Farm Horizons
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Oct. 10, 2016
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Page 4
Competing in Minnesota State
Fair requires time, dedication
By Ana Alexander
Randi Bayerl, 14, secures her purebred Shorthorn Plus
heifer in the barn on her family’s farm in Silver Lake before beginning the process of grooming its silky black
coat of hair.
Her father, Scott Bayerl, owner of B&B Tire & Auto
Repair in Winsted, watches his daughter with pride as
she leads the heifer out of the barn to demonstrate her
showmanship skills. Bayerl uses a show stick, a long stick
with a brush at the end, to calm the heifer and move her
into place.
Bayerl is a Winsted Jolly Juniors 4-H club member, and
recently competed at the Minnesota State Fair with her
purebred breeding heifer, which ranked sixth place. For
showmanship, which is judging how Bayerl handles the
animal, she won seventh out of 40 competitors.
It’s been a long process for Bayerl, who has dreamt of
competing at the state fair since she was a child.
“It’s been a goal of mine ever since I was little,” Bayerl
said. “[4-H] has a Cloverbud class, which is through third
grade. Once you’re out of third grade, then you can show
by yourself. Then, once you finish sixth grade, you’re able
to go to the state fair.”
4-H members who wish to compete at the state fair
must first make it through the county fair. For Bayerl, that
county fair takes place the week before the state fair. Participants must make it to the state fair lineup, in which
judges from the county fair place competitors based
on their scores. She was one of 12 4-H members from
McLeod County who moved forward this year.
Registration
There are entry fees for competing, but for those involved in 4-H, the fees are typically less, due to financial assistance from the participant’s county, according
to Rachel Moe, 21, of Hayfield. Moe has competed at the
state fair with 4-H for eight years, and for five years with
FFA.
“Our county (Dodge) helps us out a lot, so it’s a very
small cost,” Moe said. “It is very small compared to what
it would be if we had to get a hotel too – they have dorms
available.”
Those who participate in the state fair are eligible