4-H youngsters gain experience judging, showing

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Cody Webster, 9, is now at the age where he can join Roosevelt County’s 4-H program. The most exciting thing for Webster, a Valencia Elementary student, is to show pigs.

“I have three pigs — Blue, Bella and Queen,” Webster said.

Not only is Webster showing the pigs, but he also uses them as subjects in his photography.

Even though it is his first year in 4-H, Webster is involved in many projects, such as photography and judging horticulture and entomology.

Webster and several other Roosevelt County 4-H members are getting ready for the district judging contest on June 18-19 in Hobbs.

Ryan Craig, the 4-H agent for Roosevelt County, said the district contest is for the novice and junior members of 4-H, who are between the ages of 9 and 13.

Kaitlyn Kircher, 12, has participated in 4-H since she was 9 where she has been showing goats and lambs and participating in judging contests.

“My family has always been involved in 4-H, it runs in the family,” said Kircher, who’s father is Patrick Kircher, the county agriculture agent.

Kircher said her favorite part of 4-H is showing her lambs and goats.

“My parents hate goats, but I love them so much. They are so much fun to show,” Kircher said.

Kircher, a native of Dora, said she really likes the judging contests, but showing is more fun for her.

Eli Terry, 11, said he has been wanting to show animals but has not been able to, so he has been judging and participating in the gun sports. Terry participates in the shotgun, rifle and bow and arrow competitions.

Terry’s favorite judging event is wildlife, in which he must identify wild animals.

“When I see a bird, I want to know its real name and not have to wonder what its name is. I don’t want to just give it a made up name,” Terry said.

Terry, from Floyd, said he wants to judge wildlife the whole time he is in 4-H and maybe one day he will show animals.

“He really wants to know what he is hunting,” said Craig on why Terry enjoys judging wildlife.

Craig said the district contest is a great way for the members to get experience for the state contest when they become senior members.

“They have a lot of fun at district, it is a fun contest,” Craig said.