By Matt Peterson [email protected]S omething un- precedented hap- pened inside the barns at the Mow- er County Fair this year. A 4-H’er with more ambition than the aver- age teen set out to show an animal in every cate- gory of livestock shows, and she accomplished her goals. Meet Laura Meany. “It was definitely what I wanted to reach, but then I think about how I didn’t get to spend that much time with my friends,” said Meany, a 17-year-old from Rose Creek. “I don’t think I re- gret it because it was a lot of fun, and I learned so much this summer.” Meany is one of 460 4- H’ers in Mower County and was one of nearly 350 to exhibit projects at the 2012, 128th annual Mower County Fair. At the fair, Meany ex- hibited 11 rabbits, five pigs, five goats, two dairy calves, two pigeons, two sheep, one dairy steer, a llama and a horse, and that’s only a fraction of the amount of animals she cared for and trained with during the summer. “It was pretty daunting for her to make all these connections for all the an- imals and all the money she spent,” said Meany’s mother, Lyn. Meany leased animals from some farmers while leasing some of her own to others. As she grows in 4-H, she’s focusing more about the learning and leadership aspects. Meany was one of 20- some 4-H’ers who were state ambassadors at the Minnesota State Fair this summer. Meany also showed several animals and received several rib- bons at the state fair. “It was different than what I expected, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Meany said. Meany has two years of 4-H eligibility remain- ing. Though she won’t show in every livestock category again, she’s ex- cited to help others with their projects and to ad- vocate for 4-H. She hopes to remain involved in 4-H in some way, such as be- ing a chaperone or judge, as she grows into adult- hood. “I definitely think 4-H is going to be with me throughout life,” she said. Lyn may notice more than others that her daughter has matured be- cause of 4-H, as well. The responsibility, interaction with new people and sheer amount of work served Meany well. “I think it was a huge confidence builder for her,” Lyn said. Laura Meany tries to go through everything that has occupied her week during the Mower County Fair in August. Meany showed seven types of animals at the fair, including pigeons, cows, horses, pigs, llamas, rabbits and goats. Herald file photo Catching up with Meany Busy 4-H’er accomplished goal to show in every category “I definitely think 4-H is going to be with me throughout life.” -Laura Meany LEFT: Meany waits to compete during the horse competi- tion of the Mower County Fair in August. RIGHT: Meany leads a calf along as she pre- pares for the fair.
Something un-precedented hap-pened inside thebarns at theMow-
er County Fair this year.A 4-H’er with more
ambition than the aver-age teen set out to showan animal in every cate-gory of livestock shows,and sheaccomplishedhergoals.Meet LauraMeany.
“It was definitely whatI wanted to reach, butthen I think about how Ididn’t get to spend thatmuch time with myfriends,” said Meany, a17-year-old from RoseCreek. “I don’t think I re-gret it because itwas a lotof fun, and I learned somuch this summer.”
Meany is oneof 4604-H’ers in Mower Countyandwasoneofnearly 350to exhibit projects at the2012, 128th annualMower County Fair.
At the fair, Meany ex-
hibited 11 rabbits, fivepigs, five goats, twodairycalves, two pigeons, twosheep, one dairy steer, allama and a horse, andthat’s only a fractionof theamount of animals she
cared for and trainedwithduring the summer.
“Itwasprettydauntingfor her to make all theseconnections for all the an-imals and all the moneyshe spent,” said Meany’s
mother, Lyn.Meany leased animals
from some farmers whileleasing some of her ownto others. As she grows in4-H, she’s focusing moreabout the learning and
leadership aspects.Meany was one of 20-some 4-H’ers who werestate ambassadors at theMinnesota State Fair thissummer. Meany alsoshowed several animals
and received several rib-bons at the state fair.
“It was different thanwhat I expected, but Iwouldn’t trade it for theworld,”Meany said.
Meany has two yearsof 4-H eligibility remain-ing. Though she won’tshow in every livestockcategory again, she’s ex-cited to help others withtheir projects and to ad-vocate for 4-H. Shehopesto remain involved in 4-Hin some way, such as be-ing a chaperoneor judge,as she grows into adult-hood.
“I definitely think 4-H isgoing to be with methroughout life,” she said.
Lyn may notice morethan others that herdaughterhasmaturedbe-cause of 4-H, as well. Theresponsibility, interactionwith new people andsheer amount of workservedMeanywell.
“I think it was a hugeconfidence builder forher,” Lyn said.
Laura Meany tries to go through everything that has occupied her week during the Mower County Fair in August. Meany showed seven types of animals at the fair, including pigeons,cows, horses, pigs, llamas, rabbits and goats. Herald file photo
Catching up with Meany
Busy 4-H’er accomplished goal to show in every category
“I definitely think 4-His going to be with me
throughout life.”-Laura Meany
LEFT:Meanywaits tocompeteduring the
horsecompeti-tion of theMowerCountyFair inAugust.RIGHT:Meany
TheMower County Fair Board and county of-ficials overcame hurdles this year to make2012 another successful fair.
First, the fair board had 29 days to devise a planfor grandstand seating, of which they accom-plished. Temporary seating was able to seat plen-ty of spectators for Motokazie Supercross, figure-eight trailer races, demolition derbies and bull-riding.
“With grandstand challenges and a few otherweather concerns we had, there’s always thingslike that from year to year that are different,” saidNeal Anderson, fair board president.
As always, weather played a factor, as Sundaywas an all-day rainer. Sprinkles on two other fairnights had a minimal effect, as well.
While fair attendance reached nearly 75,000— down from 84,000 in 2011— Anderson is stillhappy with the turnout and some of the new fea-tures at the fairgrounds. Aside from grandstandissues, Anderson is happy with a new, paved,handicap-only parking lot. A large gazebo for fairgoers to get out of the rain or hot sun was a bonus,too.
As always, a swarm of 4-H’ers, FFA students andopen class exhibitors showed off their livestock,horticulture, posters, fashion and more. One 4-H’er went as far to show an animal in every cate-gory of livestock.
A new event, figure-eight trailer races, drewsome extra interest, as well. The board plans tobring that event back for 2013 andmake track im-provements and extra preparations.
“Overall, we were very satisfied,” Anderson saidabout the 2012 fair. “Our parking, our attendance,our beer garden and grandstand numbers wereall well within lines of what we need to have a suc-cussful event and do it again next year.”
Summerrevisited
Benjamin Miller (8), left, and brother Kenan (6) waveto the rest of the family as they ride the ferris wheelwith their mom, Stephanie Miller, all of Austin, at the2012 Mower County Fair. Photo provided
Troy Peil, from left, Jordan Lenway, Dylan Golbergand Brandon Bickell wait out a passing rain stormfrom the entrance of the DNR Building at the MowerCountry Fair.
Despite dropin attendance,fair board happy
with 2012
For a complete list, including 4-H livestock results, go to austindailyherald.com
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