The Craig County 4-H Livestock Club recently wrapped up its showing and competition season. Club members showed project sheep and/or goats in local, area, and district shows including the Botetourt County, Newport and New River Valley fairs. They also competed in skillathon competitions incorporating general knowledge quizzes, breed identification, equipment identification, conformation classes, and more. The 2024 members (Isaac Foster, Keaton Foster, Maria Foster, Kaylin Foster, Jasmine Foster, Silas Templeton, Reid Templeton, Kylie Blankenship, Makenzie Blankenship, Evie Dudding, and Layton Dudding) developed many life skills through participation in livestock projects – goal setting, responsibility, record keeping, self-discipline, problem solving, and increased self-esteem.
Two members of the club, Evie Dudding and Layton Dudding, showed sheep and goats in many events throughout the year including the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell. They were extremely successful, winning several showmanship and market classes and performing highly in skillathon competitions.
Evie Dudding’s goat, Sheldon, was named the reserve grand champion overall market goat and was sold as a part of the sale of champions. Evie had the opportunity to meet Governor Youngkin and displayed her goat during a reception with potential buyers. Sheldon was sold for $6500 thanks to gracious agriculture industry sponsors. Part of this money goes to Evie’s project animal for next year, part goes towards a college scholarship, and the remainder goes to other scholarships for youth showing in the state fair. Evie also received an additional $750 scholarship through state fair scholarship funds.
Evie’s other accomplishments at the state fair included: 3rd overall goat showman, 5th overall lamb showman, 1st place white face cross market lamb, 4th overall premier junior goat exhibitor, and reserve champion premier junior lamb exhibitor (combined score of showmanship, market, and skillathon contests, $200 scholarship). In the Virginia Showmasters Circuit, Evie was the reserve champion overall combined junior lamb/goat showman with 4th overall in lamb showman and 6th overall in goat showman.
Layton Dudding, Evie’s brother, also received numerous awards at the State Fair of Virginia. He was 4th overall goat showman, 7th overall lamb showman, and had the 3rd overall champion heavyweight breeding doe. He was the reserve champion premier intermediate goat exhibitor (combined score of showmanship, market, and skillathon contests, $200 scholarship). He received a $1,400 youth livestock scholarship. In the Showmasters Circuit, he was the champion overall combined lamb/goat showman, reserve champion overall lamb showman, and reserve champion overall goat showman. In addition to his successes at the state fair, Layton showed one of his goats at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, MO. His doe placed 5th in her class.
Both Evie and Layton are showing their goats at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville this month, the “Super Bowl” of the showing world.
Youth participating in livestock projects demonstrate a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication. They provide the daily care for their animals (feeding, cleaning/grooming, exercising, health care, etc.), practice showmanship skills, and travel for shows and competitions throughout the length of their projects. Livestock projects teach many valuable skills that prepare youth for adult life. Those who are interested in learning more about 4-H youth livestock projects, or have kids interested in the Craig County 4-H Livestock Club, should contact the local Extension office at 864-5812.
-Michelle Dickerson-Poff
