Burlington--For Vermont 4-H'ers enrolled in the dairy, beef and working steer projects, November 14 was a day filled with opportunities to explore several bovine-related topics in depth.
Fifty-seven 4-H'ers from nine counties gathered at the Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center on the University of Vermont (UVM) campus in Burlington for the State 4-H Bovine Bonanza. They were split into groups, according to age, to learn about agricultural careers, calf health and nutrition, farm safety, milking parlors and tractor safety.
Certificates of participation were awarded at the conclusion of the UVM Extension 4-H- sponsored event to the following participants, listed by age group and county:
8- AND 9-YEAR-OLDS:
ADDISON: Thomas Allen, Ferrisburgh; Gracelynn Barber, Shoreham; Sutton Chittenden, Whiting
ORLEANS: Alex Maley, Irasburg
RUTLAND: Bailey Bowen and Talon Eugair, both from Florence; Gracie Bromley, Wallingford
WASHINGTON: Patrick Paquet, Ella Purchase and Katelyn Sibley, all from East Montpelier
WINDSOR: Amos Riesterer, Bethel
10- AND 11-YEAR-OLDS:
ADDISON: Caroline Allen, Ferrisburgh; Tenley Chittenden, Whiting; Kylee Shepard, Panton
CALEDONIA: Trevor Smith, Hardwick
CHITTENDEN: Remington Card, Williston
ORLEANS: Reegan Kelley, Derby; Emma Pothier and Carter Weikel, both from Newport Center
RUTLAND: Natalia Tarbell, Middletown Springs
WASHINGTON: Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier
WINDSOR: Sophia Fors and Austin Washburn, both from Bethel
12- AND 13-YEAR-OLDS:
ADDISON: Taryn Burns and Samuel Luis, both from Whiting; Jayden Ploof, Panton; Bella Roell, Bristol; Alexis Whipple, Bridport
CALEDONIA: Lillian Ball, Lyndonville; Ava Smith, Lyndon
CHITTENDEN: Bristol Card, Williston
LAMOILLE: Holden Marcelino, Johnson
ORANGE: Sylvia Johnson, Tunbridge; Leah Rogers, Randolph Center; Elizabeth Waterman, Thetford Center
ORLEANS: Eva Bury and Grace Patenaude, both from Derby; Emma Rowell, Greensboro
WASHINGTON: Ryder Curavoo, Berlin
WINDSOR: Dani Flint, Bethel
14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS:
ADDISON: Emma Deering, Middlebury; Torrey Hanna, Addison; Hailee Allen, Peyton Ball and Brailey Livingston, all from New Haven; Erin Whipple, Bridport; Morgan White, Whiting
CALEDONIA: Olivia Smith, Lyndon
RUTLAND: Patty Bruce and Emma Seward, both from Wallingford
16- TO 18-YEAR-OLDS:
ADDISON: Karissa Livingston, New Haven; Courtney Curler and Katherine Whipple, both from Bridport
ORANGE: Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge
ORLEANS: Aubrey Maley, Irasburg
RUTLAND: Rose Tarbell, Middletown Springs
WINDSOR: Dylan Slack, Bethel
Assisting Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, with the event were UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students Adele Biasini, Chelsey Patch, Kate Rowley and Emily Surrell and former 4-H'er Bethany Orvis. Adult volunteers included Matt Bodette, UVM dairy herd manager, and UVM Extension 4-H educators Lindy Birch, Margaret Coan and Martha Seifert.
To learn about the 4-H dairy program in Vermont, contact Wendy Sorrell at (802) 651-8343, ext. 513, or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.