By Brandie Gay
In the heart of rural Missouri, where cornfields and beanfields stretch to the horizon and community bonds run deep, there exists a transformative force: 4-H.
The 4-H emblem—a four-leaf clover—stands tall, symbolizing head, heart, hands, and health—the pillars of growth. For generations, this youth development program has nurtured young minds, teaching them life skills, leadership, and the value of community.
There are a few local young 4-H kids that have excelled at the two local county fairs. The Millers, McCurdy’s, and Cravens. Brother and sister duo, Kylie and Dillon Miller live outside of Vandalia and competed at the Ralls County Fair.
Kylie had two indoor exhibits, one a quilt selected for state, and her craft project—a snowman selected for state. Kylie received the Best Arts n Crafts Project Award, Grand Champion in County Market lamb, For the Rabbits, Kylie had Grand champion overall Doe, Reserve Champion Class 6 Sr Buck, Reserve Champion overall Class 6, Best in Show class 6, Grand Champion Sr Doe, and Grand Champion in county Meat Pen.
Her brother Dillion placed first in Archery, First in .22, Reserve Grand Champion in County Market lamb, Jr Showmanship in Rabbits, Reserve Champion Class 4 Jr Doe, Reserve Grand Champion overall Doe, Reserve Grand Champion single Fryer, Reserve Grand Champion overall Class 6 Doe, Best in Show overall, and Best in Show 4 Class Rabbit.
They both won numerous prizes, such as chairs, belt buckles, carrying cages, a grooming stand and a tattooer for their rabbits.
Another brother and sister duo also showed rabbits in the Montgomery County Fair.
Adrianna and Kolton Craven live outside of Wellsville/Middletown.
For senior Doe, Kolton got a red ribbon, Adrianna got a white ribbon. For younger buck, Kolton got a blue ribbon and Adrianna got a red ribbon. Kolton received Reserve Overall Buck. Kolton also showed chickens. Kolton won a red ribbon with his rooster. With his white Rhode hen Kolton won a red ribbon—a blue ribbon with his large hen, and a red ribbon with his newer chicken.
The last family that showed in the Montgomery County Fair, McCurdy’s. Katelyn, Megan and Chase McCurdy live outside of Vandalia. These siblings showed chickens and pigs. Chase placed grand champion with his chickens, and Katelyn placed reserve grand with her chickens. Megan and Katelyn both placed first in their pig classes with Katelyn placing Grand champion with the Duroc barrow on hoof and for overall Katelyn placed reserve with her hog, and Megan placed third with her Berkshire barrow.
Katelyn also received senior showmanship awards with her chickens and in swine. The kids also had some of their 4-H projects go to state and old threshers.
Megan painted a swine brush purple with the saying, “I will get over it I just need to be dramatic.”
Katelyn’s photo of two buff chickens that got chosen for State and Chase’s stalk of corn he grew got selected for state, and his bunch of wheat he grew got chosen to be displayed at old threshers.
The kids do enjoy their livestock projects, especially Megan and her pigs. She loves talking to Michael Jennings with Jennings Show Pigs where she bought her pigs, and She loves going to get the feed from Jim Nutter at Pet Pros in Middletown and talking about swine nutrition.
Chase also gets his chicken meat bird feed from Jim, and we really appreciate all of them for their help throughout the kid’s projects.