Life On The Farm As The Years Fly Bye

We All Learn At a Different Pace

What did I learn about myself through my 4-H participation?

I learned that it is not easy to be 16 and on the edge of adulthood.

Head - to clear thinking, when giving your word to someone, think about how it will affect your heart if you buckle to peer pressure and go against your morals and ethics .

Heart - to greater loyalty; loyalty is something that is given freely and cannot be demanded or forced upon someone.

Hands - to larger service, you can only do what you feel is right and work hard to achieve your goals.

Health - to better living; if your word is your honor, and you stand fast to your morals and ethics; loyalty will come to you freely, your goals will be realized, and you will make a difference in the world around you.


I love 4-H !


Peer pressure is one of the hardest things we face; stay true to yourself no matter how hard it is and make a difference!

4H My Journey

Farmer's Hands Video

2011-2012 Western National Roundup

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Horse Trainer Toby Lapp Donates his time to the Hodge Podgers 4-H Club


This year the Hodge Podgers 4-H club had their first meeting on December the 16th 2012, and it started off with a workshop on the ground worked needed for young horses.

 

My 4-H club had the honor of having one of Idaho’s best horse trainers Toby Lapp giving of his time and knowledge to educate our club in the basics and importance of the ground work needed to have a respectful and disciplined horse.

 

Toby Lapp worked with three horses at different stages, all of which were not very far along.

 
 
The first horse Mr. Lapp worked with was a pony that had never been touched (wild) not even to have a halter put on. By the time he was done with the pony; it was haltered, leading, obeying every command that Mr. Lapp asked of her, and as cool as a cucumber not at all the animal that had to be unloaded into the pen straight from the trailer.

the yellow flag was used to rub the horses
 
 
















The second was another pony that was spoiled would not lesson could be rode but only for a short time and then as Haden but it, “it was the most stupid pony ever”. On this pony Mr. Lapp worked on desensitizing, and sensitizing. With this pony it took a while but it to came around.
 
 

The third was my horse Windy; she was halter broke, could be lead, her feet have been messed with and I had started working a little with the lunge line. Windy has a mind of her own, strong willed, and this was the first trip in the horse trailer in three years. When dad went to get her out of the trailer I was not sure what would happen Windy had never seen a horse barn or been in one. Coming through the door you could tell she was a little worried ( no wreck yet) dad lead her to the pen; Mr. Lapp ask dad what her story was and dad said she had a mind of her own, and he had little to no time to work with her. With Windy Mr. Lapp went through the first two steps that he had on the pony’s just to make sure what stage Windy was at and said that each of the steps should be done every time you work with your horse.  

 











One of the most interesting things that I learned was how to help my horse to release the feel good endorphin and that when a horse head is below their withers it is releasing those endorphins and when their head is above the withers it is stressed and not thinking very well and you do not have their attention.


Toby Lapp has trained horse for 17 years; Starting to Finish Work, Cutting, Reining, Roping to Barrel Racing and Arena to Trail horses. If you need a trainer here is Toby Lapp telephone number you will be glad you called ( 208-212-3315)
 
I love Toby Lapp training mothods they are done in a humane and respectful way with the horse; I can't believe the difference in Windy.
 
 Thank Your Mr. Lapp!  

 

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2012 District III Livestock Skill-a-thon


 The District III Skill-a-thon contest was held  in Gooding County. 
Over 35 4-H members entered the contest from 5 different counties.
The age divisions included Clover Buds,
Junior 1, Junior 2, Intermediate, and Seniors.


The day started early with a work shop with different stations manned by Senior teens to assist those with learning the different skills needed to compete.


The skill-a-thon contest is a test of practical knowledge and covers 4 species, so Contestants have to know more than just the animal they show. Some of the categories include feed identification, breed identification, animal part identification, measuring ribeye and backfat, retail meat cut identification, feeds and feeding questions, judging hay samples and grain samples, and answering questions about how, where and why to give shots.


 This year the knowlege and fun was shared and had by all; before the contest begain we all had pizza and soft drinks.

This year placing are listed below.

Junior I
1st place tie Trey T. and Alexis N.
2nd Navada S.
3rd Josiah K.
4th John K.
5th Libby H.

Junior 2
1st place Kaycee T.
2nd Rose D.
3rd Thomas K.
4th Alicia E.
5th Jessica S.
6th Owen R.
7th Charlotte B.

Intermediate
1st place Wade T.
2nd Joesie D.
3rd MaKayla P.
4th Ellyana D.
5th Dustin A.
6th Lynnesy T.
7th Maria S.

Senior
1st place Cora I.
2nd Brianna R.
3rd Alexis C.
4th Braylee T.
5th Carlos C.
6th McKayla S.
7th Chris F














Clover Buds Wyatt and Gus



Junior I



Junior 2



Intermediates



Seniors



Sunday, November 18, 2012

4-H 2012 A Year In Review

2012 was a long year starting in January  with the 2011 4-H Western National Round Up In Denver Colorado.It was a non stop year, and before I new it the 2012 year came to a close. I love 4-H and it is hard to believe I am starting my 9th year; I guess time truly flies bye when you are doing something you love to do.

My goal when I started 4-H was to do the best that I could and only take projects that I was truly interested in, This year was a great year for me, I worked hard and as a result I was honored to received the following Certificates of Achievements for; Top Gaining 4-H market Beef, Outstanding 4-H Beef Project, Champion Registered Cow/Calf Pair, Outstanding 4-H Red Angus Breeding Project, the Magic Valley Cattle Association Award, 4-H Horse Cart Class Reserve Champion, Top Horse senior Record Book, Top Senior Horse Showmanship, Grand Champion Horse Showmanship, Top overall 4-H Horse project, Best County Horse Oral Presentation, Top District Horse Presentation, Top District Public Speaking Presentation, Second Overall District Senior  Presentation, Best Livestock Judging Project, Top Senior Livestock Judging team ( Lincoln County), First Place Overall Judging team FCS skills Contest, FCS Skills Contest Highest Senior Judge, Best Modeling Project, Top Modeling Project Model, Advanced Quilting, Advanced Consumer & Family Science , Citizenship, Leadership & Personal Development, and Best Overall Senior Non Animal Project. 

As I find myself closer to the end of my time in 4-H I want to state that my Heart belongs to the Beef and Agriculture Industry. These last few years I will work to pass the love and knowledge of Beef  and Agriculture Industry to the younger 4-H members, before heading off to College to pursue my dream of being an active member of the Beef Industry.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Future of the West

 This is my friend Kyle Bratton; Read all about him in the Angus ICON;

All it took was one show with his first heifer “Libby,” and Kyle was hooked.

Read this inspiring young Angus Breeders story.
 Future of the West

Gooding County 100years 100 pounds of food Drive

The Gooding County Fair is now in the history books and the Gooding County 4-H food drive is over.

We collected  949.5 pounds of food.

I am glad to say this was a high point for me, doing and organizing community service projects are always heart warming.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The 2012 Gooding County Fair Is Now In The History Books.

Steven (Red Angus)

This year my steer Steve (Red Angus) won the top gaining market steer award, he gained an average of 4.07 pounds per day.















Red Angus cow, sired by MBV Cherokee 326-SOL, with her bull calf sired by BJR JR 107
  














In addition, I my Cow/Calf (Register Red Angus) won Grand Champion Cow/Calf pair, and her bull Calf was champion Bull.










Commercial Heifer
My commercial Red Angus heifer also made into the spotlight as Champion Commercial Heifer.












Red Angus cross
 My Steer Buck was second in his weight class as was forth over-all

In horse showmanship, I placed first in the senior class and was Grand Champion over-all in Showmanship. I also received the top over-all best Horse book plaque, as well as winning County speech, and District speech contest; and I also placed third at the State horse public speaking contest. 

I had many FCS projects and will post them later after I complete the District. I will also post how I do at District Horse.







 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

2012 State Horse Public Speaking Contest

 On the road to Sandpoint, Idaho and the State Horse Public Speaking  Contest. Half the fun to competing in any contest is taking the journey. Here is a few pictures of my trip.









I placed third and had a great time!