Another 4-H year has come to an end and Grant County 4-H members have done extremely well in the multiple fairs around the state. It all started with the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque in September with their livestock and indoor exhibit projects. Elizabeth McDonald won first place in the animal category of the New Mexico 4-H Photo Contest with her "fawn in the forest" photo. The photo was on display at the State Fair in the 4-H indoor exhibits building for the public to admire. Carson Billings also won a blue ribbon with his leather craft work that he submitted for the 4-H indoor exhibit building. His leatherwork was of the same skill level as seasoned professional and was admired by many spectators at the State Fair.

Siblings Elizabeth and Emily McDonald as well as Alexa and Nolan Vermillion took several of their market lambs to the State Fair. Nolan Vermillion placed fifth in the Junior Market Lambs Blackface Division II Class 1 with one of his lambs and his sister Alexa placed third with one of her Blackface Lambs in the same class. Elizabeth and Emily McDonald also competed in the Junior Market Lamb Blackface Show and did well.

Also in attendance at the New Mexico State Fair were Trent Kasten and Kolby Taylor. Both young men took their market swine and competed in the Market Swine Show. After the State Fair both exhibitors went on to other fairs and placed very well.

In the Junior Market Steer Show, brothers Clell and Ketch Bays did an excellent job. In the Simmental Breed Class 2, Ketch Bays received sixth place. In the Crossbreeds Class 3, Clell Bays received second. Clell also was in the top three for the Senior Showmanship. Both brothers did an exceptional job representing Grant County and displaying all of their hard work with such a large animal over an extended 4-H project period. Showing cattle is a true commitment and not for the faint of heart.

Cursten Blanton competed in the Junior Breeding Heifer Show at the State Fair and did an outstanding job. In the Maine-Anjou Breed Class 5, Cursten and her bred heifer came in second. Breeding heifer projects are a long term project that requires extensive amounts of hard work, patience and dedication. Her heifer is currently bred and she will have her calf in February and Cursten will then continue showing with the calf. She has been working with, feeding and showing her heifer for a long time, and she will continue into the future with her and her calf for years to come.

On the heels of the State Fair was the Grant County Fair held in Cliff and Grant County 4-Hers excelled. In the Swine Show first Light Cross, went to Davis Atwater. Raelynn Moon won second Light Hampshire, as well as second Medium Cross. Second place Light Cross, went to Hannah Miller and second Heavy Hampshire, went to Victoria Morales. Grand Champion Hampshire was awarded to Kolby Taylor and Collin Golden had the Reserve Champion Hampshire. In the White OPB (Other Pure Breeds) Class, Aiden McDaniel had the Champion, and Reserve Champion went to Ian Valenzuela. The 2016 Swine Show Grand Champion Overall was awarded to Kolby Taylor.

In the Lamb Show in the Blackface Division, Riley Vermillion won first in class 5 and second in class 3. Alexa Vermillion won first in class 6 and second place in class 5 and 7. Breanna McDonald had the first place lamb in class 7 and Trayden Allred had the first place lamb in class 8 as well as the second place lamb in class 4. Isabella Anderson won second place in class 6 and Faith Wenzel won second in class 8. Champion Freckle Face Lamb went to Isabella Anderson. Grand Champion Lamb Overall went to Nolan Vermillion and Syndnee Allred won Reserve Champion Lamb Overall.

Increasing in popularity at the fair is the Goat Show. Megan Miller won Reserve Champion Market Goat. Another growing show is the Breeding Heifer Show. Cursten Blanton won Grand Champion Breeding Heifer and Keirsten Bloomfield won Reserve Champion. In the Rabbit and Poultry Barn, Riley Brabson won Grand Champion Rabbit and Domanic Newton won Reserve Grand Champion. Grand Champion Poultry went to Aiden Gutierrez and Reserve Champion went to Josh Agnew.

In the Steer Show this year some high quality calves were shown. First place in the Short Class, went to Cole McCauley and first place in the Medium Class, went to Keirsten Bloomfield. second place in the Short Class, was awarded to Megan Miller and in the Medium Class, Ketch Bays won second. Grand Champion Steer went to Cole McCauley and Reserve Champion went to Clell Bays. In a separate division, the Grand Champion County Bred Steer was shown by Keirsten Bloomfield.

In the Livestock Judging Contest, four buckles were awarded to each of the division champions. The Beginner Champion was Aiden McDaniel. In the top five for the Beginner Division were Aubrey McCauley, Faith Wenzel, Joseph Massengill and Elizabeth McDonald. The Champion in the Intermediate Division was awarded to Austin Harsh. Tanna Goar, Brooklyn Allred, Avery Wenzel and Nolan Vermillion were in the top five for the Intermediate Division. Megan Miller was the Champion of the Advanced Division followed by Breanna and Nemani McDonald, Cursten Blanton and Jeremy Gardner in the top five. An Open Division was also offered to the adults. Ty Bays was the Open Division Champion with Kyle McCauley, Ashley Moon, Hugh Reed and Lela Goar in the top five for the adults.
The Top Ag Award, which is awarded to an outstanding individual who excels both in the agriculture realm as well as in the community, this year was awarded to Breanna McDonald. The Top 4-H award is awarded to an outstanding 4-H member of any age, in any project. The award is given in memory of Loy Tate. This year the buckle was awarded to Cursten Blanton.

The 1st annual baking contest was a huge success. First place went to Avery Wenzel (Root Beer float cake). 4-H indoor exhibits sweepstakes winners were Senior, Kolby Taylor, Junior, Xavier Koury, second place Josh Agnew; Novice winner Rio Koury, second place Sarah Gardner. Judges favorites were Senior, Kolby Taylor (zucchini); Junior, Madison Miller (Mix and Match outfit) and Novice, Carson Billings (set of leatherwork, buffalo, oak leaves and acorns). Honorable mention went to Brye Baptiste for his Durango Silverton railroad picture. Also a sweepstakes award was given to Isabel Tovar, Sarah Gardner, Brooklyn Allred and Lizzy McDonald for the team effort on the "Quilt of Valor.Gǥ

Just a few short days after the conclusion of the Grant County Fair the Southern New Mexico State Fair began. Several exhibitors from Grant County did exceptionally well. Riley Brabson excelled in the Junior Market Rabbit Show placing first with one of his rabbits.

In the Junior Market Swine Show Trent Kasten stood out as he received second place in his class and Kolby Taylor received fourth in a different class. Connor McDaniel also did very well with one of his pigs getting sixth place.

Ryan Miller did very well placing first in his class in the Junior Market Steer Show. In the Junior Beef Breeding Heifer Show, once again Cursten Blanton did very well and placed fourth.

Other 4-H exhibitors from Grant County at the Southern New Mexico State Fair were Jeremy and JoAnna Gardner and Zola Brown.

To round out the fair season, Clell Bays placed sixth in his class at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Which ended the fair season for all of the exhibitors in Grant County.

From October 1 through December 16, 2016 is the enrollment period for all of our previous members and new members. Any boy or girl age 5 through 18 years of age, who enrolls in the 4-H Youth Development Program of the Cooperative Extension Service is a 4-H member. Cloverbuds is a program designed for 5-8 year olds participating in non-competitive, experientially-based Gǣlearn by doingGǥ activities. Novice members are age 9-11, Juniors 12-13 years old and Seniors are 14-18 years old. We have a complete list of the hundreds of projects that are offered through 4-H that are geared toward promoting confidence, leadership, teamwork, responsibility and enhance social skills. Stop by our office and pick-up an application at 2610 N. Silver St. in Silver City. You can also call and get more information at 575-388-1559. You can also follow all of the 4-H activities by liking us on Facebook Grant County 4-H.

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

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