4 H Club

AT THE edge of the fairgrounds' show ring, 4-H Club members waited for officials to bring out the first group of animals - four heifers, each weighing 900 to 1,300 pounds. Once the animals were in the ring, the young judges would have about 12 minutes to evaluate and rank each animal, all the while taking notes to use in defending their decisions. It was the June 19 session of the Howard County 4-H Livestock Judging Program, one of the oldest and most valued 4-H programs in the county.

Tonia DiPiazza clapped loudly as her son, Joseph, cantered his pony around the ring in front of her. It was the last day of the three-day Harford County 4-H horse clinic, and Joseph and Muffin were showing their stuff in preparation for the county farm fair this week. Joseph, explained his mother, had learned how to canter at the clinic. But as much as Joseph learned this year, next year could be quite different. The clinic, like many of the county 4-H activities, is in jeopardy. With a 9 percent budget cut (about $1.6 million)

In a little over two weeks, tens of thousands of people will converge in West Friendship to enjoy the Howard County Fair. They will check out the livestock, visit the exhibits, have fun on the rides and partake of all the traditional foods - fried dough, snowballs, hot dogs and french fries. Most are too busy having fun to give any thought to what it takes to put on the eight-day event scheduled Aug. 2-9. Fair organizers, 4-H Club members, vendors, farmers and community groups spend countless hours getting everything ready.

HORSE-LOVING children showed their expertise Sunday at the 2002 Howard County Youth Horse Show Series in Highland. Sponsored by two Howard County 4-H horse clubs, this was the final show of the annual series held at Schooley Mill Park. Parents and chaperones brought the children and their horses in trailers and set up camp for the day. They brought coolers, lawn chairs and reading material to keep them busy for the many hours their children competed in a variety of classes. The show was divided into about 40 classes, based on the age of competitors and their level of skill.

TANEYTOWN resident Angie Rasche is this year's Carroll County Farm Bureau's Farm Queen. "It's a huge honor and I take a lot of pride in it," said Angie, the daughter of Mary and Bill Rasche. "I know the title will give me a lot of opportunities." The 17-year-old was named Farm Queen during the Carroll County 4-H/FFA Fair last month. She became involved with 4-H when she joined Rolling Clover 4-H Club nine years ago. Initially, Angie was involved in crafts, baking and photography. The past four years she has been involved with livestock.

The student: Elyse Evans, 16 School: Mount Hebron High Special achievement: A frequent exhibitor and volunteer for the Howard County Fair, Elyse won a $1,500 scholarship from the Howard County Fair Association awarded based on leadership skills and academic accomplishment. Elyse has been a member of the 4-H Club for eight years and won the Grand Champion 4-H Clothing award for her hand-sewn wool suit exhibited at this year's fair. Elyse is a youth leader at her church and an executive officer in her school's music department, where she is first clarinet and sits first chair in the wind ensemble.

Youngsters 8 to 19 can learn shooting sports through the Howard County Junior 4-H Gun Club - known as the "Bulls-Eyes." Scott Bosse of Sykesville started the club about four years ago. He has been involved in shooting sports for 21 years, teaching the sport at a Western Maryland 4-H camp. Bosse met his wife, Diane, at the camp. When their son, Danny, 12, was old enough to participate, Bosse inquired about starting a 4-H shooting sports club. Bosse is one of the seven certified instructors who work with the club.

WITH THE Howard County Fair just three weeks away, the Biegel family is busy preparing animals for the competition. Three of the family's four children are raising livestock to show at the fair under the auspices of the Dayton 4-H club. The Biegels, who live near the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in North Laurel, are veterans. They've been a 4-H family for five years. Paula Biegel says it all started with her oldest son Matt's interest in rabbits. Having joined the Dayton 4-H, he raised and bred a few. But the big push toward animal husbandry came when Paula noticed that the family's 2-acre back yard looked a bit weedy and was full of ticks.

MEMBERS OF the Happy Hounds 4-H Club competed in Wills Spring 4-H/Future Farmers of America Fair at the Howard County Fairgrounds last month. Danielle Betz of Highland and her standard poodle, Ninja, took first place in Junior Novice Obedience, and they were Reserve Obedience Champions for Intermediate 4-H'ers in Obedience. Danielle also won sixth place in Fitting and Showing with her toy poodle, Ferbie. Amy Frasier of Woodbine won second place in Senior Fitting and Showing with her mixed breed, Rascal.