Showing an Animal at the Tuscarawas County Fair – There’s so much preparation that goes into showing an animal at the Tuscarawas County Fair each year. Read on to learn what it takes before showing an animal at fair and how 4-H Senior, Addy Kendle, has put in the work for her projects right here on Newsymom!

Each year, many people attending the Tuscarawas County Fair can see all the hard work kids in 4-H have put into their projects for the year. Today, we’ll learn more about all the challenges that 4-H senior, Adeline (Addy) Kendle, has faced while raising the animals for her projects this year!

Meet Addy Kendle

To start, how long have you been involved with 4-H?

I have officially been in 4-H for twelve years (three as a cloverbud, nine as a project member); however, I’ve been involved with 4-H my entire life. It pretty much runs in my blood. Both of my parents grew up in 4-H, and I have many family members who are club advisors or are very active 4-H volunteers.

When I was born, my dad was on the Senior Fairboard, so my first fair was at three months old, and I haven’t missed one since. My mom began working for Ohio State University Extension when I was three. I really looked up to the Jr. Fairboard kids, and I couldn’t wait for the day when I could be one as well. The adult staff used to joke that me, my sister, and my cousins were all members of the Junior Jr. Fairboard. I’m involved in many aspects of 4-H aside from the fair, and I can’t imagine my life without all the opportunities it has given me over the years. 

What animal(s) do you raise?

This year, I raised market lambs and steers. I have also taken horse, rabbits, dog, market heifer, breeding heifer, feeder calf, and breeding sheep.  Many people ask what my favorite is, and I would have to say sheep. I’ve been showing them since my second year of 4-H so that is going on nine years now. I got involved with the sheep because my aunt showed when she was younger and she encouraged me to try out a new project.

Eight years later, I’m showing across the state. I have five sheep that I have shown throughout the summer at Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) shows and the Ohio State Fair. 

What’s the biggest challenge you face when raising your animal(s)?

I love my animals and the time I spend with them at the barn. We take a lot of measures to make sure our animals are healthy and sound, but every time you bring a new animal in the barn or take them to shows you risk exposing all the animals (those at the show and those at home) to outside illnesses. There’s a very strict disinfection protocol that we follow before bringing animals home from shows to reduce that risk. We (my family) don’t wear the same shoes or clothes to other peoples’ barns that we wear in our barn. Taking these extra precautions is very important in our industry.

We have a very strict feeding regime for all our animals and do health checks multiple times a day. Despite all our precautionary measures, it is still possible that an animal could get sick or injured and that is where having a good relationship with our veterinarian is essential. In doing this, we can ensure our animals are treated properly. While many might consider this a challenge, this is where I got my love for veterinary medicine. 

What has 4-H taught you that you apply in your life?

I feel like so much of who I am is because of 4-H. Through 4-H I have developed leadership skills, and I’m a much more outgoing person. When I started in 4-H, I was just a quiet little girl who kept to herself. In our club we are encouraged to give demonstrations and in being a camp counselor I’ve had to put aside my fears in public speaking to help the kids have the best experience, because the campers always come first.

I pretty much do everything 4-H. I’m very involved in the 4-H program. I’m a camp counselor, a Jr. Fairboard Member, a Food and Fashion Board member, Vice President of the Tuscarawas County Jr. Leaders, and President of my 4-H club (the club is Above and Beyond located in New Philadelphia). 

4-H has also taught me to show up, never give up, be myself, and live to my fullest abilities. There are times when things don’t go as planned and despite the obstacles that we face, I have learned there is always a way. If you put in one-hundred and ten percent, you will see amazing things happen. And the most important lesson that I will carry with me throughout any venture of life is to make the best better (the 4-H motto). 

Outside of 4-H, what do you like to do?

I’m eighteen years old and a senior at New Philadelphia High School.

I have a love for veterinary medicine, and I have been exploring colleges and several vet programs. This school year I will be doing an internship at the Sugarcreek Vet Clinic, which I am very excited about. 

I am the treasurer of the New Philadelphia Spanish Club and a member of National Honor Society and the Science Leadership Club at Philadelphia. This past June I went with about 27 students from New Philadelphia Spanish Club to Spain. It was an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. We toured several places within Spain including Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville, Granada, and Madrid. To be able to see their culture and how different it is in another country is amazing. 

I enjoy traveling and going to national parks, too! Someday I hope to go on a trip out west with my family. My family has hosted four exchange students: one from Japan, one from Germany, and two from Spain. Someday, I hope to be able to travel to their hometowns to visit them. I’m involved in youth ministries at Broadway Global Methodist church. 

Tell us more about your accomplishments with your projects!

This year at the Ohio State Fair, I had Reserve Champion Suffolk Market Lamb. I won my age division in skillathon as well as outstanding record book, and I won seventeen year old Outstanding Market Exhibitor (takes a composite score of skillathon score, showmanship class, and market class). This was all within the Market lamb category. 

In November of 2021, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to be the Ohio 4-H sheep delegate to go to the National 4-H congress in Atlanta, Georgia. The state picks you based on an application called the Ohio 4-H Achievement Record. I was thrilled to have been selected since it was my first time applying for the award. At the 4-H congress I was able to meet kids involved with 4-H from all over the country, including Puerto Rico. During this event, I attended sessions, listened to inspirational keynote speakers, participated in a community service outreach, had a cultural night, a gala, and explored the aquarium and Coca Cola factory. It was amazing to network with all the amazing people who were there in attendance. 

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If you’ve been thinking of getting your kids involved in something new, try 4-H! There are so many projects and learning opportunities, even if your kids are unable to take on an animal project.

For more information on getting your child involved in Tuscarawas County 4-H, the best time to reach out is in February. You can reach Kiersten Heckle by emailing heckle.13@osu.edu or visit: http://ohio4h.org.

Find us at the Tuscarawas County Fair, starting September 19, 2022! And stay tuned to the latest fair updates on Facebook (@tcofair).

Melissa Klatt

Reporting