven of the busiest kids on the fairgrounds are the Junior Livestock Committee.
In addition to caring for and showing their own livestock entries, Kesley Edwards, Abbie Walkowe, Erica Drake, Jacy Wacker, Natalie Johnson, and sisters Cassidy and Chrissy Polzin assist with the gates for the showing of other species as well as organize and announce Thursday’s livestock auction as just a few of the many tasks they have during youth show week.
The committee members say they spend many hours each day at the fairgrounds and although it’s the highlight of their summer, they are grateful for a number of different life skills they have learned through their participation in 4-H this week and every week throughout the year.
Kelsey Edwards talked about the new opportunities that 4-H offers. She says there’s a mentor program through which she has the opportunity to work with younger kids and assist them in their showmanship skills — in her case, with sheep.
In her 6th year in 4-H, she’ll be showing lambs and feeder cows this week.
Abbie Walkowe says 4-H has helped her with her confidence. “Through showing, I’ve come out of my shell,” she said.
In her 7th year in 4-H, she’ll be showing steers, heifers and sheep this week.
Erica Drake says 4-H has shown her the importance of community involvement and she’s enjoyed working with business people and other folks in her community. This opportunity has also offered her an chance to learn about local heritage.
In her third year in 4-H, she’ll be showing dairy heifers and feeder calves.
Jacy Wacker says 4-H has taught her responsibility because with both her mom and her brother working, she’s taken over the chores and feeds, hays, waters and works with the livestock.
A 4-H member for 6 years, she’ll be showing steers and sheep.
Natalie Johnson also says 4-H has taught her responsibility by learning to care for her steer and lambs. “It’s cool to be a part of it,” she says of 4-H.
In her third year in 4-H, she’ll be showing lambs.
Cassidy Polzin noted the new and lasting friendships she’s made through 4-H. “It’s the different opportunities 4-H gives you to make friends with people you normally wouldn’t talk to,” she says. In fact, she’s attended veterinary science camp through 4-H.
In her fifth year in 4-H, she’ll be showing dairy, pigs and sheep.
Chrissy Polzin says that leadership has been one of the life skills she’s learned through 4-H, mentoring young kids and helping with Cloverbud Camp. Plus, when the younger kids show their animals, she enjoys helping them, she says.
Also in her fifth year of 4-H, she’ll be showing dairy and sheep.
As a group, the committee members say that 4-H is a lot of fun and they enjoy working with their animals, meeting new people and making new friends. 4-H, they say, provides them with a myriad of learning experiences that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
4-H members support one another, hope to do their best when they show, but above all else, enjoy all the skills that 4-H offers year-round.
Below is a schedule of events for the week. Entry into the show and parking are both free.
