Andi Montgomery
Age: 14
Parents: Darrell and Charla Montgomery
Hometown: Everton, Mo.
4-H Club: Turnback Trailblazers
4-H Leader: Carla Hayes
How are you involved in agriculture?
“Ever since I was a little girl, I would go outside and get the eggs and feed my chickens. In 4-H now I’m doing beef, poultry, archery, camping and leather.
“My family runs Charolais and I have two of my own; a heifer and a cow. I also raise Dexters. They are a small (but not miniature) multi-purpose breed; good for meat production or dairy.”
Your achievements through agriculture?
“A couple of years ago when I started 4-H, I didn’t know anything about Dexters (a small-sized breed of cattle). There was a competition and my previous 4-H advisor asked if this was something I wanted to do. They were giving away two Dexter heifers and I had to write an essay for the competition.
“I was surprised when I won and I got one (a heifer). Her name is Cecille and she is almost 3 years old now. Her first calf goes back to the Missouri Dexter Breeders Association. It is a heifer chain program. If I show her for three years and give the first calf back to the association, then I get to keep the cow.
“I went to the National show last year in Springfield, Mo., and ended up doing pretty good – better than I expected. My cow placed 2nd in her age division. I went to Showmanship and in the 13-16 year division; I ended up getting 2nd for that also.”
What’s next?
“I’m taking an ag class now and building a camping box to hold all your stuff for camping. Next year I will be in FFA at Everton High School. I work at a greenhouse and am buying 300 mums for my SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) project; to pot them, growing them for sale next year.”
