CELIA BROCKWAY
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENT
cbrock7@vt.edu

COURTLAND—On Sept. 23, the Southampton County 4-H program recognized its youth and sponsors at the annual 4-H Livestock Awards Banquet. This event served as a follow-up to the Franklin-Southampton County Fair, which took place in August.

4-H Livestock Show trophy presentations

Grand Champion Senior Heifer Fitting and Showmanship: Philip Carr Jr. (Carrsville)

Grand Champion Junior Heifer Fitting and Showmanship: Taylor Cross (Zuni)

Grand Champion Novice Heifer Fitting and Showmanship: Hannah Reedy (Drewryville)

Grand Champion Heifer: Taylor Cross (Zuni)

Reserve Champion Heifer: Philip Carr Jr. (Carrsville)

Heifer Sweepstakes: Taylor Cross (Zuni)

Grand Champion Senior Goat Fitting and Showmanship: Philip Carr Jr. (Carrsville)

Grand Champion Junior Goat Fitting and Showmanship: Lee Johnson (Drewryville)

Grand Champion Novice Goat Fitting and Showmanship: Luke Giles (Courtland)

Grand Champion Market Goat: Lane Cross (Zuni)

Reserve Champion Market Goat: Philip Carr Jr. (Carrsville)

Market Goat Sweepstakes: Lane Cross (Zuni)

Grand Champion Breeding Goat: Lee Johnson (Drewryville)

Reserve Champion Breeding Goat: Maryann Johnson (Drewryville)

Breeding Goat Sweepstakes: Lee Johnson (Drewryville)

Best Senior Buck (Rabbit): Savannah Britt (Courtland)

Best Junior Buck (Rabbit): Victoria Ross (Ivor)

Best Junior Doe (Rabbit): Nicole Copeland (Franklin)

Best Senior Doe (Rabbit): Caleigh Gray (Capron)

Best in Show Doe and Litter (Rabbit): Kendra Farmer (Windsor)

Grand Champion Overall Rabbit: Victoria Ross (Ivor)

Reserve Champion Overall Rabbit: Nicole Copeland (Franklin)

Special recognition

Friend of 4-H Award: Jennifer Johnson, Neil Clark, extension agent

Robbie Pulley Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Edythe Carr (Carrsville)

A surprise award was given to Walter Young Jr., for serving as a long-time volunteer of the 4-H program. Clark presented the award.

“This recognition is long overdue in my book,” said Clark. “Young has been an instrumental volunteer for Southampton 4-H for over 50 years. He does everything with a sense of humor and the best interest of the 4-H members in mind.”

Young was very surprised by the recognition.

“I do it for the kids,” he said. “They grow up and leave, but then they come back to help. It’s very rewarding.”

All 4-H participants received a premium check. The funds for the trophies and premium checks were donated by community sponsors.

Primary sponsors included Murphy-Brown LLC; Farm Bureau of Southampton; Colonial Farm Credit; and Southampton FFA. Other generous sponsoring businesses and individuals were Rose Valley Farms; Lee White Trucking; Parker Battery; Dixie Plant Farms; Southern States – Dean Moore; Larry and Bernadette Whitley; Carolina Eastern Boone; Coastal AgroBusiness; Bayer CropScience; Beamon and Johnson Automotive; Tractor Supply Company; Dail’s Home Center; Luck Stone; Colony Tire of Emporia; Commonwealth Gin; B&S Enterprises; Rich and Rich Bonded Auctioneers International; Helena Chemical – Larry Fowler; Old McDonald’s Rabbit Ranch LLC; Jernigan Oil Company Duck Thru; R.M. Felts Packing; Parker Oil; and Precision Exteriors LLC.

Sponsors of the 4-H Goat Show were J.T. Barham and Co. and Meherrin Agricultural and Chemical Company.

Holland Farm sponsored the obstacle course portion of the 4-H Goat Show.

Rich & Rich Bonded Auctioneers International Inc. recognized each 4-H member with a monetary bonus for their efforts.

If you are interested in 4-H, call the Southampton Extension Office at 653-2572.

CELIA BROCKWAY is the 4-H Youth Development Agent. She may be contacted at either 365-6258 (Isle of Wight) or 653-2572 (Southampton) or via email, cbrock7@vt.edu.