Hi,
It was with great pleasure that I finally met up with Mike G and his son Myles at Wagner Farm in Glenview. I arrived in time to see Myles walk his lamb Triska around the farm. Later on this summer when Myles is judged on his animal husbandry, his ability to guide Triska will be part of the evaluation. These walks are educational for both Myles and Triska, because they need to learn to work together. This includes posing the animal for the judges to evaluate his physique. To get a sense of some of Myle's responsbilities toward fulfilling this project are outlined in
Showing and Fitting Your First 4-H Lamb.
When Myles led Triska on a leesh back to his pen, another lamb darted out.
It got even a bit more exciting when a third lamb attempted escape. At one point I was handed Triska's leesh while Father and son secured the other two lambs, then returned them all to the pen. It may not be obvious, but there are three lambs in this photo:
I learned earlier in the week, the horses had knocked down the pen allowing all the lambs to roam free. While Mike and Myles had their challenge stemming off the great escape. I can imagine the fun there was to chase all the lambs scattered all about.
When Myles is tending his lamb, he is also responsible to feed hay, lamb chow and water his fellow 4-H member's lambs. Of course, the parent is an important partner in helping out.
I was impressed by the clasp used to anchor the water bucket to the fence to keep it from tipping. Perhaps an idea that could be borrowed to anchor garbage cans often tipped and invaded by raccoons.
After Mike and Myles left for home, I watched the 4-H leader feed the project pigs.
I had learned from Myles there was maybe a $10-$15 increase in cost for raising a pig as opposed to the lamb. Simply watching the pigs moving about in the mud that was up to their knees. I think Myle's Mom missed the laundry challenge of her lifetime trying to keep Myles in clean clothes. I could just imagine Myles having to change clothes before making the journey home.
I quiped to the 4-H leader if the pigs walking through the mud caused them to loose weight. She said it actually has the positive affect of strengthening their legs and improving their muscle tone. Looking through the foodie looking glass, does this mean a better ham? These pigs get fed, exercised and have sunblock massaged into their skin. They also get walked about like Myle's lambs, because this is a necessary skill for showing them at competition.
I just checked the
Lake County Fair schedule. The judging of swine and sheep will be at 9 AM on July 24th, which could be quite interesting to see. The auction will begin at 1 PM on July 26th. The auction has quite of bit of interesting people watching from marriage proposals to animals simply not cooperating to the surprisingly high (and low) prices these animals auction. If you go to the cafeteria, you can see the highest bidders memorialized on the walls. Yes, there are prizes given to those who spend their money wildly. Pritzker's have a farm in Lake County and they usually are mentioned. If you want an opportunity to taste the pigs, then go to
St. Mary's annual pig roast the weekend following the Lake County Fair. I will post it on events as we approach.
I have judged 4-H culinary competitions in the past. The initial phase of judging is the child's completion of his project. If he did everything that was expected, then they get a blue ribbon. If they did most but could still need improvement, then they get a red ribbon. If they need substantial improvement, then a judge can offer a white ribbon or none at all. At the child's option, they can be interviewed by the judge before a final ribbon decision is made. All blue ribbon projects in a class are then judged and ranked for champion and alternate champion. All the champion projects are judged and ranked for Grand Champion and Runner up Grand Champion. The judges also select which children's projects go to State Fair as well as alternates, though the kids need to be at least 10 years old to ber considered. The kid learn a lot of life skills if they work through all their project requirements from data collection to presentation skills.
I wish Myles well on this experience of a lifetime as well as his parents.
Regards,
_________________
Cathy2
"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
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