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Innisfree-Minburn 4-H Beef Club Celebrates 60 Years
Innisfree-Minburn 4-H Beef Club Celebrates 60 Years
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The 60th annual Achievement Day Show & Sale for the Innisfree-Minburn 4-H Beef Club was held on May 29 at the Minburn Ag Grounds.
The sweltering afternoon heat posed a definite challenge, but 4-H members, families, supporters and judges took it all in stride. One of the supporters in the crowd was alumni Ernie (Ernest) Barber, who was involved with the club during its early days.
In fact, Barber said, “My family was actually instrumental in ensuring there was a club here. Parents Ralph and Delcie Barber. We were here in the beginning. 4-H has meant a lot to me for a long time.”
Barber was the second oldest of eight children born to Ralph and Delcie Barber, who farmed six miles north of Minburn. “Every one of us ended up in 4-H at one time.”
He was hoping to recognize more folks at the show and sale, but admits, “It’s been a lot of years.” It has also been a long time since he returned to the area where he grew up.
“I graduated from here in 1968, went to the University of Alberta and got a degree in agriculture. I was finishing up my master’s degree and I applied for a job in British Columbia. I had not scored the job, but something happened and the interviewer came back to Edmonton. I didn’t think the interview was going particularly well, but went I mentioned during the conversation that I had been in 4-H it started a different conversation and I got the job. I actually believe that if I didn’t have that 4-H experience that I would have been overlooked.”
The job was working for the BC Ministry of Agriculture. “I was an agricultural engineer working with farmers on housing for livestock, animal handling, corral design, and animal waste management. I went on from there and was at the University of Saskatchewan for almost 40 years in various professor roles and leadership roles. Also, I was on the Saskatchewan 4-H Foundation. I was Chair of the Board and able to help an alumnus to get another club started.”
Barber went on to say, “4-H is right here for me,” pointing to his heart. Viewing the display, he picks up the trophy he won for Reserve Champion, smiling broadly, as the memories come flooding back.
Club President Camille Kassian, who graduated this year from Delnorte School in Innisfree, also has had many special memories during her years with the club. She pointed out in her special message that, “Our community has strongly supported 4-H over the years and has helped to raise many small town and rural kids that have kept our club running. We are extremely grateful for all the support over the years and are looking forward to many more successful Achievement Days.”
4-H Leader Chris Nott won Grand Champion Steer in 1991. The photo of him with his steer is encased in a wooden plaque that was made by his grandfather Everett. With a big grin on his face, Nott said he and his wife Elise were able to find his old Record Books. Their two eldest children, Ava, 12, and Stella, 10, are members of the club and they both help out when they can. “It’s interesting being a leader. You see a whole other side to it.”
Second year member Brock Jackson was thrilled to win Grand Champion Steer and Grand Champion Female. In addition to banners, he received two belt buckles. He said winning was “sweet” and now will have to go out and buy a new belt for his other buckle!
Reserve Champion Steer was awarded to Kiefer McLaughlin. A four year member of the club, McLaughlin said he had “lots of ups and downs struggling with his steer up until the last while as they had to change halters in recent weeks. His advice, “Try your hardest.”
Austin Garnier won Reserve Champion Female for his cow/calf pair. “This is the third year in a row that she’s won reserve champion female.”
Winners were also declared in the steer conformation class, heifer conformation class, cow/calf conformation class, grooming and showmanship classes as well as rate of gain implanted and non-implanted. Junior, intermediate and senior judging results were also announced.
A total of 23 steers were sold at the sale with the average weight of 1,423 lbs.
