Turkey Time

   Our 4-H Animal Science Show is the predecessor to the big State Turkey Show.  So after the show the turkeys were packed up and spent the night at their 4-H Agents house before being loaded up on a truck and driven to Raleigh.  There they were assigned pens, weighed and waited for their agent to get parked and then bring them food and water.  After making sure they were happy in their new digs at the state fair grounds (and what turkey wouldn't be happy there?) we put up signs so our 4-H members could find their birds and we went home to rest before our early trip on Thursday.

  We left even before the crack of dawn planning to arrive at the fairgrounds between 7 and 7:30 am.  However an accident derailed us and turned 40 into a parking lot.  So some frantic texts and a very kind and understanding person on the other end of those messages allowed our youth to still show their birds at the show...just maybe in a different order.

  First up was our cloverbud, known as a little gobbler in the turkey show lingo, Addie Shooter.  Addie showed her 21 pound bird.  When all was said and done she walked away with a fifith place ribbon.

  Her brother Jackson Shooter was up next.  Jackson was in the Jr Division.  He placed 11th in his heat.  It is important to remember that there were 212 turkey participants.  Those youth were broken down into three age categories; Little Gobbler, Juniors, and Seniors.  Within those age divisions there were multiple heats of 15 youth.  The top first and second birds from each heat came back for the grand and reserve champion drive.  In 2019 the grand champion bird took home more than $10,000.  So this is a competitive and difficult show.

  Up last was our senior division participant, Maggie Love.  Maggie showed her 19 pound bird in an extremely competitive division.  She placed 11th in her grouping that included birds weighing 30 pounds.  

 After all the fun the turkeys were loaded onto a trailer to take to market.  Our youth learned a lot about raising and caring for turkeys.  They also learned about showing and what to look for.  We are proud of all our turkey participants this year and those who made it all the way to state.  

  To see more of the show photos please click this link.  To learn more about this program please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.,edu