Nicole Riemer is proud to be part of her family’s 4-H tradition.
She has been in 4-H since she was four years old, following in her older sister’s footsteps. Like many 4-Hers, Riemer started out in the market club by raising a hog she remembers fondly. The hog’s name was Red Bull, and no, it didn’t grow wings.
Riemer said it was a lot of work for her age.
“I walked him everyday for an hour and gave him a bath everyday,” the now 19-year-old said. “It liked to get dirty like most pigs do.”
Riemer is one of many 4-Hers set to take part in the Ashland County Fair Aug. 15-18 in Marengo.
The more time she spent with Red Bull, the more the hog became her friend.
“I spend so much time with them. (They become) more like a pet, like the family dog,” she said.
She felt that way about all the animals she has raised over the years. Riemer now enjoys raising a much larger animal — a steer. The steer she’s taking care of this year is named Teddy, because it looks like the popular stuffed animal in a way, she said.
“He’s really sweet. He’s about 1,300 pounds,” she said.
Based on its size alone, looking after a steer like Teddy is “a lot more work,” Riemer said.
“It’s a lot more work and a lot more hours,” she said. “Hogs, you get only a few months before the fair. Steers, you get them 10-11 months before.”
There is a risk of injury on the job.
“I’ve gotten kicked in the knee. Some times they just kick for no reason when they get that little spunk of energy,” Riemer said.
She has raised six steers in her time with 4-H, forming a connection with each one.
The more she connects with them, the harder it is to say goodbye when they’re sold at the fair, she said.
Doing well at the fair, Riemer said, takes a lot of work. The more she works with her animal, the more trust the animal has in her. The more trust the animal has in her, the better they perform on judging day, which takes place Friday.
Joining her at the fair will be 10-year old Elliot Richardson, who is raising a hog named Nelly.
“She’s a Yorkshire. She loves belly rubs and marshmallows, but does not like cold showers, he said in a post on the 4-H club’s Facebook page.
There’s also first grader Ava Mika and her lamb, King. This is Ava’s first year selling in the market sale and she had some help raising her lamb.
“I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for helping me raise my lamb,” she said in a post on Facebook.
Riemer hopes more kids like Richardson and Mika join 4-H.
“There’s a lot of things that go with joining,” she said. “I’ve done 4-H camp over the summer, ski club, sewing club,” she said.
Membership in 4-H is down in recent years. This could because of a couple reasons, she said.
“Some kids don’t really know what 4-H is. I don’t think parents know what it involves. Sports are more popular,” Riemer said.
She is happy to be passing on what she’s learned to her younger brother. Being a part of the family tradition “feels good,” she said.
“I’m trying to make my mom and dad proud,” she said.
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