Country
even about how controversial rights issues shaped by the personal experiences they make a good impression for those
apply on their own farms. The way in have. A run-in with a rude or impatient around them. All exhibitors, through
Crossroads
which the exhibitor handles these ques- exhibitor may be all it takes to leave a their inherent notoriety at a fair, may
tions is extremely important for the ongo- lasting bad impression of 4-H or the unexpectedly find themselves in a posi-
ing public relations battle in agriculture. entire ag industry. tion to shape someone’s opinion of 4-H,
While it is certainly enjoyable to be The show ring is hard work. It is hot the livestock industry or agriculture.
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the champion, Audrey, along with other and stressful, and the show may leave Make sure that the opinion an observer
assistant
champions before her, took seriously the exhibitors on the short side of sleep. But, will form is a reflection of the dedication,
role of a spokesperson. With a public that even in tough situations, a grouchy hard work, skill and sportsmanship 4-H
editor
has a limited knowledge of agriculture, exhibitor needs to remember the respon- is known for. By doing so, every
their images of the industry are easily sibility they bear and take the effort to exhibitor can be a champion.
Although there is a fair breeze from
the fans overhead, the temperature tops
90 degrees with a humidity level to
match. The judge strolls through the
thick air, back and forth down the long
line of market lambs, braced and taught
for his touch.
Spectators crowd in the stands, and
stroll past in the aisle ways, to watch as the
sweat-soaked and wrangler-clad exhibitors
strain to enhance their sheep for the benefit
of the discerning judge. Outwardly, they
look calm and focused, but inside, the
exhibitors’ minds are trying to handle a
myriad of decisions every instant.
Is the judge watching?
Is the lamb set up right?
When do I move?
Where do I move?
Finally, after the judge has made his
grand champion selection, one lucky
winner gets to relax for just a moment,
before an entirely new challenge begins.
Though only a few will ever get to expe-
rience it, every exhibitor needs to be pre-
pared for the challenges that come with
Ohio’s ultimate market project victory.
After winning grand champion at the
Ohio State Fair, exhibitors find them-
selves in the unique position of a
spokesman for their particular project,
the livestock industry in general and,
sometimes, even all of agriculture.
Audrey Neal made sure to stay with
her lamb, Hooch, as much as possible to
visit with those who wanted to visit the
junior market grand champion at the
2008 Ohio State Fair.
“People asked why he was shaved, and
a lot of people asked about the ear tags,”
she said. “There were also some really
strange questions. Some people wondered
if we were really selling him for meat. I
answered a lot of questions from a boy
whose family has sheep in Indonesia.”
Audrey was sure to enjoy the situa-
tion. She would take Hooch for walks
around the fairgrounds to bring a little
bit of the sheep show to the Midway. A
lot of people would stop Audrey so they
could pet a champion, complete with a
studded showring-bling collar that
grabbed attention at the Sale of
Champions. Hooch even got to enjoy
some Inky Dinky Doughnuts and
caramel corn for his efforts.
“It was a good time,” Audrey said.
The limelight can be a lot of fun, but it
brings with it a lot of responsibility. As
exhibitors prepare their animals for the
show season and the main event this
August, they also need to take time to pre-
pare themselves for victory, and the
demands that come with it. Through the
years, grand champion lambs have been
confused with calves, dogs and goats.
Many grand champion exhibitors have
been asked about what they feed their ani-
mals, how they take care of animals, and
Ohio’s Country Journal • March 2009 • C 9:05:29 AMrops 19
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