This week`s features

Youngest generation continues family tradition
of oxen driving competition
by Laura Rodley
When you enter Grace (best
known
as
Gracie)
Thompson’s home you don’t
have far to look to see the
slew of ribbons that she won
team, each ox weighing
approximately 300 pounds.
The judge inquired how
well entrants knew their
bulls and equipment. “He
was asking us what they
Nathan Clark works with Tucker and Ringer, a new prize winning
team of oxen.
this year with her first oxen
pair, Red and Tiger. She won
her first blue ribbon at the
144th annual Cummington
Fair at age 4, the youngest
competitor in her class at the
three fairs she entered.
Driving bulls is a family tradition, started by her greatgreat grandfather, the late
Darwin Clark Sr.
It is at her grandfather
Nathan Clark’s “Clark Farm”
where she keeps her oxen.
She resides in Buckland,
with minimal space to keep
them at home. She received
her “off” ox, Red, the ox positioned on the team’s right, in
May. “He was not even a
week old, just a baby,” said
her
mother
Samantha
Thompson.
Gracie received her nigh ox,
Tiger, in June, guiding them
using commands “gee” and
“haw” and her grandfather’s
braided leather lash. “I drive
‘em with it. It was Grandpa’s
from when his bulls were little,” she noted. She practiced
driving by having them pull a
tire at her grandparents’
farm.
She placed 4th out of five
contestants at her first fair,
the Heath Fair. The next
weekend at Cummington
Fair, she earned a blue ribbon, one 2nd place, two 3rd
place, one 4th and pulled an
empty stone boat with her
were in. We all had to say,
‘yoke,’” said Gracie.
Each time she wore her
dark
blue
short-sleeved
“lucky shirt,” embroidered
with the logo “JPLivestock,”
for Josh Porter Livestock,
who obtained Tiger for her
this summer. “He is going to
find her a pair of black and
white calves this spring,”
explained Samantha.
A team, even a winning
team, only lasts so long.
Since the fair circuit ended in
September, Red and Tiger
have been retired at five
months old, already too big
for her to handle, Tiger sold
at auction and Red was
turned out to pasture at the
farm.
Red and Tiger were Red
Holsteins, not a strong breed
for pulling, noted Samantha,
but just right for Gracie’s
first pair.
Growing up surrounded by
her own father’s oxen teams,
Samantha used to compete
as well, starting at age 13 or
14 with her own team, Pat
and Star. “My brother was
more into it at Gracie’s age.
We went to a million different
fairs,” she said, recalling
competing in the fair circuit
with younger brother, Daniel
Clark. After showing her
team two years, she chose a
new job and friends over “the
bull life.”
Regarding
competing,
Samantha reminisced, “I
liked being with the family. It
was a big family event.
Everybody was there.” She
also liked getting to know the
ox, forming a bond, a friendship. “Try not to get too
attached, don’t know if they
are going to be good enough
to pull. That’s what we tried
to tell Gracie, to not get too
attached.”
But sometimes there’s an
outstanding team that tugs
at your heart, earning legendary status. “[My father]
had a very good team named
Buck and Bud, probably won
every class for three years at
every fair he went to. They
got old. Since then he has
been struggling to get a new
team,” Samantha said, meas-
The prize-winning girl in action! Gracie uses terms such as“gee”
and “haw” to command her team, Red and Tiger.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Thompson
Gracie, Samantha and Olivia Thompson sit in front of Gracie’s many
prize-winning ribbons.
Photos by Laura Rodley
uring everyone against Buck
and Bud. “No team is going to
be as good as this team.”
That may change; this season, his new team, Tuck and
Ringer, won 1st in Deerfield
and Warner, NH. One ton
each, age 2 and 3 respectively, “They haven’t got that far
yet, only one month (on the
circuit),”
explained
her
father.
Nathan learned pulling
from his father, William Clark
and his grandfather, Darwin
Clark Sr. His family came
from Hawley originally. Thirty
years ago, his family moved
to Heath when his brother
Kyle was in sixth grade and
he in 10th. The family raised
replacement heifers, usually
black and white Holsteins,
and had their own milking
cows but did not sell milk.
His father had oxen for a
hobby and used them for his
logging business, now run by
his sons.
“My brother and I used
them right up until we got
our skidder, 21 years ago,”
said Nathan, at the 80 acre
farm. “That’s all we do, logging and firewood,” mainly in
Franklin County, sometimes
Northampton.
For the last three years, he
and his brother Kyle have
raised their own ox calves,
working toward an all-white
Chianina
Italian
breed.
Because they are stronger,
with blockier legs and more
muscle, they are in demand.
Previously they bought their
ox calves.
Tuck is half-Chianina. The
legendary Buck and Bud
were half-Chianina, half
Holstein. They were so easily
managed that at age 5,
Daniel drove them to assist
with logging.
One bull calf born this
year, one-quarter Chianina,
was part of a team shown by
his brother’s daughter, 15
year old Miranda Clark, that
won at the Franklin County
Fair.
Two cows are due to calve
around November. “Heifer or
bulls, you don’t know,” he
said, upping the excitement.
They have four cows total in
their herd of 18.
Daniel remains at the farm,
showing two or three pairs
yearly.
Looking into the future,
Samantha says her one-year
old Olivia is more into it than
Gracie. “She has no fear of
the bulls.” Yet another Clark
teamster on her way.
This family is all about dairy
by Sanne Kure-Jensen
The Clark family of GMC Farm in
Cornish Flat, NH, has been operating a
small dairy farm for three generations.
The farm currently has 120 dairy cows;
55 are milked daily. The four children
grew up with farm chores and so far at
least two will be continuing in the family’s dairy tradition.
The Clarks have been attending dairy
competitions like The Big E and World
Dairy Expos for over 25 years. The next
generation of Clark children has been
exhibiting their family’s registered
Milking Shorthorn, Brown Swiss and
Holstein cattle at a variety of dairy
shows for nearly a decade. Brooke and
Lindsey swept the Milking Shorthorn
Show awards and honors.
The Big E’s 2012
Dairy Shows
At the Northeastern National Junior
Milking Shorthorn Show, Brooke Clark
won twelve prizes with these animals:
• First in Spring Heifer Calf with GMC
Othello Lacey-ET
• First in Junior Two Year Old Cow
with GMC Logic Payton and second
with GMC Zues Princess 1022
• First in Senior Two Year Old Cow
with Blue Spruce Famous Mallory and
second with GMC Red Ruben JoanieEXP
• First in Five Year Old Cow with
Clayside Dairybell OTH Desiree
• Reserve Senior Champion and
Reserve Grand Champion with Blue
Spruce Famous Mallory
• Reserve Grand Champion and
Champion Bred & Owned with GMC
Logic Payton
• First in Showmanship, Group - 1
• Champion Showperson
The
Tractor
Supply
Company (TSC) store in
Derby, VT has continued to
show its strong support for
University of Vermont (UVM)
Extension 4-H in Orleans
County through its 4-H Paper
Clover Campaign fundraising
efforts. It has participated in
five campaigns, the most
recent of which ended Sept.
30.
More than 1,000 TSC and
Del’s Feed and Farm Supply
stores in 44 states, including
six in Vermont, participate in
the semi-annual promotional
campaign. It has been held
every spring and fall since fall
2010 in partnership with the
National 4-H Council.
Shoppers are asked to purchase a paper clover at checkout for $1 or more with proceeds from each sale used to
fund local 4-H programs and
events. In Orleans County, the
money is used primarily for
club needs including curricu-
Lindsey Clark and her animals
brought home nine prizes from this
show:
• Second in Fall Heifer Calf with GMC
Kaiser Lily
• Reserve Junior Champion and
Second in Fall Yearling Heifer (Not in
Milk) with GMC Zues Rosanne-EXP
• Third in Junior Two Year Old Cow
with Ecuafarm Kaiser Cherry-EXP
• First in Senior Three Year Old Cow
with GMC Logic Redrose and second
with Innisfail Jonathan Rosey-EXP
• Senior Champion and Grand
Champion with GMC Logic Redrose
• First in Showmanship, Group - 2
At the Open Milking Shorthorn Show,
the Clark family won 14 First prize
awards: Junior Champion, Reserve
Junior
Champion,
Intermediate
Champion and Reserve Intermediate
Champion, Reserve Senior Champion,
Grand Champion and Honorable
Mention Grand Champion, Premier
Exhibitor & Queen of the Milky Way.
Brooke Clark was first overall in the 4H Dairy judging contest.
The Clark family and GMC Farm also
participated in The Big E’s 2012
Northeast Fall National Holstein Show
and Northeast Brown Swiss Show. To
view the detailed results and event photos, see www.thebige.com/agriculture/2012ShowResultsPhotos.asp. The
American Milking Shorthorn Society
(www.milkingshorthorn.com) donated
bright green T-shirts to all the Junior
Show competitors.
wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Clark and their
three your children at Ginger Valley
Farm. Liz said they house the heifers
and non-lactating cows. “This year, the
ones that need milking stay up the road
at GMC Farm. Within the next six
months, we’ll ask our bank for a loan to
build a milking parlor.”
Off-farm income makes farming possible for both these families. When
asked if he wanted to be a dairy farmer
when he grew up, like his parents and
grandparents, Johnny Clark (age 6)
replied, “OK, but I’ll need another job
too….My mom is a nurse and my dad
works at Minox USA with my
Grandma.”
I first saw Cassie Clark (age 4) confidently walking a young Milking
Shorthorn, twice her height, by a bright
purple lead. Her father walked nearby
chatting quietly.
The three youngest Clarks (Johnny,
Cassie and Zack) have attended dairy
shows with GMC Farm and their aunts
for as long as they can remember. Each
child knows all the farms’ cows by
name and number. Johnny told me
which cows they can snuggle with and
which ones are “grumpy.”
The Clarks expand in the Dairy
Neighborhood
Just a few months ago, Brooke’s and
Lindsey’s older brother Gregory moved
in three miles down the road with his
Johnny Clark (age 6) of Ginger Valley Farm loves “Mariah,” his Milking Shorthorn.
Photo by Sanne Kure-Jensen
Orleans County 4-H reaps benefits
from 4-H paper clover campaign
lum, supplies and awards.
“Our local 4-H clubs actively
participate in the campaigns
by setting up 4-H exhibits in
the store and talking to customers about 4-H, their projects and what it means to
them,” says Lindy Birch, UVM
Extension 4-H educator for
Orleans and Essex Counties.
Members of the Border
Livestock Plus 4-H Club,
Derby; Horse Sense 4-H Club,
Glover; and Horsefeathers 4-H
Club, Barton; have all helped
promote 4-H during recent
campaigns.
In the 2012 Spring Paper
Clover campaign, the most
recent campaign where results
have been tallied, the store
raised $1,656. It was one of
the top five TSC stores in the
Northeast region for highest
percentage of transactions
that included a clover donation, earning recognition as a
Regional Champion. The store
also was named a District
Champion for highest transaction percentage in its district
and Class Champion for raising a minimum of $300 with
more than 15 percent of all
transactions including the
purchase of a paper clover.
In the fall 2010 campaign,
the Derby store had the highest paper clover sales in the
state. It also has been recognized as a Regional Champion
twice before, both in spring
and fall of 2011.
“It has been phenomenal to
have this Tractor Supply store
as a source of funds for our 4H members and leaders,”
Birch says, crediting the
strong
support
of
Kyle
Webster, store manager, and
Rachel Feeley, assistant store
manager, for the great success
of the campaign in Orleans
County. “Without their continued commitment to this
fundraising effort, 4-H would
not benefit as much as it has.”
Members of the Border Livestock Plus 4-H Club were on hand
recently to help recognize the Tractor Supply Company store in
Derby for its fundraising efforts on behalf of Orleans County 4-H
during the 2012 Spring Paper Clover campaign. From L-R, 4-H’er
Maverick O’Meara, Irasburg; TSC assistant manager Rachel Feeley;
4-H’er Mackalya O’Meara, Irasburg; and 4-H club leader Clara
Nadeau, Holland.
Photo courtesy of UVM Extension 4-H
Kids prep for national competition through regional 4-H horse contests
The New England Regional 4-H Horse
Contests, held in Goffstown, NH on Oct.
7, produced several big winners from
the University of Vermont (UVM)
Extension 4-H delegation.
Nearly 50 4-H club members from
throughout the region competed at the
event, which took place at the
Goffstown High School and Oak Rise
Farm (horse judging). The competition
helps prepare the youths for Eastern
National 4-H Horse Roundup in
Louisville, KY in November, which
attracts competitors from more than 30
different states.
At the New England Regional 4-H
Horse Contests, both the Vermont judging and quiz bowl teams captured first
place with the latter team winning by
one point on the final question. The
Vermont hippology team placed third.
Members of the judging team included Bethany Demuynck, Underhill;
Jennifer Dickinson, Colchester; and
Kaelyn Jenny, Essex Junction. Emily
Campbell of Montpelier, also a member
of this team, was unable to attend but
will join the team in Kentucky.
Jennifer was third highest individual
overall in judging. Kaelyn was second
highest individual scorer in judging
classes. Bethany placed third in classes
and second in individual oral reasons.
Allison Bachmann, Ira; Jen Carp,
Colchester; Summer Colley, Colchester;
and Kaila Stewart, Waterford; represented the state in quiz bowl competition.
The hippology team included Hillary
Fay,
Westford;
Mariah
Palmer,
Hartland; Emi Schweikert, Underhill;
and Courtney Stearns, Brandon. In
individual placements, Courtney was
third high individual in the stations
phase where participants earn points
for correctly identifying horse-related
items such as different equipment,
breeds and forages.
In other contests, Jessie Bachmann,
Ira, and Julia Dockum, Fair Haven, finished first in team demonstration. Kyle
Scott, Milton, took fourth place in individual demonstration. Morgan Quimby,
Underhill, came in second in public
speaking.
Coaches for the Vermont delegation
include Tina Bachmann, Ira (team
demonstration);
Deb
Danforth,
Cover Photo by Sanne Kure-Jensen
Johnny and Cassie Clark of Ginger Valley Farm have been
attending Dairy Shows for as long as they can remember.
They know each of their cows by both name and number!
Vermont 4-H’ers competing in the communications contests at the New England
Regional 4-H Horse Contests in Goffstown, NH, Oct. 7, included (L to R): Morgan
Quimby, Underhill; Julia Dockum, Fair Haven; Jessie Bachmann, Ira; and Kyle Scott,
Milton.
Photo by Kristin Quimby
Castleton (judging); Norma Katz,
Springfield (quiz bowl); Kathy Kennett,
Panton (hippology); Kristin Quimby,
Underhill (public speaking); and Andrea
Scott,
Milton
(individual
demonstration).
For more information the Vermont 4H horse program and Eastern National
4-H Horse Roundup, Nov. 2-4, contact
UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator
Wendy
Sorrell
at
[email protected].
Country Folks
New England Farm Weekly
U.S.P.S. 708-470
Country Folks New England Farm Weekly (ISSN 1536-0784) is published every week on Monday by
Lee Publications, PO Box 121, 6113 St. Hwy. 5, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428.
Periodical postage paid at Palatine Bridge Post Office, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 and at an additional mailing office. Subscription Price: $47 per year, $78 for 2 years.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to Country Folks New England Farm Weekly, P.O. Box 121,
6113 St. Hwy. 5, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428. 518-673-2448.
Country Folks is the official publication of the Northeast DHIA.
Publisher, President .....................Frederick W. Lee, 518-673-0134
V.P., Production................................Mark W. Lee, 518-673-0132........................... [email protected]
V.P., General Manager.....................Bruce Button, 518-673-0104...................... [email protected]
Managing Editor...........................Joan Kark-Wren, 518-673-0141................. [email protected]
Assistant Editor.............................Richard Petrillo, 518-673-0145...................... [email protected]
Page Composition..........................Alison Swartz, 518-673-0139...................... [email protected]
Comptroller.....................................Robert Moyer, 518-673-0148....................... [email protected]
Production Coordinator................Jessica Mackay, 518-673-0137.................... [email protected]
Classified Ad Manager....................Peggy Patrei, 518-673-0111..................... [email protected]
Shop Foreman ...................................................... ..........................................................Harry Delong
Palatine Bridge, Front desk ....................518-673-0160...................... Web site: www.leepub.com
Accounting/Billing Office ........................518-673-0149 ............................... [email protected]
Subscriptions ..........................................888-596-5329 .................... [email protected]
Send all correspondence to:
PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 • Fax (518) 673-2699
Editorial email: [email protected]
Advertising email: [email protected]
AD SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Bruce Button, Corporate Sales Mgr .......Palatine Bridge, NY ........................................518-673-0104
Scott Duffy.................................................. Reading, VT...............................................802-484-7240
Sue Thomas ...................................... suethomas1@cox.net........................................949-599-6800
Ian Hitchener ..............................................Bradford, VT ...............................................518-210-2066
Jan Andrews..........................................Palatine Bridge, NY..........................................518-673-0110
Dave Dornburgh ....................................Palatine Bridge, NY..........................................518-673-0109
Steve Heiser ..........................................Palatine Bridge, NY..........................................518-673-0107
Tina Krieger ..........................................Palatine Bridge, NY..........................................518-673-0108
Kathy LaScala....................................katelascala@gmail.com.........................................913-486-7184
We cannot GUARANTEE the return of photographs. Publisher not responsible for typographical errors.
Size, style of type and locations of advertisements are left to the discretion of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. We will not knowingly
accept or publish advertising which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The publisher reserves the
sole right to edit, revise or reject any and all advertising with or without cause being assigned which
in his judgement is unwholesome or contrary to the interest of this publication. We assume no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisement, but if at fault, will reprint that portion of the
ad in which the error appears.
At the New England Regional 4-H Horse Contests in Goffstown, NH, Oct. 7, the
Vermont 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Team took first place, winning the competition by one
point in the final round. Team members were (L to R): Jen Carp, Colchester; Allison
Bachmann, Ira; Summer Colley, Colchester; and Kaila Stewart, Waterford.
Photo by Mary Fay/UVM Extension 4-H
For complete weekly ag news for the
Mid-Atlantic and New England areas
Subscribe to
Country Folks
Phone: 800-218-5586
E-mail: [email protected]
One year ~ $47
Two years ~ $78
Digital and print versions available.