FARMINGTON — Alumni of 4-H checked hooves, prodded and gently pulled cattle around Worthley Arena at Farmington Fair on Monday night.

It was part of the 100th year anniversary celebration of 4-H.

There were displays and photos at Farmington Fair but “to celebrate the 100th year, we wanted to do something special and different,” announcer Judy Smith said, as she invited former 4-H members and leaders to sign up to show dairy animals once again.

After watching young 4-H members and some upcoming members, ages 5 to 8 years, show different categories of cattle, former members got back in the show ring and took a turn. It was something some of them had not done in years.

“It was pretty cool,” Morgan Turner of Chesterville said. Turner took first place in the 19- to 30-year-old class with a Brown Swiss borrowed from local farmers who had cattle to show at the fair.

Turner was in 4-H for about 10 years, she said. Coming back into the ring was like riding a bike, one doesn’t forget, she agreed, even though now she raises beef cattle instead of dairy.

Sometimes, though, the cattle have a “mind of their own,” she said.

Several of the cows were already shown in the younger 4-H show and were beginning to tire by the time the alumni took over.

Twenty-four former 4-H members tried their hand at showing Monday in three age categories, 19 to 30, 30 to 50, and over 50. There were eight members and borrowed cattle in each category. Some were dressed in whites as required for the young showmen.

They were judged by several of the younger 4-H members, who had just finished showing along with the help of Jim Davis.

Some alumni continued on with farming after 4-H. Some have only kept an interest while pursuing other interests in life.

Henry Hardy, who took first place in the 30-50 category, owns Hardy Farm in Farmington. Some of his cattle were used for the show.

Bertha Ranger Smith of Farmington was in 4-H for nearly 10 years and was State Dairy Champion in 1964, she said. Smith helped her mother, Mae Ranger, lead a Red Schoolhouse 4-H group for several years.

Sometimes, she had to gently pull the Brown Swiss around the ring.

Lew Emery of Chesterville took first place in the over 50 category. John Archer took second, Doug Oliver, third, and Pam Harnden, fourth.

The top four winners of each category were awarded chips and candy for their efforts.

The point of showmanship is normally showing how much the person has worked with and trained the cattle, Harnden said while watching the younger showmen.

Along with the Alumni Dairy Show, 4-H alumni can compete in a baking contest Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall. Each will prepare a gingerbread for judging.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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