Name: Megan Thomas
Parents: Jerry and Rhonda Thomas
4-H Group: McDowell 4-H, Purdy, Mo.
How are you involved on your farm?
Megan helps raise the show cattle on their family farm. “I help feed them and I walk them and brush them,” she said of her Charolais, Limousin and Angus show heifers. “I show at all the small county fairs, Ozark Empire, and the State Fair,” Megan added. She’s also responsible for feeding the chickens, dogs and cats. “I’ve grown up on this farm. I like it here. And last year at the Barry County Fair I raised enough money through the (premium) sale to buy another heifer.”
What’s your favorite part of living on a farm?
“Showing cattle,” Megan said. “I love being around them and trying to win shows. My favorite heifer is Nightmare. My grandpa and dad and I were driving to South Dakota to pick her up and my grandpa mentioned the name Nightmare and I liked it, so that’s what we called her,” added Megan with a smile.
What’s your best memory of showing cattle?
“At Republic I won the showmanship award and I wasn’t expecting it,” said Megan. She had worked hard to prepare for the show. “It was neat when the judge looked at me and chose me for the award,” she added. Another one of her favorite memories was at Ozark Empire Fair when she walked back to her stall and saw a big “Top Exhibitor Herdsman” ribbon hanging there for having a neat and clean stall for her heifers.
Are there other agriculture activities you’re involved in?
“I’m a member of the McDowell 4-H in Purdy. I’m also the Vice President there,” Megan noted. “I sew clothes, show cattle, write and present speeches in speaking contests, show sheep and other things through 4-H,” she said. “I joined at age 6 and last year I went to state in one of the 4-H speaking contests!”
By Jordan Haymes
