A place of their own

Good morning, everyone. It was almost midnight Monday when Conner and I finally got home from the fairgrounds.

Boy, was it a busy day for us. Dad got us up early so we could load up our rabbits that we were showing and make sure all of the animals were fed and watered before we left for the day.

Once we arrived at the fairgrounds, we set up our canopy tent and put the rabbits underneath so they would get plenty of shade. We then checked on the pigs, goats and sheep to make sure they had food and water. Then it was time to get registered for the rabbit show.

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Our friend, Makayla, and cousin, Camden, also were showing for their first time.

I think they had fun and hope they learned that it takes a lot of time and hard work even for a small animal to get them ready for show day.

Once the show got going, so did the temperature. We had to make sure we stayed hydrated as well as the rabbits. During the show, I won a trophy for my champion Harlequin. Next, Conner and I showed our Lionhead does. In a tough field of about nine Lionheads, Conner won champion Lionhead with his doe named Bonnie. This made him very happy as it was his first trophy.

Once the rabbit show was over, it was time for what would normally be the poultry show. Since the outbreak of the avian flu, we were not able to show any live poultry. We had the choice of doing a poster or demonstration. I chose to do a poster on avian flu and won champion on that.

Next, it was on to the egg judging. Normally, we would have to show a hen in order to be able to show eggs, but since we were not allowed to show live birds, anyone was allowed to show eggs. For the third year in a row, our hens have produced the grand champion eggs in which Conner won with his Copper Maran eggs, and I won reserve grand champion with my Buff Orpington eggs.

Next, it was time to get our myotonic does ready for the show. Mom watched and made sure we were doing things right, while Dad helped out in the show arena with the 4-H Boer show. Although I did not win any individual placings, I went out and tried my best and had fun. The myotonic goats that come from Moenning Hill Farm and Circle of 7 Farm are hard to beat. One positive from the show is Conner went out and worked his goat hard in the show arena and came away with the reserve rookie showmanship award.

Once the show was over, it was time to help clean the show arena. Once this was completed, we did our final checks on our animals, and then it was time to head home. Another busy day awaited Tuesday. On Tuesday, I was going to compete in the 4-H fashion revue with my sewing project, followed by the swine show.

Congratulations to all of the 4-H members that placed in their shows Monday, and good luck to the ones who have yet to show. Keep working hard on your projects, and have fun doing it.

Your 4-H Friend,

Allison Wynn

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Name: Allison Wynn

Age: 12

Residence: Freetown

Education: Seventh-grader at Brownstown Central Middle School in the fall

Organizations: 4-H, youth softball league

Family: Parents, Jason and Amy Wynn; siblings, Conner, 9, Maggie, 4, and another sister on the way

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