Farm Show an ‘Experience’ for Susquehanna County Youth

Charlene M. Shupp
Espenshade
Special Sections Editor

For Dempsey and Devin Hollenbeck, exhibiting livestock at the Pennsylvania Farm Show brings a whole new set of skills. From addressing the large crowds, prepping market livestock in challenging weather, and competing in much larger contests, the Farm Show is an experience both 4-H’ers would don’t want to miss out on.

The children of Chad and Shelly Hollenbeck of Kingsley, Pa., the family has been participating for “quite a while,” according to Devin, 16, who has entered a lamb in the junior market livestock contests.

“We like to go for the experience,” he said on why they make the nearly three-hour trip to Harrisburg from Susquehanna County. “There is a lot more people and competition.”

For Dempsey, 11, she likes the opportunity to learn more about her market lambs during the competition. She has also entered a market lamb.

Devin said the encouragement to enter livestock in the Farm Show came from Mike Hardisky, a sheep breeder from Wyoming County. For several years, the family has selected their market lambs from his flock.

While Devin and Dempsey did not breed the animals, the selection process is based on their decisions. When looking over animals, Devin said, he follows a set of guidelines based on what traits are important to him. Dempsey said she will select her animals “with help from Devin.”

Getting ready for Farm Show is an involved process that does not end with the selection of the market animals. Hours of work are needed in getting the animals to “make weight” for the market classes. Devin said he manages the ration fed to the animals, monitoring them closely as they gain weight. If the lambs look like they are getting too heavy, he will put them on a diet.

Managing weight gain in market livestock is important. If the animals do not meet the minimum weight requirements or they exceed the maximum, they will be ineligible to show. Also, when in competition, having the animal with the proper finish for their frame is important.

Both Devin and Dempsey had raised pigs for the show and sale. However, this week, they were disappointed to find that the pigs didn’t “make weight.”

While the siblings have not scored a champion rosette or first place ribbon at the Farm Show, they have seen success through the years finding themselves near the top of their classes. One year, Devin placed third out of a class of nearly 20 lambs. “I was pretty excited,” he said on the placing. Dempsey was excited to place in seventh last year with her lamb in a class of 18.

In addition to showing at the Farm Show, the family also participates in the livestock program in Susquehanna County. They are members of the Baconeers 4-H Swine Club and the Bow Bridge Shepherds 4-H Club. Locally, they show and sell animals at the Harford Fair.

The Farm Show Junior Market Livestock shows will begin next weekend. The Junior Market Lamb Show will be in the Small Arena on Sunday Jan. 10 starting at 8 a.m. Qualifying junior market animals will sell immediately following the Sale of Champions on Tuesday Jan. 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the small arena.

Charlene Shupp Espenshade can be reached at cshupp.eph@lnpnews.com.