Local youths head to Pennsylvania Farm Show
Shirley Christner believes youths like to participate in the Pennsylvania State Farm Show for a variety of reasons. “They have a lot of fun and meet people from all over the Pennsylvania. It’s a good experience because they not only show the animal but also have showmanship competition. It teaches them discipline, responsibility and communications skills,’ said Christner, a 4-H market goat club leader from Dawson.
Cathy Brady, extension agent, family and consumer services, 4-H/youth development for Fayette County, noted, “A lot of them like to go because of the educational displays and they’re proud of their projects and want to go on. There’s a lot of neat things to see.’
Approximately 50 local 4-H youths are headed to the Pennsylvania State Farm Show, which takes place in Harrisburg through Jan. 18.
Local officials report they are participating in swine, market lamb and market goat competition. The youths include:
Swine: Chuckey Anderson of Smithfield, Amanda Hixenbaugh of Fairchance, Josh Crawford of Smithfield, Skyler Perkins of Smithfield, David Stanish of Uniontown, Nick Stanish of Uniontown, Daniel May of Mill Run, Chris Petruska of Smock, Kristi Rooker of Uniontown, Corey Harper of Uniontown, Steven Harper of Uniontown, Jacob Diamond of Smithfield, Chris Diamond Jr. of Smithfield, Daniel Kooser of Brownfield, Jacob Desko of McClellandtown, Matt Desko of McClellandtown, William Bibby of Ruffsdale, Ashley Brothers of Connellsville, Eric Means of Ruffsdale, Brittney Bryner of Mill Run, Matthew Kurilla of Point Marion, Christopher Kurilla of Point Marion, Aaron Kessler of Mill Run, Cody Quarrick of Uniontown, Joshua Poole of Connellsville, Ivan Nedrow of Connellsville, Abby Nedrow of Connellsville, Justin Pritts of Normalville, Chad Peyton of Vanderbilt, Clinton Peyton of Vanderbilt, Alexis Tabaj of Mount Pleasant, Kelsey Breakiron of Hopwood, Sarah Regula of Brownfield, Gabrielle Springer of Vanderbilt, Megan Springer of Uniontown, Michael Springer of Uniontown, Elizabeth Springer of Uniontown and Ashley Crayton of Dunbar.
Market lambs: Kelsey May of Mill Run, Bethany May of Mill Run, Daniel May of Mill Run, Ryan Witt of Champion, Maggie Petruska of Smock and Kristi Rooker of Uniontown.
Goat: Michael Habina of Dawson, Megan Habina of Dickerson Run, Nicholas Habina of Dickerson Run, Ivan Nedrow of Connellsville, Betsy Dennis of Wharton Township and Danielle Groover of Farmington.
To participate in the state farm show, these youths must have been involved in a 4-H project during the past year. 4-H includes youths ages 9 to 19. Their entries for the state show must also meet state requirements.
County agent William Gallagher said that swine and market lamb entries from Fayette County youths are up this year while Christner said that market goat entries are about average.
Brady said no youths are participating in 4-H family living projects this year but they have in the past. However, Laura Ashton of Hopwood is participating in the Hershey cocoa cookie state competition in Harrisburg. Ashton won first place at the Fayette County Fair in this category, which is also a youth competition, last summer. The fair winners automatically go on to state competition.
In addition, Brady will transport entries from last summer’s Fayette County Fair winners of the Hershey cocoa cake and the apple pie contest to Harrisburg for competition. Those winners, who are adults, likewise automatically go on to state competition. They include Kristine Dankle, who won the apple pie contest, and Elizabeth Drapela who won the Hershey cake competition.