Buchli wins Youth in Ag Award

Jason Buchli from Alexandria, Nebraska was awarded the Brownfield Youth in Ag Award at the Jefferson County Fair. He has been involved in 4-H for ten years and competed in everything from showing cows to welding. However, Buchli says he would advise other members to start off with smaller and easier projects. Jason hopes to become a farmer and rancher when he gets older and wants to work with beef cattle in particular.

AUDIO: Jason Buchli (2 minutes, mp3)

Adams Co. Indiana honor livestock showmen

The seven showmen representing beef, horse, dairy, swine, sheep, starter calf and goats competed in the Supreme Showmanship Competition at the 2010 Adams County Indiana 4-H Fair. Radio station WZBD and Brownfield presented Ag Youth Awards to Courtney Scherer, Riley Smitley, Sarah Sipe, Shawn Kiess, Jon Keller, Luke Liechty and Breanna Hockemeyer.

Courtney Scherer represented beef in Supreme Showmanship, the 6-year member of 4-H enjoys being with the animals and having fun with friends. For Courtney reminding younger 4-H members to be positive and learn from others is what 4-H is all about.

AUDIO: Courtney Scherer (1:30 MP3)

When you see Riley Smitley there’s probably a horse close by, the 8 year member enjoys the challenge of working with her horse. Riley says this year’s Adams County 4-H Fair has been especially rewarding working with a younger 4-H member in the showring. Riley hopes to become a horse veterinarian.

AUDIO: Riley Smitley (2:15 MP3)

This is it for Sarah Sipe, the 10 year 4-H member will be attending Taylor University in the fall, majoring in biology, eventually pursuing a career in the medical field. Sarah says it seems like yesterday that she got involved in 4-H, she describes the experience as challenging, fun and very rewarding.

AUDIO: Sarah Sipe (2:20 MP3)

For Shawn Kiess, 4-H has been a great learning experience, and even though he’s finishing 10 years he hopes to come back next year to help his sister. Shawn will enroll at Purdue University this fall, hoping to come back to the family farm.

AUDIO: Shawn Kiess (1:40 MP3)

Jon Keller has been in 4-H for five years, he enjoys working with the animals, even though the dairy calf presented some challenges during Supreme Showmanship. Jon says 4-H is teaching him responsibility, his future plans include going back to the family farm.

AUDIO: Jon Keller (2:05 MP3)

For Breanna Hockemeyer, the Adams County 4-H Fair is a sleepless week, filled with hard work and a lot of fun. The 9 year 4-H member enjoys taking care of the animals and hopes to one day become a Vet Tech. She says competing in Supreme Showmanship teaches proper technique.

AUDIO: Breanna Hockemeyer (2:45 MP3)

The 2010 Supreme Showman in Adams County is Luke Liechty. When asked how it feels to win the competition Luke said he was “very proud and very humbled.” 4-H is a program that means so much to Luke, from a special bond he has with his sister, to the support from mom and day. 4-H week is also a huge week for Luke Liechty.

AUDIO: Luke Liechty (3:50 MP3)

Back Row: L-R Shawn Kiess, Jon Keller, Luke Liechty, Front Row: Breanna Hockemeyer, Courtney Scherer, Sarah Sipe, Riley Smitley

Big week at Daviess Co. 4-H Fair

WAMW Radio and Brownfield presented belt buckles to Stacey Beard, Chance Berry, Brandt Lawyer, Rae Ann Lengacher and Brooke Mallett before the 2010 Daviess County 4-H Livestock Auction.

8-year 4-H member Stacey Beard had what she described as a “dream week” at the 2010 Daviess County Indiana 4-H Fair. Stacey exhibited the Grand Champion Steer, Reserve Grand Champion Heifer and the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, oh, and she won Round Robin Showmanship too. Not a bad week for the North Daviess student.

AUDIO: Stacey Beard (2:30 MP3)

Chance Berry of Washington, Indiana is no stranger when it comes to exhibiting Grand Champions, but still it was a thrill when the 8-year member had his market lamb selected Grand Champion in 2010. Chance appreciates the leadership and life skills 4-H is teaching him. In the future Chance hopes to become a livestock judge.

AUDIO: Chance Berry (1:55 MP3)

Brandt Lawyer has been in 4-H for eight years, having his crossbred barrow selected as the Daviess County 4-H Fair Grand Champion was really unexpected, but very exciting. Brandt describes his involvement in 4-H as a valuable learning experience. He’s been involved in the sheep and swine project all 8 years.

AUDIO: Brandt Lawyer (1:30 MP3)

Rae Ann Lengacher is wrapping up her first year in 4-H by exhibiting the Grand Champion Dairy Goat. Rae Ann says it was awkward and embarrassing when her animal was selected because “it wouldn’t move.”

AUDIO: Rae Ann Lengacher (1:25 MP3)

Brooke Mallett just loves being at the fair with all her friends, Brooke is in her 4th year and exhibited the Grand Champion Boer Wether. What made it special for Brooke is that her goats are home raised. When she talks with friends about 4-H she tells them how fun it is and that they should join.

AUDIO: Brooke Mallett (1:35 MP3)

Dave Crooks, WAMW, Chance Berry, Brandt Lawyer, Stacey Beard, Brooke Mallett

Grand Champions honored in Johnson County

Matt Gaughan, a 9-year 4-h member, Drew Titara (unable to attend the awards program) and Travis and Monika Wallen picked up Indiana Ag Youth Awards from Brownfield and WKKG Radio at the Johnson County Indiana 4-H Fair.

The 2010 Johnson County 4-H Fair was quite a fair from first year 4-H member Travis Wallen and his sister Monika, who is in her third year. Travis exhibited the Grand Champion Steer and Monika exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb, the second time she’s accomplished the feat. For Travis, he enjoys working with his steer and Monika, she likes to share what she learns in 4-H with others.

AUDIO: Travis Wallen (1:25 MP3)

AUDIO: Monika Wallen (2:10 MP3)

9-year 4-H member Matt Gaughan exhibited the Grand Champion Barrow at the 2010 Johnson County 4-H Fair, an accomplishment that felt really good. After next year, Matt will take what 4-H has taught him to Purdue University.

AUDIO: Matt Gaughan (1:30 MP3)

Monika Wallen, Travis Wallen, Matt Gaughan, Olivia Smiley,

Dubois County honors 4-H achievements

The Brownfield Ag Network and WBDC Radio presented Indiana Ag Youth Awards to Taylor Hopf, Luke Summerlot, Brad Hoffman and Lauren Englert at the 2010Dubois County 4-H Fair.

Luke Summerlot, exhibited the Grand Champion dairy goat in his first year in 4-H, Luke described it as “awesome.” With his brother off at camp, Luke found himself with additional duties when it came to the goats during the fair. What has 4-H taught Luke Summerlot, how not to get nervous, when something happens like your goat getting loose.

Audio: Luke Summerlot (1:55 MP3)

The Grand Champion breeding ewe at the Dubois County 4-H Fair was exhibited by Taylor Hopf, a 5-year 4-H member who also takes gardening and hay projects. Taylor credits her mom and dad for always being there with support and a friendly reminder that there’s work to be done on her 4-H projects.

AUDIO: Taylor Hopf (1:55 MP3)

Taylor Hopf and Luke Summerlot

County showmanship winner prepares for state fair

Cody Carmen from Sullivan, Illinois was awarded the Moultrie- Douglas Master Showmanship at the county fair on July 17. After becoming the senior showman in the sheep, boar goat, and dairy cattle categories, Carmen had to compete against the showmen in all the livestock areas at the local level. Now, Carmen will move on to competition at the Illinois State Fair where he will contend against other ag youth from across the state. He became involved in showing livestock through his uncle and the activity has become a family affair.

Bates County presents Brown with youth ag award

Ben Brown from Appleton City, Missouri was awarded the Brownfield Youth in Agriculture Award at the Bates County Fair last week. Brown is in his ninth year of 4-H and his fourth year in the National FFA Organization. He is currently an officer for the 4-H program and serves on the State Board of Trustees all while serving as his FFA chapter president and as an area officer. Brown says he would recommend either program to anyone who is interested and says everyone should become as involved as possible. Brown will be running for an FFA state office next spring and hopes to attend the University of Missouri and major in agribusiness.

AUDIO: Ben Brown (6 minutes, mp3)

Ben Brown and Al Decker, Extension Livestock Specialist

Warrick Co. IN Ag Youth Awards

WBNL Radio and Brownfield presented Indiana Ag Youth Awards to four Warrick County 4-Hers, Amber Harris, Emily Grimm, Emily Tuley and Halley Baker.

For Amber Harris a member of 4-H for 6 years, showing horses, chickens and goats keep her busy come fair time, but 4-H is so much more, especially now that she’s involved in Warrick County Jr. Leaders. Amber says, “4-H means having fun.”

AUDIO: Amber Harris (1:40 MP3)

Emily Grimm has been in 4-H seven years and she says she enjoys all the activities, from Jr. Leaders, to the friendships, to the life skills 4-H is teaching her. In 2010, Emily entered 16 projects at the county level and will be taking several to the Indiana State Fair. For Emily Grimm, the Warrick County 4-H Fair is the highlight of her summer.

AUDIO: Emily Grimm (2:15 MP3)

Even though she’s busy with other activities, 8 year 4-H member Emily Tuley really enjoys 4-H and encourages others to get involved whenever she has the chance. In 2010, Emily was named the Senior Division Showmanship winner, something she’s very proud of.

AUDIO: Emily Tuley (1:45 MP3)

Halley Barker was unable to attend the presentation.

Amber Harris, Emily Grimm, Hanna Baker, standing in for sister Halley, Emily Tuley

Meet Aubreanna Carter of Jefferson Co.

Brownfield and WORX Radio presented Indiana Ag Youth Awards to the two “Outstanding 4-H Exhibitors” at the 2010 Jefferson County Indiana 4-H Fair, Aubreanna Carter and Zach Abbott.

Not to be out done by her older brother, Aubreanna Carter of Madison, Indiana was named “Outstanding 4-H Exhibitor” in her first year in 4-H. The soft spoken Aubreanna took 15 projects this year and plans to take more next year, hoping to win Grand Champion.

AUDIO: Aubreanna Carter (1:50 MP3)

Also named “Outstanding 4-H Exhibitor” was Zach Abbott, Zach was unable to attend the awards program.

Aubreanna Carter

Bartholomew Co. Gr. Champions presented buckles

Friday, July 16 was awards night at the Bartholomew County 4-H fair and for Abigail Larken, Macy Wehmeirer, Jennifer Clouse and Jared Gearhart it included receiving the Indiana Ag Youth Award from Brownfield and WCSI Radio.

In only her second year in 4-H Abigail Larken enjoys showing horses, sheep, her dog and rabbits. When asked what she enjoys about 4-H, Abigail smiles and says, “making new friends.” Abigail plans to use the money from the sale of her market lamb to buy more sheep for next year.

AUDIO: Abigail Larken, Gr. Champion Market Lamb (1:20 MP3)

Macy Wehmeirer, a 9-year 4-H member exhibited the Grand Champion Barrow at the 2010 Bartholomew County Fair. Macy says having her crossbred barrow named Grand Champion was the payoff for all her hard work. For Macy, 4-H is providing her with leadership opportunities.

AUDIO: Macy Wehmeier, Gr. Champion Barrow (1:50 MP3)

Jennifer Clouse loves 4-H and all it has to offer. A member of 4-H for 8 years, Jennifer understands that hard work pays off and says the hot weather during the show presented a few additional challenges when presenting her animal to the judges.

AUDIO: Jennifer Clouse (1:35 MP3)

It took 10 years, but Jared Gearhart finally reached his goal of having his name added to the Grand Champion Steer Trophy that is named after his Great-Grandfather. Jared will enroll at Purdue University this fall where he is looking forward to meeting up with others he’s met through 4-H.

AUDIO: Jared Gearhart, Gr. Champion Steer (3:35 MP3)

Macy Wehmeier, Jennifer Clouse, John Foster, WCSI, Jared Gearhart, Abigail Larken