The Graham County 4-H Livestock Club – also known as the Misfit Wranglers – formed just this year, but the club has already competed in three agricultural fairs in the past two months.
They started their whirlwind tour of regional competitions at the Swain County Agricultural Fair in Bryson City on Saturday, Aug. 17, moved on to the Haywood County Fair in Waynesville on Thursday, Aug. 22 and finished up at the Mountain State Fair in Asheville, which lasted from Sept. 6-15.
The 30 Misfit Wranglers showcased an array of skills and talents, from horseback riding to chocolate-chip cookie baking and photography to vegetable canning.
4-H coaches Annette and Carol Ensley of Double 00 Farm in Tuskegee led their young agriculture enthusiasts through the month of competition
The Misfit Wranglers even pressured the Ensley’s to join the fray. Both Ensley’s won prizes for their photography, and Annette “cleaned up” at horseback riding.
After much chiding from her students, Annette “pulled my mare out of the pasture, rode her four times and took her to the show.”
Ultimately, Annette was glad she gave in to pressure from her students, saying, “It was nice riding with my girls.”
“The girls” included first-time competitors Emma Beasley, Kosi Wilmot and Abby Lancaster, as well as Klancy Stevens and Chasity Jones.
All of those competitions in the span of one month did not come without complications, including a truck breaking down on the way to Asheville. Annette was hauling a trailer full of pigs, bottle calves, chickens and goats, while her husband hauled horses in another rig. While waiting three hours with her animals, Annette had to use drinking water from her cooler to keep them from overheating.
“Especially the pigs,” she said. “People think they sweat like pigs, but pigs actually can’t sweat at all, so if you don’t cool them down, they die.” The Ensley’s managed to keep all the animals healthy and arrive in time to compete at the week-long fair.
“There’s such an amazing variety of classes to compete in,” said Annette. “We can compete in any livestock class, not just large animals. From chickens and rabbits to goats and sheep, cattle and pigs, there’s something for everybody.”
The Ensley’s own granddaughter, Reagan, also showed pigs in competition.
Livestock competitions are just one aspect of the 4-H club. Members also showed in the produce and photography competitions, with the three Lancaster sisters taking home ribbons in both categories.
Abby Lancaster took home a blue ribbon for her fresh green beans and red for her canned vegetables and pear tomatoes, while Christina took first place for both her small hot peppers and her photo in the animal division. Lilly also took home two ribbons: second place for her photo in the agriculture division and first for her chocolate chip cookies.
The Ensley’s look forward to guiding their Misfit Wranglers through all of the same competitions again next year.
The Graham County 4-H always welcomes new members.
Interested parties may contact Double 00 Farm at 736-4848.