A team of four Pennsylvania 4-H members recently competed in dairy judging contests in Scotland and Ireland. The team placed first at the Clonmel Agricultural Show in Ireland.
The team members were Sara Haag, of Berks County; Madelynn Hoffman, of Lancaster County; Morgan Smoker, of Mifflin County; and Ellie Curtis, of Warren County.
They qualified to represent the United States at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland, after winning the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo, held last October in Madison, Wisconsin. The team was selected from the top-ranking contestants at the Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in June 2022.
The team worked together to place classes, which is something they had never done before in U.S. contests. They also visited several dairy farms and learned about different farming practices.
The trip was a great way to celebrate their accomplishments and to make new friends. They also got to see some amazing sights, including Blarney Castle and Stone, Culzean Castle, St. Andrews Golf Course, and Stirling Castle.
The team members said that they are grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this amazing experience. They hope that more kids get involved in 4-H and find their passion in something.
4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens.
Photo Credit: digital-visionphotodisc-photo
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Dairy Cattle