Name:  Jessica Crawley, 16
Parents:  Kim and Nikki Crawley
Hometown:  Maysville, Ark.
4-H Club:  Maysville 4-H club

What is your 4-H project?
“My main project is dairy science which is showing and working with my Milking Shorthorns, pretty much an everyday thing. I also show one Holstein heifer and one commercial heifer. My secondary projects are gardening and foods and nutrition. I especially like making chocolate chip cookies from my grandmother’s recipe.”

How did you get started with 4-H?
“My dad and grandpa were part of 4-H so me getting started at 5 was natural. I still have my first cow, Mae, who is now 12.”

Favorite 4-H Moment and Awards:  “When I was showing at the 2011 Dairy Days and the 2011 County Fair, I won Supreme Heifer and Supreme Cow at both shows. Last year at the County Fair my dry Shorthorn won superior over a milking Holstein and a milking Jersey. That just doesn’t happen so I was really happy.”

What do you do to help out on the farm?
“I do everything but tractor work and breeding using AI. That means I feed the calves, milk, sort, vaccinate or whatever the day’s chores happen to be.”

Favorite Possession:  “I love my cows more than anything. If I have a bad day, they’re always there and always listen.”

Long-Term Goal:  “My initial plan was to be a large and small animal vet, but I now know that I want a career in dairy and will perhaps take over our farm someday.”

Story and Photo by Terry Ropp

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here