Union Farmer

Families Prepare for State Fair

to workout with a coach in Wessington Springs.

Continued from Page 13 rience, he says it’s all about the people.

“Meeting new friends is what I enjoyed most,” said Jesse, who adds that as a dad, he is happy his sons are involved because it keeps his sons busy.

And between workouts and training, Ryder does chores and along with Colton, he helps their younger sister, Tayzlee, learn how to show sheep and goats.

“My brothers help me get my animals to walk,” said Tayzlee, 9. “I like 4-H because I get to show animals.”

After watching her brothers show from outside of the ring, this year, Tayzlee is old enough to show livestock. She will be showing sheep and goats at the State Fair and her entire family will be there to cheer her on.

“I wouldn’t miss it. State Fair is one of the more enjoyable times of the year,” Garrett said. “Being able to spend time camping with my family and helping them get ready to show their animals, it’s a way for me to continue enjoying the entire experience.”

Paying it forward

Marty and Mandy have served as 4-H leaders since 2011. And they are not just focused on helping their four children succeed. In 2009, they helped with a local program that finds sponsors to cover 50 percent of the cost of a show sheep. Since that time, the program has expanded to include hogs and market goats.

“I source the sheep from area producers, then I put the kids’ names in a hat and draw their names for which kid gets which sheep. It’s luck of the draw what animal the kids will get. This way, it doesn’t matter if you’re a rich family, or a family that would struggle paying for the best genetics, it’s fair,” Marty said.

The family also holds a workshop each year to help teach new 4-H’ers how to fit and show their animals.

“We’ve seen how taking care of an animal and being involved in 4-H honestly change kids’ lives,” Mandy said. “Marty had people help him when he got started. We had people help us when our kids got started. We were helped and now we are in a position to help others.” n

Busy may be an understatement.

It is 7:30 a.m. and oldest son, Dusty, is at basketball practice. After practice he is going to help at the Brule County 4-H office as they prepare for Achievement Days. Then, he and his younger bothers will probably put in some time practicing for the upcoming 4-H rodeo.

4-H rodeo is Dusty’s passion. He jokes, “My favorite event is steer wrestling because I’m not very good with a rope, but I’m good at falling off a horse onto a steer.”

His 11-year-old brother, Ty, also likes 4-H rodeo best. “I’m not patient, so I don’t like working with cattle to get them ready for the fair. I like working with my horse and spending time with my cousins and friends who rodeo,” Ty explained.

Ty competes in breakaway and goat tying events. Brother, Austin, enjoys participating in 4-H rodeo, but he also loves working with and showing cattle.

And his brother, Ty is right, getting cattle ready for a show like the South Dakota State Fair does take patience. The process begins when calves are only 5 months old.

“When I bring the calves in, they are a little wild and it is a bit hard to work with them, but after I work with them for a few weeks, it gets easy,” Austin said.

Working with his show cattle is a daily commitment. Austin walks them and positions them like he would in the show ring. He also washes them each day.

“They get to be in the barn with fans blowing on them, so they stay nice and cool and washing them makes their hair grow and keeps their hide clean,” Austin explained.

2023

South Dakota State Fair is the show Austin is focused on right now. But he competes in other shows throughout the year, including Western Jr. in Rapid City. During the 2022 Western Jr. Livestock Show, Austin was among six youth to receive breeding stock – three ewes and three heifers – through South Dakota Farmers Union Herd Builder Scholarship program. The other youth are Jacob Jung, Mina; Rope Reis, Reliance; Madison Hofer, Freeman; Keeleigh Reis-Elwood, Oacoma; and Carissa Scheel, Alpena.

The heifer Austin received is doing well and is out grazing with the rest of his family’s herd.

Like their dad and mom, Austin and his brothers say they are grateful for their 4-H and FFA friends.

“It’s a special bond,” Austin explained. “Because we do the same things, so we can compare our showing experience and what we did right and what we did wrong, and we are there to congratulate each other on how we did that day.”

In addition to showing livestock and rodeo, the boys say being involved in 4-H and FFA has given them the opportunity to become better public speakers.

“During each 4-H meeting we can give a talk or demonstration, so I’ve learned to be a better speaker and I learned that it is not a big deal to speak in front of a bunch of other kids,” Austin said.

His brother, Ty, added, “And when I am in school and I’m asked to write an essay, I have something to write about because I can write about my rodeo involvement.”

With just two years of high school left, Dusty said involvement in FFA has him thinking about ag-related careers and the college major he may pursue.

“It has opened my eyes to what I can do in college and after college,” Dusty said.

After listening to their sons share what they enjoy and gain from involvement in 4-H and FFA, Becky said, “I am so proud to be raising another generation of 4-H and FFA members. These organizations had such a huge impact on my life and Jesse’s life.” n