August 12th, 2011
With most fairs almost done it is time to make sure you said thank you to supporters, sponsors and above all your buyers. With emails flying and the fast pace of life a little hand written thank you card goes a long way. Whether you have a long time buyer or would like to say thank you to a first time sponsor you’re hoping will help out next year, it really makes a difference to show your appreciation.
So, to make it a bit easier for you we put together a few tips, ideas and even sample thank you cards to help out.
Tips:
- Write it out, edit and have someone read it before you actually write it on the thank you card.
- Write it in PEN by HAND, and take the time to make sure it readable.
- Use a note card, they are inexpensive and will show you put the effort out to say thanks.
- Write a card for each buyer. If three people bought your animal together, do your best to get each of their names and addresses to send three separate thank you cards
- Put a picture of you in there. It can be with your animal or just you in uniform, sometimes buyers will keep these or even frame them.
Some ideas on what to share along with your thank you:
- Number of years you’ve been showing
- Key highlight about the fair this year (could be a good one, or a difficult one)
- The number of hours you put in to raise your animal, or specific goals you reached.
- What you will do with the money that you earned.
- What your goals are for next year’s projects or school plans.
- Does your school, chapter or club have a buyers appreciation dinner? Don’t forget to invite your buyer and their family.
Sample 1:
Dear (put your buyers name here)
Thank you for purchasing my market lamb this year. This is my third year showing and the first time I placed 1st in my class. Because of your support I’ll be able to use some of my earnings from this year’s project to purchase a larger project next year, my first steer. Thank you so much for your support of my project, it is truly appreciated.
Thank you again,
Sally Showman
Sample 2:
Dear (put your buyers name here)
Thank you for purchasing my market hog this year. This is my last year showing and I can’t help but give a great big thank you for all of your support over the years. Next year I’ll be moving on to new things and starting my first year of college. I hope you’ll continue to support the new members of the junior livestock community.
Sincerely,
Sally Showman
Make sure your own style and personality comes accross and your thank you note will be great!! Wouldn’t hurt to have some cool cards to make it fun too.
Feel free to comment with y our thank you note ideas here, every little bit helps. Until next time!!
Megan
Tags: enterprise project, Fair, junior livestock, livestock, thank you, youth
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July 18th, 2011
I recently had the opportunity to contribute to DRIVE magazine; it is a publication very similar to our own Pacific Showcase, though it is centered in the Midwest. The question I was asked was what is a good snack to put in your tack box for fairtime. I thought this was a fun topic so I thought, why not? Let’s share some ideas here on the west coast of what we stuff in our show box for fair week.
I remember the days I showed I had a HUGE show box, probably bigger than what was really necessary but I packed all sorts of things in there. It took two men and a couple small children to carry it. Extra sweatshirts in case it got cold, socks for when I got them wet from washing or rinsing, ball caps for that messy morning barn hair and an assortment of bobby pins, safety pins, and rubber bands cause you never know when you would need to jerry rig something at the fair and fix it on your own . These were just a few staples we made sure we packed each fair.
What about food for the fair? Of course there was always the one day mom would let us go down the midway and get a big corndog, or a burger or some popcorn or a snow cone (back in my day there were not deep fried twinkies J ) But the rest of the time we packed our food and each day we would have a little barn picnic with fellow 4-H’ers. Salami, cheese, triscuits, wheat thins, Capri suns, licorice, trail mix, bottled water, all these yummy treats were packed in our coolers and stuffed in the show box. Mom would always bake some chocolate chip cookies, rice crispy treats and had a small assortment of mini candy bars for us. Yummy!
The Settrini Kids Show Box was the place to be if you needed an afternoon pick me up snack, a hair band to fix a pony tail or maybe an extra pair of socks in case yours got wet.
Have times changed? What do you pack in your show box? Let’s share some thoughts! Together we can create the perfect show box filled with everything we will need to survive a week at the Fair!!
Celeste
Tags: fair food, Show box, tack
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May 9th, 2011
Recently I read a great article in Farm and Dairy – “Emotion Trumps Science Everytime~ Farmers need to start with Why” by Susan Crowell
I applaud Susan for such a tremendous message! I too have always been one to think this. I believe science is a great resource at our fingertips and we need science for facts and figures to support the things we believe in. However I also think that when we are out AGvocating that the why we do it seems to always hit it out of the ball park.
Why do I do what I do ? Why do I ranch? Why do I AGvocate?
For me it is really quite simple~
- I am steeped in the heritage of my family roots
- I love waking up on the weekend and going with my dad to check cows about to calve
- I love taking my niece- Baby Paige- with me on my four wheeler to feed at night
- I love fixing fence and water troughs – well maybe not love but it gives me the opportunity to be out with the cows and that is what I love.
- I love my ag family
- I love the smell of sweet hay
- I love the smell of cows – really I do !
- I love watching my dad each spring prepare to plant his vegetable garden, order his seeds, start them in little trays and then take them out to grow his own little personal crop
- I love seeing my mom prepare her menus each year as she takes food to us during branding time!
- I love the industry I have grown up in and feel it is my obligation as a fellow farmer/rancher to share my story with all who I can engage in conversation.
- I love caring for the animals, taking care of the little ones when maybe they cant get it done on their own
- I love warm baby calves on the floor of my truck on cold nights
- I love baby sheep bleating in a big box on the floor of my living room by the pot belly stove waiting for me to feed them
- I love all the cows lined up on the “cow trail” walking to the water trough in a perfect line like they are on a mission
- I love feeding hay on the back of the flatbed as my brother drives and taking time between fields to sit on the hay and admire the beauty of it all
- I love to eat – too much at times – and because of farmers I am able too!
- I love cowboy boots – I have all sorts!
- I love carhart jackets and gloves and ball cap kinda days
- I love YOU, my dear farming friends for helping me become my best self.
I love it because I do not know anything else this is who I am , who I have become and who I will continue to be. I am dedicated to the industry I love and to each of my fellow farmers and ranchers. For I owe it to them to share my story , I owe it to them to show them it can be done , hopefully empowering them to tell theirs and do the same.
Its all quite simple – when someone asks me why do you farm/ranch? Why do you do what you do ?
My answer – because I LOVE it and I cant imagine doing anything else.
That’s Why !
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May 9th, 2011
Sometimes it is fun to read other blogs and when you find something that
really hits home you tend to want to share it!
I ran across this blog recently posted by Cheryl Day. Cheryl lives in
Illinois and is a mother, agriculture advocate and farmer. I thought that
this month I would share her thoughts with all of you. I hope you enjoy
her as much as I did. Keep in mind it is not the way we decorate
ourselves that make us who we are it is what is in our hearts
~ Celeste
Missed the Memo
In a given day, my attire can vary from a business suit to manure on blue jeans. It is all in a day’s work and depends on the agenda for the day. In fact, I openly admit I change my clothes many times in a day. The clothes I wear do not make me a better farmer.
I strongly support Farm Day at my school sponsored by the local FFA Chapter. Bravo to the FFAers for bringing animals, tractors, and the agriculture story to the school grounds. However, the mood last Friday for this farm mom began to sour …..
read more.
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March 10th, 2011
Having a show project is quite a responsibility- you halter break, brush, wash, rinse, clip, feed, exercise and care for your projects the best way you know how. Have you ever wondered how you can go the extra mile and create added value to the work that you are already doing?
Now more than ever with an influx of media pushing a vegan diet, with the Humane Society of the United States touting false claims on animal agriculture and PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals) working against us it is very important for young people to be equipped to not only care for the animals they are raising but to know all about them from birth to harvest. Can you answer questions pertaining to the harvesting process? Why do you raise market animals rather than keeping them as a lifelong pet? Why do you vaccinate, castrate, tag or brand your animal? These are questions that you need to know, to prepare you for questions that might arise at a county fair or show from guests attending the event.
How do you go about getting all of this information? Breeders, project leaders and trade associations are the best places to start. We at Junior Livestock Pro are committed to assisting our young people to fill their “show box” with everything they will need not only to fit their animals but to answer questions about them too.
Unfortunately not everyone believes in raising animals for market, it is our job to educate when asked a question so that people are completely informed. Once you have done that you can feel good about sharing ALL the information about your project and then they can come to their own conclusions. Lets not let them jump ahead with assumptions until you have had the time to do your part in the education process.
What is your WHOLE story and how will you tell it? We’d like to know
- Celeste Settrini
Tags: breeders, enterprise project, harvest
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January 24th, 2011
It’s a brand new year! A fresh page with nothing on it , it is your job to fill the pages – what an opportunity we all have! The Jackpot show season is gearing up and soon weekends will be filled with friends, family and your animal projects- for me this brings back so many wonderful memories. Which gets me thinking about our core values in the junior livestock show program. My friend Amanda Nolz writes for BEEF Daily and recently she posted something on her blog that was quite similar- Amanda says that Friends, Family and Faith are the cornerstone of many of us. I have to agree with her. Friends and Family are probably what brings us all together each and every show. Sure it is the competition and the drive to excel and succeed but when you really think about it, isn’t it the show family that supports us and gets us excited to keep coming back? I am thinking so. I believe that with the support of friends and family that is a big factor in helping us to succeed. I don’t think it is always the winning that makes us who we are but how we play the game.
Are we fair, considerate of fellow showmen, respectful? I believe that when we possess these characteristics then we are the real winners. It is the time we share with our fellow showmen and our families that will really make an impact on who we are. I was blessed in my show career to do really well in the show ring but now at a ripe old age of 43 I look back and certainly remember the buckles and the ribbons but above all else I remember the experience of being there and the people that made the experience. Those years of learning, meeting people and taking it all in made me what I am today. So like the old saying goes, It is not if you win or lose but how you play the game- I guarantee that when you play the game right you are going to be able to take all of that with you as you move on into the big wide world. Take it from someone who experienced all that you are experiencing and hung tight to those core values of families and friendships that have helped me become the woman I am today. It’s a brand new year – fill those pages with those experiences and core values so that they are something you can put on the shelf and then look back on when you need to as a quick reference on what is important in life ! Friends and Family! In my opinion that is the cornerstone of all that you are doing
- Celeste Settrini
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December 26th, 2010
We at JLP are always eager to hear about the things that interest you and what you would like to read about. However on our maiden voyage I thought it might be a good idea to remind everyone that just because we are on Holiday Break doesn’t mean we neglect our animals- in fact this is a great time to get a jump start in getting them into tip top condition!
Schools Out! Winter Break! That means time with family and friends, holiday shopping, eating lots of yummy food and …………… halter breaking and taming and training. This is a great time to get a jump on halter breaking if that is what you need to do or if you are lucky enough to already have a broke calf you can get going on training the hair. Cool temperatures are a plus right now to keep your calves hair in tip top shape and growing like crazy!
With experience raising cattle I have trampled through the mud practicing walking my calfs, tying them up and brushing them. My dad used to put a timer in the barn and my brother and I would have to brush for 20 minutes on each side, when the bell rang we switched sides – for us this was death! The longest 20 minutes of our lives, however our calves had great hair and not to mention they learned how to stand for long periods of time. A serious plus when you are in advanced showmanship. And just a reminder – in those days there was not a whole lot of potions out there to help us train the hair either- good ole water and balsam worked wonders in a squirt bottle.
What are your tips to great hair and halter breaking? Lets share them here!
Until next month – enjoy your break, practice hard and remember show season is right around the corner- are you on track for next show?
- Celeste Settrini
Tags: halter breaking, steer
Posted in Cattle | 23 Comments »
March 14th, 2010
I’m not sure what really defines a sport. Is it the interest of multiple people, a cheering section and sore muscles after practice… or is it the requirement of skills only a subset of people can perform? To me it’s all of these things and athleticism. Currently cheerleading is an official sport as well as badminton; if you have ever done either of these at the top levels you’ll find skill and athleticism are essential for these sports. (I’m not sure where curling falls so don’t ask)
After looking at this definition I asked myself, is showing a sport?
Looking at beef, sheep, swine and goats I thought about the components of showing these animals and how you actually get to the “big game” or big show as we call it. Like any other sport you start the season out of practice and with one or several teammates with much to learn. After getting acquainted with the team and figuring out what will need to be done you start practicing on a regular basis. For any sport this is critical, practice makes perfect, or permanent, is a creed held by all coaches. I guess the question then becomes what does practicing for a sport entail and what does it give the athlete? Athletes practice to improve skills, learn new skills, increase endurance, condition muscles and out think an opponent. So, when it comes game time they have the energy to play the whole game fiercely and out whit the competition.
For most sports you run, do liners, push ups, drills and well …I’d have to say showmen do all of these things to get ready for a show. Run to exercise animals or maybe just to catch them and put them away, carry 50 -75 lb sacks and shovel lots of heavy gook on a regular basis. Then the conditioning comes in, depending on your “sport” you’ll have to start conditioning a specific group of muscles for the show ring. Advanced showmanship classes can take up to 45 minutes in a hot show ring. If you’re showing hogs that is 45 min of bending over, straining that lower back and extending that right arm. For sheep its working that lower back as you walk just a bit slouch and those inner thighs for the ever most essential brace. Lastly, those biceps and triceps for holding up that steers head when he starts to fall asleep in the ring, not to mention the fully tensed body if you have a steer that likes to give you trouble.
(I didn’t really count showing a steer as an arm work out until I tried to show a steer and play volleyball in the same day. Let’s just say I couldn’t hit a ball over the net to save my life.)
What I’m trying to say is- showing is a sport. You have to practice, condition your muscles and learn the techniques to overcome the competition like any other sport. (Not to mention you have to teach a team mate…your project that is…to do the same and condition them EVERY season. No returning players in this sport) Take the time to practice for your sport and it will be so much easier in the ring.
Till next time,
Megan
Tags: livestock, practice, showing, showmanship
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January 6th, 2010
Why is it the days we work the hardest, wake up the earliest and learn the most don‘t seem all that special in the moment? Let’s face it, they can be horrible and I have definitely had times where I have thought about quitting. But then when you look back at the time that you stuck with it, they are the best times of all, and the ones you brag about. The most pain-filled and hard-working memories from my years with 4-H and FFA are riddled with long summers, cold jackpots and pain in the neck hogs. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
I would like to welcome you to Junior Livestock PRO and one of its blogs. Over the course of this year you will hear from many people from all corners of the agricultural industry including myself, judges, showmen young and old, industry professionals, agricultural journalists and more on various aspects of junior livestock and agricultural topics. We’ll follow showman, bring you stories on jackpots, fairs and animal health and on occasion, give you some laughable entertainment along with reliable knowledge and resources for raising and showing projects.
To start off, I couldn’t help but share some laughable entertainment from one of my great memories. Who knew just getting to a jackpot could be so… lets say…interesting. You buy your first steer, enter into your first jackpot and before you know it, you and your friends are loading your steers in the trailer to head out for the show. Tack box loaded, blocking chute, blower, munchies in the car, feed, bedding, music – you’ve got it all. Everything is ready so off we go: one dually truck, one trailer, 4 steers, 4 teenage girls and one very brave Dad! Down 101 for about twenty minutes and life is good, talking away, music up and I’m singing along sitting behind the driver seat when I catch a glimpse of something in the side view mirror. I maneuver to see more in the side mirror and,“ are those sparks!”….”Dad there are sparks coming from the back of the trailer!!” I take a look back and sure enough, the back of the trailer’s going up like the fourth of July. Then I see a Jetta veer a bit in the lane next to us about a 30 yards back and… ”Is that our tire!?” By that time we had dived across 2 lanes to the shoulder of the freeway to see the trailer’s back left tire roll slowly across the freeway, make a small circle, and fall in the grassy median. Our tire had come off, O-F-F, OFF!! How is that possible? To this day I have no idea how that happened but I will tell you an hour and a half later, Dad had us back on the road in time to have our inaugural “10 Taco Challenge” and make a very rainy weigh in. It was a perfect first jackpot and not even a trailer with 3 tires could keep us away.
Until next time! And feel free to share your stories in the comments section we’d love to hear them.
Megan
Tags: 4-H, agriculture, FFA, jackpots
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