Name: Hannah Sherman
Parents: Michael and Tosha Sherman
4-H Club: Indian Creek 4-H, Pineville, Mo.; leader, Lisa Helm
How are you involved in agriculture?
“For three years now I’ve been involved in 4-H. It’s a great way for me to meet other people in agriculture. In late April, I started showing a 1-year-old Maine Anjou and chickens – Silver Phoenix, Production Red and Black Austrolorp pullets – at the county fairs. I got the beef heifer at a club calf sale when she was 6 months old, and I’ve been working with her to show at the county fairs. I took Showmanship at the Dallas County, Mo., Cow Camp, and I’ll be showing her at Newton County and McDonald County. I’ve been raising the chickens since they were chicks and raising them for some eggs as part of a 4-H project. I’ll show them at the McDonald County Fair in mid-July.” Hannah is the secretary/reporter for her 4-H group. She is also home schooled by her parents at their 100-acre beef cattle operation, Sherman Farms, near Pineville, Mo.
What have you gained from your involvment?
“I have gained lots of knowledge – more about breeds and body parts, feeding, watering and general care – in case I want to raise beef cows when I’m older. This is my first Maine Anjou, and we (my parents and I) want to keep the show quality genetics and learn more about showmanship qualities. I’ve also gained leadership skills, independence and responsibility. I’m more outgoing now. The most important thing is being responsible, because you have to take care of your animals.”
Do you have any advice for young people?
“Learn everything you can about what we get from agriculture. This shows us where we get our food from and how important it is to take care of them (farm animals). Make friends with your animals because you have to put patience first and perseverance second to get anywhere. It is important to spread the word about agriculture and how important it is. So many people don’t realize (where) their food comes from.”
By Jules Miller
