Name: Sydnee Kirby, 10 years old, 5th grade at Bolivar Intermediate School
4-H Group: Oak 4-H, Group Leader, Kathy Drake
Parents: Jim & Marlene Kirby
How are you involved in agriculture?
“I show crossbred sheep at the state fair and the county fair. We get sheep from the Whitaker family. They raise them and when they're a couple months old, I start training them. I get them used to me so they'll let me touch them and put a halter around them to lead them around. I tie them to a tree and move their feet so I can teach them how to stand. I show six sheep and started showing four years ago. I got third place overall at the Missouri State Fair this summer. I also live on a farm. I help dad groom and feed the sheep, plow fields and I also deer hunt.”
Why do you think it's so important for kids to be involved in agriculture?
“I think it teaches them. We show them and produce the meat. The more kids that show, the more meat the people of the United States would have. I do it to have fun and produce meat for people to have.”
Do you have a role model?
“My sister, Shelbie, is 18. She shows sheep with me and has been my role model with showing sheep since I started, and helped teach me.”
What's your best memory at the farm?
“When I first got my first lamb, named Bandit. I've had her for two years now and she is practically my bestest friend. We go on walks and run and play together. She's not like a lamb really, she plays so much.”
By Kristin Dudley
