810-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, October 16, 1999
«Kidg. Korner
4
‘Wondeweful’ Things Comprise Essay Contest For Lamb Exhibitor
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Fanning Staff
BERNVILLE (Berks Co.)
Came Hartman is only 10 years
old. But already she's had some
amazing experiences.
She won a pair of purebred
lambs for an essay she wrote.
Someone wrote a poem about her
that was published in a book, she
has been paid for modeling, and
she has collected mote than 100
ribbons for showing sheep and
cattle.
The daughter of Carol and
Michael Hartman, Garde has two
brothers, John, IS, and Brian, 16.
On their 85-acre Bemville farm,
In an essay contest sponsored by Del Val College 4-H
Collegiate Club for 4-H’era in seven counties, 10-year-old
Carrie Hartman won the purebred Southdown ram and ewe
lamb from Kwisneck’s Scenic View Farms in Clarksburg.
On their 85-acre Bernville farm, the Hartman siblings raise a purebred Simmental
beef herd in addition to sheep.
the Hartmans raise 22 sheep and a
purebred Simmental beef herd.
The sheep breeds include South
downs, Suffolk, a Dorset, and
crossbred market lambs.
Carrie explained that Del Val
College 4-H Collegiate Club spon
sored the essay contest that she
won. Seven counties were eligible
to compete. Out of 15 entries, Car
rie won. Her brother John came in
a close second.
Carrie wrote about life on the
farm and her experiences in raising
sheep, and as a member of the
Berks County Sheep and Lamb
Club, and the Beef Club.
Carrie wrote: While raising the
V. v "
The Hartman family includea parenta Carol and Michael Hartman, Carrie, 10: John,
15; and Brian, 16.
Southdown ewe and ram lambs, i
hope to learn how to properly feed
this breed of sheep. I know that
Southdown lambs grow rapidly
and they should be managed diffe
rently than my Suffolk sheep. I am
interested in seeing how much they
eat compared to my Suffolks. I’m
also interested in seeing how fast
my lambs can grow while on
pasture.
“I also will learn how to set up a
good breeding program so that /
can have lots of Southdowns to
show and sell in the Juture. "
Carrie continued to write about
the cate of the lambs’ hooves, vac
cina tied and health care, and the
importance of shearing lambs
properly.
She ended by writing; ‘One oj
the most important things I can do
while showing is to educate the
public about all the good features
of Southdown lambs. Maybe some
day I will be the Berks County
Lamb and Wool Queen. I would
like people to know how warm
wool can be.
‘My lambs and I also would like
to participate in the Mardi Gras.
We like to have Jun and play
together. ”
The purebred Southdown ram
and ewe lamb came from Kwis
neck’s Scenic View Farms in
Clarksburg. The donated lambs
came with a stipulation: Carrie had
to sign a contract promising to
show die pair at least at two shows
Although only 10 years old, Carrie has won the Berks
County Junior Showman Award trophy and garnered about
100 ribbons from the shows she has participated in.
»///
**»
*
and to have the ewe bred to the ram
that she won and later to another
registered Southdown ram.
When Carrie heard that she
won, her mom said, “Carrie was
bouncing all over the place and her
daddy went into shock.”
“Tire Southdown breed is one of
the most popular breeds for
4-ITers to show,” Carrie’s dad
said.
That means there is stiff com
petition in the show ring.
The judges’ decisions are not
always what the Hartman family
believes arc fair, but as her dad
said, “The kids need to learn the
hard facts of reality when young.
Life isn’t always fair.”
(Turn to Page B 11)