In 2021, Idaho 4-H reinstated a state dairy judging contest after a 30-year hiatus. In early October 2024, Idaho sent four young women to represent the state at the National 4-H Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.

Working hard works, well, until it doesn’t. And it doesn’t always work when my girls enter the show ring for the market judging class during the county fair.

It’s county fair week, or at least it is at the time of me writing this (the first week of August) it is. When I was younger it was my favorite time of year. It was like Christmas morning. The one where you just can’t wait. You’re excited, jittery with anticipation.

Participating in the 4-H dairy project is much more than exhibiting a heifer at Achievement Day. Many life skills are learned through the project that can lead to a love of the dairy industry.

MYBEP connects young cattle enthusiasts with cattle producers and facilitates a mentorship relationship between the two. MYBEP participants receive a heifer calf to raise, show and start their own herd with.

I try to do my best to warn people about the realities of country living versus the little-red-barn, paint-by-number version. For some reason, I feel a particular responsibility to be the warning angel of the 4-H sector. Take, for example, steers.

Less than 10 years after competing on the coloured shavings of World Dairy Expo in showmanship, Charlton will be back to place the Junior competition.

Growing up on a farm and then raising kids on one can be challenging, yet ultimately rewarding. This was the inspiration behind the creation of a podcast by dairy farmer Arlene Hunter and beef and sheep farmer Caite Palmer.

Grangeville student takes showing livestock to community youth clinic.