THIS LITTLE piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. And this little piggy was a Bedford County 4-H project?
Founded more than a century ago, 4-H began with a mission of teaching rural youth practical skills in agriculture and home economics. The four Hs represent core values in their pledge:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community,
my country, and my world.
When Abbygail Kidder’s family moved here from Florida last year, she’d spent three years showing pigs in 4-H — and she wasn’t about to let a long-distance move slow her down.
“I would say moving was a huge challenge — from starting over at a new high school and a new 4-H program, National FFA Organization club, and rebuilding a sense of show community,” Abbygail said.
Trial and error revealed her love of livestock, so she deeply wanted to continue building on her momentum. “I had tried every sport from cheer to gymnastics to T-ball. I even played an instrument. It was rough,” Abbygail recalled. “My mom grew up in 4-H showing horses, so she suggested we attend a meeting. It was kind of ‘history’ from there! My dad said I had to show a smaller animal to start off with, but I really want to show cattle. I chose a pig, and that’s all it took. I was hooked!”
Showing swine was supposed to be Abbygail’s stepping stone to steers. “Once I got invested in the feed science and how pigs are shaped so fast, I was really drawn in. The nutrition science behind shaping certain aspects of their muscular structure has kept me drawn to the species,” Abbygail said.
Over the last five years, since the age of 11, Abbygail has owned and shown 13 pigs. “My first pig, Oreo, was a great pig. My second year was interesting because we increased from one pig to three, but my fourth season was my best so far. Poppy was our big momma, sweet, and so funny. She actually went back to the breeder to have babies of her own. Sully was a big, sweet boy with a lot of heart, but he was terrified of balloons.”
The Kidders visit a reputable breeder and discuss their goals for the upcoming season, and then the challenges — and fun — begin.
“Once we have our pigs in the barn, we will get straight to work,” Abbygail said. “We spend a lot of time in their pens, washing them, and teaching them how to walk with a whip. From there, depending on the season, we will take them to five to 10 shows over a six-month period. Once we finish showing them, we work on selling them. They are a terminated animal unless the females return to the breeder to be bred. So, they will go to market shortly after we are done showing them.”
Bedford County 4-H Extension Agent Samantha Peyton Banks said, “Abbygail’s success in her swine project stems from relentless hard work and a deep sense of responsibility, as she consistently goes above and beyond in preparing and caring for her animals. Her dedication to excellence in the show ring reflects the kind of perseverance and leadership that deserves recognition.”
All of her dedication and late nights paid off when Abbygail won Reserve Senior Level 1 Showman at the Central Region Swine Show.
“Everyone knows I have an extreme passion for the livestock industry, so after graduation, I might explore the cattle industry more. Right now, school is my number one priority since I can’t achieve any of my goals without it. I plan to pursue something in the agriculture field and specialize in large animal nutrition or possibly become a geneticist. I might even start my own supplement company one day.”
The Bedford County 4-H program began in 1920 as an initiative to shape the lives of young people through hands-on learning and community involvement.
“Today, 4-H in Bedford County is stronger than ever, with 62 active clubs meeting in the classrooms across the county. Over 1,470 fourth to 12th grade students participate in programs that build communication skills, financial literacy, leadership, and citizenship. Youth have opportunities to join 10 different judging teams, a grilling team, a creative arts project group, and an animal science project group. Livestock remains a strong tradition, with students showing dairy cattle, goats, sheep, beef cattle, and hogs — even horses — at regional, state, and national levels,” Banks said.
This past July, 34 local youths entered their projects and baked goods into the exhibit building at the Bedford County Fair, and several won awards at the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. GN
For more information about 4-H, go to: http://bedford.tennessee.edu/
Tennessee State Fair Winners:
Abbygail Kidder
3rd overall Crossbred Barrow
Jake Ozburn
Reserve Grand Champion Limousin Heifer
Josie Ozburn
Grand Champion Limousin Heifer
Ansley O’Brien
Reserve Grand Champion Jersey Heifer
Maggie Brcka
Senior Champion Guernsey
Kinsleigh Blackburn
2nd place Crochet — Youth Afghan
Laura Cothran
1st place & Best of the Best Champion: Sewing — Pillow — Youth
