Megan Taylor, 10, of East Randolph, Vt., encourages her Holstein steers Salt and Pepper to back a cart into a determined space during a 4-H working steer qualifying event at the Bradford Fair in Bradford, Vt., on July 16, 2017. It was Taylor's first time showing her one-year-old steers at a fair and she was competing for the experience. Others were gathering points in hopes of competing at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 22-25. "The Big E" is the largest agricultural event on the Eastern seaboard. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Megan Taylor, 10, of East Randolph, Vt., encourages her Holstein steers Salt and Pepper to back a cart into a determined space during a 4-H working steer qualifying event at the Bradford Fair in Bradford, Vt., on July 16, 2017. It was Taylor's first time showing her one-year-old steers at a fair and she was competing for the experience. Others were gathering points in hopes of competing at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 22-25. "The Big E" is the largest agricultural event on the Eastern seaboard. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Bradford, Vt. — The children and teenagers who participate in the 4-H Club working steers program are drawn to the activity for a number of reasons, but one thing seems to unite them.

“They definitely have a farm interest,” said Terri Chamberlin, of Pomfret, who oversees The Green Mountain Teamsters. “These animals have been used (on farms) for years.” For others, it’s even deeper than that. “It can be a family history connection as well,” she said.

The first competition of the year was held last weekend at the Bradford Fair. Some participants hope to attend The Big E, in Springfield, Mass. “The Eastern States (Exposition) is like the Super Bowl of the working steer program for the kids,” Chamberlin said.

The working steers event is broken down into three sections that are graded by a judge: fitting and showing, cart/obstacle driving and drag/pulling. “It’s a hard project to have,” said Wendy Sorrell, who is the 4-H Vermont livestock educator. “It’s a pretty intense program in that you’re doing it year to year.” It’s also a long-term commitment. “With working steer, you’re usually starting with calves that are pretty young and then they’re working with them to learn to work together,” Sorrell said.

Beyond farming and agriculture skills, 4-H programs instill life skills, such as responsibility. “Like most 4-H members, you’re going to find that they are very aware of what needs to be done in their project, but they’re more community active,” Sorrell said. “Studies have shown that when they’re older, they’re more likely to give back or they’re more likely to be active in their community.”

Geoff Hansen can be reached at ghansen@vnews.com or 603-727-3247. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

ghansen@vnews.com | 603-727-3247