New Haven--On July 8, Addison County 4-H hosted a dairy clinic for 4-H'ers to learn how to prepare their animal for optimal performance in the show ring. The clinic took place at the Addison County Fair and Field Days site in New Haven.
Showmanship coach Katie Coyne instructed 38 4-H dairy members from Addison and Chittenden Counties on washing and clipping, after which they worked on their own animal. In addition, Coyne, who is with Mill Wheel Show Clinics of Geneseo, New York, discussed animal nutrition and feeding as well as the products and tools to include in a fitting or clipping box.
Throughout the day, the youths practiced showing their animals to hone their showmanship skills and gain confidence in the show ring. The clinic concluded with a showmanship contest and pizza, courtesy of Farm Credit East, and giveaways from Cargill Animal Nutrition, Golden Link and Weaver Livestock.
Participants, listed by hometowns, were:
- ADDISON: Collin and Paige Chamberlin
- BRIDPORT: Desiree and Renee Plouffe, Rowdy Pope and Sophia Stocker
- BRISTOL: Brendan Gebo and Bella Roell
- COLCHESTER: Emma Edenfield and Noa Sauve
- FERRISBURGH: Caroline and Thomas Allen, Lola Rollins, Greyson VanderWey and Elianna Venables Vogel
- LINCOLN: Abigail Reen
- MIDDLEBURY: Emma Deering
- MONKTON: Hailey and Mackenzie Chase
- NEW HAVEN: Peyton Ball, Christopher Brown and Mason Livingston
- NORTH FERRISBURGH: Jordan Hutchins
- ORWELL: Augustus and Payton Lucas and Isabella Wilbur
- PANTON: Jayden Ploof and Kylee Shepard
- SHOREHAM: Gracelynn Barber, Sutton and Tenley Chittenden and Ava and Evan Wood
- WHITING: Caroline Compagna and Morgan White
- WILLISTON: Bristol, Colt and Remington Card
To learn more about the Vermont 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell, University of Vermont Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.