My name is Gradey McNally and I am a fifth-year member of the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club, where I am serving as our club president. For my fifth year in 4-H, I enrolled in beef, horticulture (gardening) and meat goat projects.

In the beef project, I bought a steer in the fall and one meat goat in the spring for my goat project. I was able to plant a garden and tend it in the spring and summer months.

I had so much fun with my friends at the fairs this summer working with our animals and spending time together. Besides the fairs, which is always one of the highlights of my summer, I was able to help my club with a community service project we have been doing for two years now. We are redoing the picnic tables that are used at Melvern Sunflower Days, and are purchasing the materials and tools needed to repurpose them back into more sturdy picnic tables for everyone to enjoy, and doing the work required to get the project done!

A few other activities I attended were District Club Days, where I gave a multi-media presentation on “How to Compost.” I also helped out at our club’s trunk or treat, and the Melvern Easter Egg hunt.

I am looking forward to a new 4-H year and cannot wait to start my sixth year of 4-H, and continue having fun while learning about my projects!

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

Allie Reeser with one of her sheep at the Overbrook Osage County Fair.

My name is Allison Reeser. I am a Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club member. This is my ninth year in 4-H and my second year in the sheep project. My sister and I decided last year we would like to try a new project: sheep. So, to get us started for our birthdays, our parents and grandparents bought each a ewe and wether lamb.

Last year at the Overbrook fair, I had to sell my wether, and to be honest, it broke my heart. Our ewes were too young to breed, so they spent the winter at my grandparents’ farm. My sister and I would go daily to feed and water them. When spring came around, we sheared the winter coats off the sheep, and began working with them on leading and bathing. My sister was a big help in this because, with my work schedule, she could work with them more than me.

During this project, I learned how to gradually increase their feed to help work them up to being on full feed, how to clean a sheep pen, how to bathe and shear sheep, how to show sheep properly, and how much work it takes to take care of them at the fair.

Every year, I learn more about the sheep project and my sheep. After the Overbrook fair, we took our ewes to a breeder, so next spring, I will have a new lamb that I can work with and watch grow. I hope it’s a ewe, so I don’t have to sell it.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

My name is Braelyn McNally and I am a sixth-year member of the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club, where I am serving as club vice president. I was enrolled in the beef, clothing, foods and nutrition and meat goat projects this past year.

In my projects, I had one steer that I purchased in the fall and one meat goat that I purchased in the spring. For clothing, I purchased bright orange pants and paired them with a black v-neck Navajo top I already had in my closet.

I wrote a speech for our District Club Days on beef sustainability in the ag industry and gave it at Club Days, Regional Club Days, and an ag-ed speech contest in Manhattan. Another highlight for me this year was receiving the champion round-robin award for the intermediate division at the Overbrook fair. I also enjoyed getting to be a special helper with our club’s Easter Egg Hunt we always host Easter weekend.

I look forward to another year in the 4-H program, where I can continue to learn within my project areas and have fun with new and old friends.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

Nova Smith shows her grand champion photograph and purple ribbon she received at Osage County Fair. The winning photo featured her little sisters.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

Claire Newman showing her Silver Fox rabbit at the Kansas State Fair.

I’m Claire Newman. My rabbit got a purple for best of breed and a blue for fur class at the Kansas State Fair. This was my first year at the state fair and I enjoyed my experience. I look forward to showing more rabbits at the state fair next year.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

Mason Newman and his goat Sunflower.

I’m Mason Newman. This was my first year showing in 4-H and showing dairy goats at the Osage County Fair. I received a reserve champion in showmanship. I had so much fun and look forward to exhibiting again next year.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!

By Bella Reeser

Bella Reeser at the fair with one of her sheep.

My name is Isabella Reeser. This is my sixth year in 4-H and my second year in the sheep project. My sister and I decided last year we would like to try a new project – sheep. I was so excited about this project! Unlike my sister, I have never had the chance to show livestock, so I couldn’t wait! Our parents and grandparents bought each a ewe and wether lamb to get us started for our birthdays.

At the Overbrook Fair last year, I sold my wether, which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Due to my ewe’s young age, we decided not to breed her over the winter months. Instead, they remained at our grandparents’ house, and every day, my sister and I would go to their house to feed and water our ewes. When springtime came around, my sister and I sheared the ewe’s winter coats off and began working with them on walking and giving them baths.

During this project, I learned how to gradually increase their feed to help work them up to being on full feed, how to clean a sheep pen, how to bathe and shear sheep, how to show sheep properly, and how much work it takes to take care of them at the fair.

I loved every step along the way with this project. Even though my ewe wasn’t the top sheep at either fair, I love her and wouldn’t trade her for anything.

After the Overbrook Fair, we took my ewe to a breeder, so next spring, if everything goes as planned, my flock will double! I can’t wait for what this next year in the sheep project has in store for me, and I look forward to the next generation of lambs I will have.

Celebrating National 4-H Week
Oct. 1-7, 2023!