The application for the 2010 Outstanding Breeder Award at the Redwood Empire Fair is now available here. This award is sponsored by Ukiah Taco Bell and McAsey Farms. Forms must be postmarked by August 20, 2010. For more information, contact Lory McAsey at the Ukiah Rainbow store 42 2404.

The Redwood Empire Fair Premium Books are now available online at www.redwoodempirefair.com.

Fair dates are August 5-8. The theme is "Mardi Gras at The Redwood Empire Fair."

LOCAL GIRL WINS BIG

Whitney Briggs of Willits attended the Humboldt Poultry Fanciers Association's 50th Anniversary Winter Show on February 13th and 14th. The show was held at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka, California.Also, in attendance was Lance Burgess of the Willits 4-H club. Whitney received several Champion and Reserve Champion awards at this show.

Over the last four years, Whitney has been helping 4-H and FFA members in the Willits and Ukiah area, teaching them the joy of raising chickens, how to prepare show birds and poultry showmanship. She was a Junior and Teen Leader in the Willits 4-H Club, as well as assisting Willits FFA adviser, Becky Bowlds, in developing a poultry unit at the Willits High Ag farm. Read Entire Article

Local Youth Compete at the American Rabbit Breeders Association's National Convention

Did you know that local kids have recently been National winners, and brought National titles back to Mendocino County?

What started out as simple 4-H rabbit projects, have been taken to increasingly higher levels over the years by Jessica Crowhurst of Redwood Valley, Colton Pinson and Alicia Welling, both of Willits. These kids keep setting goals, achieving them, and setting higher goals; moving from the local level, to the State level and in 2009 they set their sights on competing at the National level. The American Rabbit Breeders Association's National Convention rotates around the United States, and only comes to California about once every decade. Since the 2009 National Convention was held in San Diego, California, they jumped at the chance to compete with the best in the United States.

To that end, they not only worked diligently at improving their rabbits, but they worked and studied to improve their skills and knowledge. They traveled together last spring, competing up and down the state in an effort to qualify for teams for the youth competitions at the American Rabbit Breeders Association's (ARBA) National Convention. How exciting it was to hear the announcement in early summer that Colton, then 11 years old, had placed first in the State as a junior in judging. Jessica, 15 years old, placed sixth in the state in senior judging. Alicia, 18 years old, ended up eighteenth. All three kids made judging and Breed Identification teams for the National Competition! Read Entire Article

Five Oaks Durocs - Duroc Hogs of Distinction

4H'ers have done well at the fairs with Duroc hogs from Dr. Walt Barr's Five Oaks Durocs, in Potter Valley. Last year Walt's hogs were exhibited at the Redwood Empire, Lake and Humboldt County Fairs. Over 90% of those shown grouped Gold, with many class winners,Champions and Reserves. This is quite an accomplishment amongst tough competition.

Dr. Barr moved to Potter Valley in 1999 and began helping with a 4H market hog project in 2000.   It morphed into a breeding project with a Duroc sow and then in 2002 he took it over from the retired 4H’er.  Since then he has been striving to improve the quality of his Duroc lines, one litter at a time.  Read Entire Article