Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
PIPER OLSON stares at Betty after she was startled by her loud mooing. The 5-year-old cow is owned by Swartz Family farms and weighs about 1,700 pounds. Brock Swartz brought the mother and her calf to the "Haymakers 'n Hotdogs" Penokee Range 4H Livestock Club fundraising event Friday at Cary Mine Market in Hurley.
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Hurley - Penokee Range 4H Livestock Club hosted a "Haymakers 'n Hotdogs" fundraising event Friday at Cary Mine Market.
The event raises money for the club, which in turn is partly used for the "betterment of Iron County's fairgrounds," 4H leader Brock Swartz said.
"We have our main show at the market sale," he said. "The kids all display their animals at the fair."
The club has installed concrete in the barns to contain any biohazards, he said, keeping things cleaner and safer.
"We've made strides in improvements at the fairgrounds in the last few years," he said. "We got a great group of parents and kids here."
Club members washed cars and sold baked goods while event goers milled around checking out the Tired Iron Tractor Club's antique farm equipment.
Swartz brought his family's cow, Betty, and her calf Bell, which seemed to enjoy being pet.
"The calf is extraordinary big for her age," he said. "She is only 2 months old and she is 240 pounds."
Mackenzie Backman, joined 4H at 7 and has been active in the club for 9 years. Although she doesn't live on a farm, she became interested in animals while helping out at a friend's farm.
She said she now goes over to the Swartz farm everyday.
"I have a steer and a hog," she said. "My steer is Blane and my hog is Irene."
Backman is looking forward to showing her animals in the fair this year, but said the Master Showmanship is "the most difficult thing she went through."
Blane is around 1,210 pounds, but she wants him to be closer to 1,300 by fair time.
"We only have like 45 days left," she said.
Backman said 4H helps teach responsibility by taking care of animals and making sure they eat.
Farah Erickson, parent and volunteer for the club, said 4H projects require hard work.
"Their social time is around their animals," she said.
She said watching how dedicated the youth are to their projects allows parents to see them "grow as individuals."
"I think the hardest part is watching them walk out of the barn when it's time to leave after the fair is over," she said. "Theres always tears, but there is a sense of pride and accomplishment."
