Let's Talk Turkey

No one laid an egg at this competition, but we all did learn a great deal. For example did you know it is possible to give a turkey a bath and even blow dry it? There is always a first time for everything at the Robeson County Fair and this year that was our first.
We started the poultry show with our laying hens. First up was Lee Pate in our cloverbud age division. The purpose of the show is to allow youth to be comfortable showing their birds, answering questions and seeing who raises the best bird. In the cloverbud division it is all about trying something new and learning. This was Lee's first show and being that it was noncompetitive he received a trophy and cash award for his hard work. In the Junior Division, which is made up of youth between the ages of 9-13 we had two competitors. Justin Lowry took home the red ribbon while Benjamin Herndon was able to take home the blue.
From laying hens we moved on to broilers. Broilers are meat chickens versus laying hens which are raised to lay eggs. Lee Pate raised a great broiler chicken in which he was able to once again receive a trophy and cash award. Benjamin Herndon was our only other competitor and placed first with his broiler.
From there it was time to talk turkey. That's right we had a turkey show. Benjamin Herndon is the first to raise a turkey for Robeson County 4-H in more than 5 years. His turkey, which weighed about 35 pounds was checked by the judge, Robbie Mills, who seemed rather impressed with Benjamin's efforts. Benjamin received first place for his turkey and a cash award. Also because turkeys can not go home due to biohazzard issues, he received premium money for his efforts.

Those Wasically Wabbits!

Traditionally the first Monday of the Robeson County Fair you can see 4-H members hopping to it in the livestock building to show their rabbits. The 4-H rabbit project is part of the animal science program. This year 13 youth raised rabbits and 7 showed off how hard they had worked by bringing their rabbits to the fair.

According to our rabbit judge Glen Privette the hard work was evident. In years past Glenn has said his job was not so difficult because of the range in quality of the rabbits. This year however he said he definitely earned his check because picking between a first and second was really difficult. He said in several cases it came down to how clean their paws were, thus how clean each competitor kept their rabbit pen.

Up first in the show was the cloverbud division. These are our 5 to 8 year olds who show non-competitively. This year only one cloverbud showed at the fair. Maggie Underwood with her rabbit, Mr. Lucky Brown Spots entered the ring (with a little help from one of our 4-H volunteers) for her first ever show. She and the judge talked about Mr. Lucky Brown Spots, she held him in place, petted him and the judge looked him all over and congratulated her, with a trophy for a job well done.

In the Junior 9-10 year old division it was a head to head battle between Buttercup, Tierra Locklear's rabbit and Maxine, Elizabeth's Albright's rabbit. Both girls entered the ring showing poise and control of their animals. It was obvious that both rabbits were used to being handled and they were wonderful little bunnies for the judge. After going back and forth several times, checking for things like ear mites, fur condition, and size the judge asked both girls some questions. Then he was back to the rabbits again trying to determine a winner. It took him several minutes of back and forth to declare Tierra Locklear and Buttercup the first place winners while Elizabeth and Maxine took second.

In the Junior 11-13 age division it was a whiskers difference between each of the competitors. Three young ladies with their rabbits took to the ring for this age category. Terri Lowery and Pepper, Brionna Locklear and Old Yellow, and Destinee Lowry with Flower heated up the show ring even more. After several minutes of examining rabbits, talking with the competitors, and even the rabbits the judge looked at our 4-H Agent and said, "This is another really good group of rabbits and you are making it tough on me this year. I wish I could give them all blue ribbons." Alas he was forced to place these three and finally was able to determine that Terri Lowry with Pepper would take home the blue ribbon, Destinee Lowry and Flower would take home the red, while Brionna Locklear would walk away with white.

After such a tough division it was a pleasure to move on to the last age category, the Seniors who are between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. Anthony Bullard entered the ring with a black and white rabbit, that we kid you not, had a Mohawk. The rabbit did not have a name but during this part of the show Livestock Agent Michelle Shooter determined that we should call the rabbit Oreo, and we think it will stick with her. Anthony and the judge talked all things rabbit, the judge looked Oreo up and down and declared Anthony the blue ribbon winner.

It was an exciting night for everyone as they took a group photo then collected their winnings. Congratulations to all our youth for their hard work. Tomorrow night at the Robeson County Fair will be the hog show starting at 7 pm in the livestock building.

Join the Revolution

It's funny how this works. Every year during the fair we celebrate a national event, National 4-H week. All over the country special events take place to celebrate this youth development organization with alumni from across the world. Here in Robeson County, the County Commissioners issue a proclamation declaring it National 4-H week. We also celebrate at the fair highlighting our youths accomplishments in animal science, club work, talent, arts and crafts and much more.
This year we also unveiled the new logo that will be used in all of our upcoming marketing, as well as our theme for the upcoming year. Join the Revolution of responsibility highlights the accomplishments of our youth while encouraging them to continue their community service and volunteer work.
Please join us at the Robeson County Agricultural Fair this week as we celebrate our youth and all that 4-H is in this county. If you would like more information about 4-H or being part of a club please call our office at (910) 671-3276 or contact Aggie Rogers, 4-H Program Associate at Aggie_Rogers@ncsu.edu.

Showing by the Hair of their Chinny Chin Chin

The first animal show of the Robeson County Fair is the 4-H Youth Goat Show. This year after animal check in, it was time to concentrate on one of the largest shows not only of the Robeson County Fair, but the circuit and the state. This year we had more than 60 youth participants with almost 100 goats. That lead to some great competition. We started the event with showmanship. This is where the youth enter the ring (based on age) and are judged for their showing abilities. First off was the cloverbud division. The cloverbuds are 5-8 year olds who have the opportunity to show, but are in a noncompetitive age division. Each child receives a trophy for their efforts. This year showing in the cloverbud division were: Eli Maske, Taylor Chappell, Braxton Butler, Kane Butler, Tyler Gerald, Alex Chappell, Madison McInnis, and Noah Beeson.

Competing in the Junior 9-10 age division were; Faith Thompson, Delani Reep, Savannah Chappell, Coleman Berry, Liberty Cooper, Abigail Hamilton, Grace Fehlman, Eddie Deberry, Thomas Smith, and McKenzie Beeson. After being in the ring and talking with the judge Eddie Deberry walked away with the white ribbon, McKenzie Beeson received the red ribbon, and Savannah Chappell took home the blue ribbon.

In the Junior 11-13 age division the competition got even tougher. Competing in this age division were; Cara Smith, Kayla Butler, Alana McQueen, Kristi Reep, Peggyann Kennedy, Madelyn Chappell, Benjamin Herndon, Michaela McInnis, Brianna Hamilton, Jordan Carroll, Davis Moye, Zac Gerald, and Jaylyn McNair. When the dust had settled in the ring Cara Smith took home third place, Benjamin Herndon took home second, and Michaela McInnis took home the blue ribbon.

The competition multiplied in the senior age division of 14-19 years old. Literally multiplied. Competing in this round were; Grayson McQueen, Morgan Rockwell, Sarah Maske, Nathan Ezzell, Santiago Robinson-Acuna, Dixie Acorn, John Ronald Walton, Jeremy Fehlman, Morgan Huneycutt, Brandon Coats, Sarah Best, HenriAnna Joyner, RayAnn Eldridge, Skyler Powell, Penny King, Sebastian Gomez, Miguel Ortega, Kacie Beeson, Austin Wilson, and Wesley Lewis. After competing in a crowded ring, Dixie Acorn walked way with third, Morgan Honeycutt took home the red ribbon and John Ronald Walton took home the blue.

The fun wasn't over yet. Our cloverbuds got a chance to go back into the ring for extra practice with their very own show. Then it was time for our older 4-H members to take on the market goat show. In this show goats are shown based on their weight. There are three divisions; lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight. This year the lightweight division was made up of goats weighing between 37 and 69 pounds. We had 25 competitors in this division; Liberty Cooper with Jackson, Eddie Deberry with Piedmont, Thomas Smith with Izzy, Abigail Hamilton with Mudflap, Clara Smith with Boo Boo, Grace Fehlman with Gibbs, Jaylyn McNair with Kirby, Eddie Deberry with Flower, Kristi Reep with Red, Coleman Berry with Elliot, Kacie Beeson with Moon Pie, Kayla Butler with Billy Bob, Dixie Acorn with Winchester, Zac geral with Buddy, Morgan Rockwell with Walker, Delani Reep with SweetBabyRay, Savannah Chappell with Toby, Michaela McInnis with Apache, Madelyn Chappell with Eeorye, McHaela McInnis with Pebbles, Teresa Fehlman with Nighmare, Jeremy Fehlman with Dawn, Sarah Maske with Munchkin, McKenzie Beeson with Cora, Grayson McQueen with Hershey, Santiago Robinson-Acuna with Road Runner. After all the action settled down in the ring the judge had a tough decision. In the end Zac Gerald with Buddy took home the white ribbon, Michael McInnis with Apache took home the red ribbon, while Santiago Robinson-Acuna with Road Runner took home the coveted blue ribbon.
In the middle weight division there were 34 competitors. The goats weights ranged from 71-89 pounds. The competitors in this division were; Kristi Reep with Piere, Michaela McInnis with Sunshine, Brandon Coats with SlingBlade, Madison McInnis with Pixie, Eddie Deberry with Nibbler, Morgan Rockwell with Texas Ranger, Kane Butler with Happy, Coleman Berry with Stampede, Alayna McQueen with 1704, Faith Thompson with Fireball Nathan Ezzell with 1756, Abigail Hamilton with Blossom, HenriAnna Joyner with Steve, Michaela McInnis with Chiingy, Morgan Honeycutt with Pickles, John Ronald Walton with Jimmy, Santiago Robinson-Acuna with Phoenix, Benjamin Hernodn with Trafalgar, Peggyann Kennedy with Spunky, Brianna Hamilton with Wags, Sebastian Gomez with Pablo, Rayann Eldridge with Billy, Kayla Butler with Bocephus, Santiago Acuna-Robinson with Chico, Dixie Acorn with Muzzle Load, Jordan Carroll with Gunsmoke, Morgan Honeycutt with Drewster, Madelyn Chappell with Baby-loo, Taylor Chappell with Chewy, Abigail Hamilton with Specs, Faith Thompson with Cracker Jack, Coleman Berry with Phineas, Sarah Maske with Strawberry, Dakota Clark with Jethro, and Dakota Clark with Lee. In the market shows we do not allow cloverbuds to show however they can get an older showman to show their goat for them, and in the case of a showperson have more than one goat in the same market division we do allow that person to find a subsititute showperson to show the goat in the ring for them. When it was all over with Abigail Hamilton and Specs took home third place, Dakota Clark with Jethro took home second, and Dakota Clark with Lee took home first place.
Next up, heavy weight division. This division had 29 compeititors with goat weights ranging from 90-140 pounds. Compeititors in this weigh division included; Dalton Sells with Darel, Nathan Ezell with Doe, Davis Moye with Rhino, Sarah Best with Weezy, Savannah Chappell with Honeydew, Nathan Ezzell with 1697, Madelyn Chappell with Cooperhead, Coltin Caldwell with Fred, McKenzie Beeson with Butterscotch, Grayson McQueen with 1705, McKenzie Beeson with Vallie, Wesly Lewis, John Ronald Walton with No. 1, Austin Wilson, Brianna Hamilton with Revolution, Jordan Carroll with Fancy, Quindon Rackley with Dirty Harry, Skyler Powell with Shady, Thomas Smith with Vanilla, Kacie Beeson with Mollie, Dalton Sells with Pistol, Jordan Corrol with Supersport, Brianna Hamilton with Caution, Noah Beeson with Minnie, Jordan Carroll with Loretta, Dixie Acorn with Bullet, Grace Fehlman with Nevada, Clara Smith with Chocolate, Michaela McInnis with Roxie, and Eddie Deberry with Annabelle. When it was all said and done Madelyn Chappel and Cooperhead walked away in third place, Dalton Sells and Pistol took home the red ribbon, and Dalton Sells with Daryl took home first place.

It was then time for the grand and reserve champion drives. The first place goats from all three weight divisions were brought into the ring. Dalton Sells with Daryl took home the grand champion trophy while Dalton Sells with Pistol (the second place goat brought in after grand champion was chosen) took home reserve Champion. Congratulations to all of our 4-H winners!!!

After the official 4-H show we have the adult and youth meat goat breeding show. This show is for does and bucks, with the goats being shown by birth date. This is a very popular show with many of the 4-H members staying on to participate. Below is the list of competitors, with their goats, and the placings in this show.

Percentage Doe

Born after 4/1/11-6/30/11
Moye, Davis with Haley's Comet, 1
Evans, Pam with Jeanie, 2
Fehlman, Teresa with V (0018), 5
Fehlman, Jeremy with Alexis, 4
Deberry, Eddie with Flower, 3

Born after 1/1/2011-3/31/2011
Robinson-Acuna, Santiago with Phoenix, 4
Hamilton, Brianna with Revolution, 3
Hamilton, Abigail with Blossom, 6
Moye, Davis with Trixie, 1
Walton, John Ronald with FSW Zinger, 5
Fehlman, Teresa with The Nitemare, 9
Fehlman, Jeremy with Dawn, 8
Honeycutt, Morgan with Hollywood, 2
Deberry, eddie with Nibbler, 7
Smith, Cara with BoBoo, 11
Smith, Thomas with Izzy, 12
Beeson, Kacie with Moon Pie, 10

Born after 10/1/10-12/31/10
Ezzell, Nathan with Doe, 1
Honeycutt, Eric with Sahara, 2

Born after 4/1/10-9/30/10
Honeycutt, Eric with Brownie, 3
Evans, Alex with Sally, 1
Evans, Ashley with Marvelous, 2

Born after 9/1/09- 3/31/10
Beeson, Noah (CB) with Cora, 6
Beeson, McKenzie with Vallie, 5
Moye, Davis with Yellow Bell, 1
Honeycutt, Morgan with Abracadabra, 2
Smith, Cara with Chocolate, 3
Smith, Thomas with Vanilla, 4

Born after 8/01/08- 8/31/09
Walton, John Ronald BRGF Star, 4
Walton, John Ronald with Daisey Mae, 3
Walton, John Ronald with TJD1 Rachel, 2
Crumpler, Christy with Ruby, 1
Fehlman, Grace with Nevada, 6
Honeycutt, Morgan with Lady Gaga, 5
Beeson, Kacie with Mollie, 9
Beeson, McKenzie with Butterscotch, 7
Beeson, Noah (CB) with Minnie, 8

Before before 8/1/08
Crumpler, Kevin with Dori, 1
Crumpler, Christy with Firefly, 3
Crumpler, Christy with Starlight, 2
Evans, Pam with Trixie, 5
Evans, Terry with Sissy, 6
Honeycutt, Morgan with Magnolia, 4
Debrry, Eddie with Annabelle, 8
Deberry, Susan with Isabelle, 7

Grand Champion Davis Moye with Yellow Belle
Reserve Champion Davis Moye with Trixie

Full Blood Doe

Born after 4/1/11-6/30/11
Rockwell, Morgan with Isabelle, 3
Evans, Alex with Peaches, 4
Evans, Joyce with Isabelle, 1
Honeycutt, Eric with Tater, 2

Born After 1/1/2010-3/31/2011
Carroll, Jordan with Fancey, 1
Simmons, Scott with Rose, 2

Born After 10/1/10-12/31/10
Rockwell, Morgan with Houdinni, 4
Carroll, Jordan with Loretta, 1
Walton, John Ronald with FSW Twinky, 2
Honeycutt, Morgan with Big Red, 3

Born After 4/1/10-9/30/10
Evans, Joyce with Lollipop, 1
Evans, Alex with Patches, 3
Evans, Pam with Abbygail, 2

Born After 9/01/09- 3/31/10
Rockwell, Morgan with Ginger, 2
Walton, John Ronald with FSW Morgan, 1

Born After 8/01/08-8/31/09
Honeycutt, Eric with Spot-O-Gold, 1

Born Before 8/1/08
Rockwell, Morgan with Cloe, 5
Rockwell, Morgan with Daisy, 6
Dial, Earnest with Galaxy, 2
Evans, Ashley with Gracie, 4
Evans, Pam with rebecca, 7
Huneycutt, Morgan with Lola, 3

Grand Champion is Davis Moye with Daffidill
Reserve Champion is John Ronald Walton with Morgan

Full Blood Bucks

Born after 4/1/11-6/30/11
Evans, Alex with Brutus, 1

Born after 9/1/09- 3/31/10
Dial, Earnest with Mr. BoJangles, 1

Born after 8/01/08- 8/31/09
Dial, Earnest with Bud Light, 1

Before before 8/1/08
Dial, Earnest with Bud BadBoy, 1
Evans, Richard with Treebrand, 2

Grand Champion is Tommy McPhail with Budlight
Reserve Champion is Tommy McPhail with Bad Boy Bud

Who's the Fairest of them All?

Today marks the opening of the 66th annual Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair. It also marks the unveiling of all the hard work our 4-H members and volunteers have done with the club fair booths. Over the last few years there has been increased competition in this wonderful fundraising opportunity for our clubs. This year there were 13 booths in the 4-H area that answered the question...."4-H is...?". For each of our clubs 4-H is a little something different, which is hard for some people to understand. You see the concept of cows and cooking still are strong images when people see the clover. However I think our clubs did their best to illustrate the different attributes of 4-H.
This year the clubs that set up booths included: Bladen Ambassadors, Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club, Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club, Horsin' Around 4-H Horse Club, Inspirational Youth Leaders, Spiritual Generations, St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, Super Clovers, United We Stand, Voices in Praise 4-H club, and Young Leaders. Over the past few years the fair booths have gotten very competitive. While it is a good spirited competition we must admit that that the creativity and quality of the booths has really increased as well. "I would say several of these booths are state fair quality booths," said Cathy Graham the Robeson County Extension Director. That is one of the things that made it hard for our judge this year. He spent more time trying to determine a winner in the 4-H booths than the other two areas combined. He narrowed it down to three, then two. Then he judged all the booths and came back to put on the ribbon for the best overall booth. When it was said and done the Dirty Rascals Junior Master gardener 4-H Club took second place for their thriller, spiller filler booth while the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club took first and best overall for their fired up on safety booth.
St. Paul's and the Lumber River Federation FFA booths also took first and second in the FFA division. Congratulations to all of our booth winners at the fair!

Booths aren't the only place to see 4-H members at the fair. You can see some of their handiwork as part of the crafts, crops and art exhibits. Starting Saturday you will be able to see their hard work at the fair for those who raised animals. 4-H Animal check in starts at 8 am in the livestock building. Our first 4-H show of the season will begin at 2 pm.

Growing Communities

Robeson County Farmers have the opportunity to make a difference for Robeson County 4-H youth and Volunteers. Once again this year Monsanto is rewarding farmers and supporting agricultural education through their Growing Communities program. Eligible farmers have the chance to win $2,500 dollars that will go to a local nonprofit of their choice. Entrants must be 21 years or older and actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of vegetables grown in protected culture. Entrants must reside in eligible counties where a minimum of 30,000 acres of corn and/or soybeans and/or cotton and/or vegetables are planted each year (Robeson County is an eligible county). Farmers who were eligible and/or participated in the program in 2010 may also make an application for 2011 if they meet the eligibility requirements.

To register all a farmer has to do is go to Monsanto's Grow Communities web site and register. If you know an eligible farmer please ask them to register and choose Robeson County 4-H as their benefactor. Farmers have until November 30th to register.

Focusing In on the Fair

The Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club met to finalize their fair booth plans. As part of their meeting they painted objects that would go in the booth, planned the spacing and what supplies might be needed for the youth to bring to finish off their booth. The plans for this club's booth are also top secret. So top secret as a matter of fact that we could not take photos of the plans for the blog post.

Also as part of this meeting the club members were required to give a speech on shooting sports. Each member did a impromptu speech which ranged on topics from safety to rifle mechanics, and even the benefits of different shooting positions. After receiving feedback from their club leaders Larry Russ and Peggy Monk the group finished up the details of their fair booth props and then adjourned.

The next club meeting will be held on October 28th at the Robeson County Fair Grounds starting at 4:30 to set up their fair booth.