Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, January 03, 1998, Image 42
LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) “It’s the way George would have wanted it,” his widow Dor othy said of the memorial fund that has garnered more than $2,500 in George Metzler’s name. “George always loved cattle as a youngster. He grew up in 4-H and always supported the judging teams,” Dorothy said of her reason for requesting that donations be sent to the Lancaster County Livestock Judging Team in lieu of flowers.' George, who died unexpectant ly on Sept 17, was known nation ally as vice president and director of the Pennsylvania Polled Here ford Association and as a Polled Hereford breeder. The Metzlers showed the 1997 Show Bull and were named Pre mier Exhibitor at the American Hereford Association at Kansas City—in addition to many other awards during his life-time. It’s expensive for livestock judging teams to compete on a national level. It requires thou sands of dollars for the team to travel to regional and eventually national competition if they excel. Through the generosity of acts such as the Metzlers and other interested individuals, the team, composed of teen-age students, are able to participate. Few people are aware of the bchind-the-scene details required of the livestock judging teams. It’s not only the commitment of the members, but of leaders, coaches, and benefactors. While several colleges and livestock associations donate money to these teams, individuals consistently donate funds. Accord ing to Chet Hughes, Lancaster County livestock agent and coach for the Lancaster team, the vast majority of benefactors are indivi duals who at one time participated in the team. One of these individuals is Dr. Donald M. Herr, a veterinarian at the Manheim Pike Veterinary Hos pital. “Every year, he is the first person to send money and he always sends a little note telling how much he enjoyed being a member of the team years ago,” Hughes said. Herr was a member of the 1957 team. “It was a wonderful, positive experience to represent the state,” Herr said. “It taught me to be observant, to talk on my feet.” At that time, the national com petition was held in Chicago. “Blocky-appearing animals were in demand then. They were heavy, Former judging team member Dr. Donald M. Herr said, “If I wouldn’t have gotten Into vet school, I would have wanted to be a county agent because of Max.” Max Smith was Herr’s coach during his years on the livestock judging team. They Keep Giving. .. Giving. . . Giving.. . obese things,” Herr said recently as he flipped through news clip pings of animals the team judged. While industry standards have changed judging criteria, the bene fits of participating on a state team have not. “It’s good training that took us all over the country,” Herr said. The Chester County Livestock Judging Team recently swept county, regional, and state titles to advance to national competition where they placed nineteenth in the nation this past November. Cheryl Fairbaim, livestock exten sion agent and coach for the team, estimates costs were about $6,000. For high school students this is a formidable amount Without the help of donors, the teams could not afford to travel to out-of-state competitions. Fairbaim was a former judging team member. So she has sat on both sides of the spectrum. Because she considers judging team participation to be her best college experience, Fairbaim is an enthusiastic coach. “If you can get up and give rea sons before a group, than you can do anything,” she said. This year’s Chester County team practiced often, many times leaving at 6 a.m. to visit various farms, observing livestock and methods of management, and returning at 6 p.m. “It is my philo sophy that we should not spend the time or money if we are not going to put ISO percent effort into this endeavor,” Fairbaim said. The Chester County team included brothers Nathan and Jon Howe, Conrad Smoker, and Der rick Frank. Team member Derrick Frank said that it takes lots of sacrifice of time and money when participat ing on a team. Because his team competed nationally, team mem bers were practicing from May through November. Derrick, 18, a senior at Conestoga Christian Day School, works on his Uncle Nelson Beam’s farm. “My uncle was a former judging team member, so he knows what’s required. He thinks the sacrifice is really worth it, so he was really good about giving me time off,” Derrick said of the time needed to travel to Eastern States competi tion held in Massachusettes; East ern National competition held in Timonium, Md.; Keystone Inter national Livestock Esposition held in Harrisburg; The Main Event Livestock Judging Contest held in Columbus, Ohio; and the ultimate national competition held in Louisville, Ky. The Chester County Livestock Judging Team swept state and regional competi tions to advance to national, where they placed 19th in the nation. From left are Cheryl Fairbalrn, coach; Jonathan Howe, Downingtown; Derrick Frank, Elverson; Conrad Smoker, Honey Brook; and Nathan Howe, Downingtown. Jonathan was also selected for the first-time ever National Champion Quiz Bowl Team in which four members from the East competed against four members from the West. After her husband’s death, Dorothy Metzler continues raising Polled Herefords at Salunga Acres with the help of her family and a herdsman. A memorial fund in her hus bands name garnered more than $2,500 for the Lancaster County livestock Judging team. Her children and grandchildren continue the family's Involvement In 4-H. “It's the best education a child can have,” Metzler said. This was the second year ot competition for Derrick, who is enthusiastic in his praise of the program. “It taught me public speaking, to speak confidently, and to prepare quickly,” Derrick said. “It definite ly is learning experience that expanded my horizons and gave me a broader view of ag.” Derrick was thrilled with the trip to Louiville, where they saw “beautiful animals and big farms.” This broader view of agriculture often inspires ag-related career choices. But not always. The experience has steered Derrick in the direction of being a minister and evangelist. “Before participating, I wasn’t good at public speaking. My grandfather was a preacher and farmer. I wanted to continue the family tradition, but I was too scared to speak up. God used this experience to help me become bol der and not back down,” Derrick said. After graduation from Conesto ga Christian School, Derrick plans (Turn to Page B 7) S' ** ■»} At the urging of her mother Laurie Schmidt, Jessica joined the meats Judging team and continued on to national competition. Homestead NOTES