4-H members enjoy their time at State Fair
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
Date Modified: 09/02/2010 9:26 AM
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DES MOINES -- Chandler Luzum, 15, of Festina, and Matthew Whittle, 15, and Adam Sacquitne, 16, both of Decorah, were sitting near the Winneshiek County pigs in the Iowa State Fair hog barn. Luzum belongs to the Co-Champions 4-H Club; Whitte, to Madison 4-H, and Sacquitne, to the Hesper Helpers.
Kelly Luzum, Chandler's mother, explained that four families brought 16 pigs from Winneshiek County. All the 4-Hers bought their show pigs from John Huinker of Decorah.
Luzum showed a derby pig that placed third in its class. Her market pig was third in its class as well.
"I'm pleased with that," she said. "I like showing pigs."
Luzum was showing her Simmental cow/calf pair in the open show the next day.
"I like all the friends that I\'ve met through 4-H," Luzum said.
Luzum's sister Skyler also showed pigs and was showing cattle. Their family has been showing at the Iowa State Fair for four years.
"It\'s hard on their sleep," Kelly said. "They do chores at 11 p.m. and then they\'re up early washing and feeding because the shows start at 7:30 a.m.
Whittle showed two Durocs. His derby pig finished 6th and his market pig was 12th.
"It\'s fun to show," Whittle said. "I have fun working with the pigs."
Sacquitne didn't show swine, but he showed a crossbred market steer in the 4-H show. It was his first year at the state fair. His steer placed 7th.
Sisters Micole and Darrah Lansing of Ossian were running back and forth from the show ring. Darrah\'s Duroc market pig placed first in its class and was Reserve Grand Champion Duroc in the 4-H Market Hog Show.
"The judged liked how the pig walked, and he said overall it was a complete pig," she said.
Darrah, 17, and Micole, 15, showed pigs for the first time this year at the Iowa State Fair. Their family has always shown sheep in the open show. They also show beef at the county fair. They are members of the Co-Champions 4-H Club with the Luzums.
The Lansing sisters each showed three pigs. In addition to the top finishing Duroc, they had a 7th, an 8th, a fourth, and a fourth overall.
"Showing is a big part of our lives," Micole said.