Hometown: Center Ridge, Ark.
Parents: Philip and Beth DeSalvo
Age: 12
4-H Club: Nemo Vista 4-H Pioneers
Club Leader: Alicia Hugen
What is your 4-H project?
“I always show animals and this year will show two steers. I also do presentations at the county and district levels. I’m really happy because this year I get to compete at the district level and my brother Ben, who is a year older than me, doesn’t because I won in my division, but he got second in his division and isn’t eligible to go.”
How did you get started with 4-H?
“I wanted to show and had to be in 4-H in order to do that at that Conway County Fair. I was 7 and really nervous when I first went two 4-H because I grew up on a farm and I wasn’t used to groups of people. Doing presentations helped me get over my shyness, especially the first one about pigs which is what I was showing at the time. I guess the most important thing I’ve learned from 4-H is that it’s okay to talk to people without being afraid and acting shy.”
Favorite 4-H awards: “I really like showing and have done a lot of it. Two of my favorites awards were winning first in showmanship with pigs and then Reserve Grand Champion pig at the Conway County Fair.”
What do you like about showing?
“For me, the best part is bonding with the animals before I ever get to the show ring and then using that bond in competition which makes us both show better. We focus on each other and are calmer.”
What do you do to help out on the farm?
“I work on the farm every day and help feed hay and grain as well as checking baby calves. When we work cattle, I bring them in. Working with animals always makes me happy.”
What are your future plans?
“We use ET on our ranch and that has made me want to be an embryologist and maybe work with my dad. I might start at Arkansas Tech in animal science and then go to Oklahoma State University to finish my bachelor degree as well as to get my embryology degree. I find that part of working with animals really interesting, and it’s a good job.”
