During the fair week Aug. 8-13, Potomac Valley 4-H members are busy with animal projects, non-animal projects and barn chores. Part of the Potomac Valley 4-H Club posed for a photos and all of the members were recognized for their support and hard work this year. PIctured (L-R): Cooper Hathaway, Tyler Ruff, Lyza Zupan, Aspen Zupan, Leah Nelson and Brayden Cooney.
Ashbeigh Hall had a breeding beef this year named Reba, with a calf by her side that Hall raised herself. "I am excited to show," Hall said. "I raised Nova from birth." Hall received all purple ribbons in the ring.
Wiley Kelley first year member's efforts brought him blues on his leathercraft projects (his knife sheath seen above) as well as purple for his Rhode Island Red hens.
Cooper Hathaway earned a blue ribbon for his poster on Archery Range Rules and Whistle Commands.
Cooper Hathaway began his Hog project with Freddy weighing in at 65 pounds in April. By Aug. 10 of fair week, Freddy weighed 256 pounds.
Potomac 4-Her Lur Hamon-Combe received a purple ribbon for her standard hen Beatrice. "Lur was so confident, happy and knowledgeable," said Potomac Poultry leader Tiffany Waletzko.
It is Leah Nelson's seventh year in 4-H. This year she took a heifer named Emmy in addition to her sheep projects. In addition to doing very well in her 4-H competitions, Nelson and her sheep Gidget won Overall Breed Reserve Grand Champion in the Open Class.
MISSOULA – Fourteen 4-H members from Potomac Valley stood up to the challenge and stood out with their projects at the 2022 Western Montana Fair.
Out of 29 members, projects that were represented included market animals, dairy, breeding and horse and dog showing as well as poultry, Cloverbuds, cooking, sewing, photography, archery and leatherwork.
County Extension Agent Campbell Barrett said despite the long hot days and short nights that fair week inevitably brings, in the 4-H barns everyone got along and worked together to present a good face to the public.
"There was a new exhibit area for non-animal projects upstairs," Barrett said. "Although it was different for the kids it brought new people walking by which means more exposure."
He commented that animal projects were up in numbers and the livestock sale was fantastic. Potomac 4-H members are looking to finish out their 4H year with finalizing book records and wrapping up their projects. Barrett added that Potomac members are hard workers and always have a clean presentable area in the barns.
Potomac Valley Organizational leader Allyson Nelson said the junior and senior Potomac 4-H members represented well.
"I'm so impressed by how much effort each kid puts into their project(s)," Nelson said. "It is a joy to watch the ups, and even the downs of Fair week, as each event provides a valuable learning opportunity. As these kids work together and learn from each other, they grow to realize the satisfaction of a job well done while building lifelong connections with their peers."
Potomac Valley 4-H Project Awards
All results are as of Aug. 15
Brayden Cooney: Sheep Interview, Red & Blue; Sheep Showmanship, Blue; Market Lamb, Red; Breeding Sheep, Blues; Cooking Project Interview, Purple and Cooking 101 Project, Blues; Photography Interview, Blue; Photography, Blue
Ashbeigh Hall: Market Beef and Breeding Beef Interviews, Blue & Purple; Market Beef, Purple; Beef Showmanship, Purple and Breeding Large Beef, Purples
Lur Hamon Combe: Poultry Interview, Purple; Poultry Standard Hen, Purple
Cooper Hathaway: Hog Interview, Purple; Market Hog, Blue; Hog Showmanship, Blue; Archery Interview, Red and Archery Project, Blue
Claire Kelley: Horse Interview, Purple; Western Games, Blue; Rabbit Interview, Red; Rabbits, Blue & Red; Rabbit Showmanship, Purple; Sewing Project interview, Blue; Sewing Projects, Reds
Wiley Kelley: Poultry Interview, Blue; Poultry Showmanship, Purple; Leathercraft Project, Red; Leathercraft Unit 1, Blues
Gracelynn Knapp: Dairy Goat Interview, Purple; Raising Dairy Goat, Purple; Grand Champion Overall Dairy Goat.
Leah Nelson: Market Lamb and Breeding Sheep interviews, Blue & Purple; Market Lamb, Blue; Sheep Showmanship, Purple; Breeding Sheep, Blue, Purple & Purple
Tyler Ruff: Market Lamb and Breeding Sheep interviews, Blues; Market Lamb, Red; Sheep Showmanship, Blue; Breeding Sheep, Red
Hudson Skelton: Cloverbud Certificate
Callum Waletzko: Poultry Interview, Blue; Poultry Showmanship, Purple; 1st place Junior Poultry Showman; 3rd place Senior Poultry Showman; Breeders Showmanship, Blue; Poster, Blue
Aspen Zupan: Dog Interview, Red; Dog Showmanship, Red; Dog Obedience, Purple; 2nd place Dog Olympics; Horse Interview, Blue; Western Games, Purple; Rabbit Interview, Red; Rabbit Showmanship, Blue; Rabbit, Purple; Archery Interview, Red and Archery Project, Red
Lyza Zupan: Cloverbud Certificate
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