The final member of the team representing Wayne County 4-H and the state of Ohio at the Western National Round-Up in Denver is Mason Johnson. Mason is a student at Smithville High School and a member of the Country Strong 4-H Club. He is also involved in FFA. 

Mason has been a member of the livestock judging team for many years now, and his favorite part about being on the team is being able to judge livestock all across the state of Ohio (and Denver soon)!

Learning reasons has been an integral part of judging for Mason. "You don't always have to be right in your placing, but you do have to defend your answers," he says. 

His favorite species to judge are sheep. He exhibits market lambs, breeding sheep, market goats and breeding goats at the Wayne County Fair. 

Mason would like to thank the many donors who are making the team's trip to Denver possible. Thank you so much for supporting the 4-H program and youth in Wayne County!

If you've shown livestock at the Wayne County Fair, you've probably met Kendra Marty. The Canaan Country Clovers 4-H Club member has exhibited a wide range of livestock at the fair for many years, including market and breeding goats, market and breeding lambs, steers, market hogs, horses, ducks and market chickens. 

The Ohio State ATI freshman says her favorite part about livestock judging is going to different contests all over the state. "I like that I get to see different types and styles of livestock at judging competitions," Kendra says. 

Her favorite species to judge in contests are goats and she says livestock terminology has been one of her favorite things to learn. 

Kendra and the team are excited to travel to Denver next week! Thank you so much for your support of the team! 

The newest member of the Wayne County 4-H Livestock Judging Team is Makenna Connelly. Despite this being her first year on the team, Makenna has worked hard and learned a lot this past year, even winning the 2021 Wayne County Fair livestock judging contest. 

Makenna is a student at Northwestern Middle School and is a member of Wrangler Kids 4-H Club. She exhibits market hogs, market goats and pygmy goats at the county fair. In addition to being on the judging team, Makenna is also involved in many sports, FFA, Drama club and PRIDE Pack.  

"My favorite part about livestock judging is finding people to share your interests with and seeing so many different animals at contests," Makenna says. "I've learned what qualities, like frame, muscle and more, make good livestock." 

Makenna wants to thank all the donors who have contributed to the team's trip to Denver. Thank you for supporting the youth of Wayne County 4-H!

Since launching our Buckeye Funder campaign on Giving Tuesday, November 30^th, we have now raised $2,058 (41% of our $5,000 goal) to support our Wayne County 4-H Livestock Judging Team on their special trip to Denver this January to represent Ohio in competition at the National Western Stock Show!

A generous family has stepped up and created a challenge for us! If we raise $2,500, they will match it dollar for dollar by writing a check for $2,500 so the Livestock Judging Team can meet its goal for the trip! 

Will you share the link to our Buckeye Funder campaign (https://buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/29283) with your family and friends to help us reach our goal? Thank you all so much for your continued support for the youth of Wayne County 4-H!

Morgan Johnson is a member of the Country Strong 4-H Club and a freshman at Ohio State ATI. Morgan is currently majoring in animal sciences.

During her time in 4-H, Morgan has exhibited market lambs, market goats, market pigs, breeding heifers, breeding sheep, breeding goats and poultry at the Wayne County Fair, as well as completed a variety of still projects.

She’s been a member of the livestock judging team for a few years and has learned many new things from being part of the team, such as decision making skills. Morgan also says being involved with the judging team has pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped shape her personality.

“My favorite parts about livestock judging are making new friends, being able to make jokes with your teammates, seeing the livestock and now earning a trip to Denver,” Morgan says.

Morgan wants to thank the Wayne County community for supporting her and her team’s trip to Denver! Thank you for supporting the youth of Wayne County 4-H!