edible notables
ANIMAL DEDICATION
Fallon teen raises, shows, judges, and sells 4-H livestock.
WRITTEN BY MARNIE MCARTHUR
PHOTOS BY CANDICE NYANDO
When you speak with Heather Hancock, it’s hard to remember she just turned 17. The Churchill County High School junior radiates the confidence and capability of someone twice her age.
On her family’s 42-acre ranch in Fallon, Hancock is in charge of all of the farm animals — 28 cows, eight sheep, one horse, and a couple of dogs that help herd the cattle. For many young people in this close-knit ranching community, raising an animal in 4-H programs is a part of life. For Hancock, her animals and 4-H are her life.
“It’s my passion,” she says. “This [barn] is where I live most of the time.”
One of three girls growing up on a ranch, Hancock always played with animals from an early age. She joined the 4-H program when she was 8 years old. Early mentors were Churchill County 4-H Livestock Judging coaches Maureen and Sandy Weishaupt of Stillwater, Nev., who taught her how to evaluate cows, lambs, hogs, and goats. She got her first heifer from Maureen when she was 10.
“Heifers are the best you can have because they make you money,” she says.
Life with livestock
Hancock has spent most of her life raising, showing, and selling cows and sheep. She averages 24 hours a week with her animals, rising at 5:30 a.m. to feed them, returning to the barn after school to work with those she plans to show, then saddling her mare for a ride before dinner. Then it’s homework and bed by 8:30 p.m.
In spite of her busy schedule, Hancock finds time to be a straight-A student, play varsity soccer, work with Future Farmers of America, and attend monthly meetings with three 4-H clubs: Churchill County Beef, Four-Footed Crew (lambs), and Churchill County Livestock Judging. She also is a member of the Quiz Bowl team, a group of four Fallon youths that competes by answering questions on livestock breeding, feeding, judging, and showing. Hancock and her team won the State 4-H Quiz Bowl in May 2014. In January of this year, they represented Nevada in competition for a national title at the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colo. The team placed sixth of 28 teams from across the nation. Competition is extremely stiff; Just to be invited to participate speaks volumes about the team.
Young visionary
Hancock is honored to represent 4-H for her city, county, and state. She strives to be an example for others in the program.
“I’ve learned how to be a good leader and to show the younger kids how to get started the right way with their animals,” she says. “4-H is a team effort.”
Hancock has a clear vision for her future. She’d like to attend veterinary school or do something related to agriculture, particularly in the cattle business.
“I’d like to have my own ranch and breed cows for the commercial market and for show,” she says.
If she keeps working as hard as she does now, she’s likely to get there.
Marnie McArthur is in awe of the passion, energy, and tremendous work ethic of 4-H youths such as Heather Hancock. With so many young people participating in 4-H programs nationwide, it would appear the future of the country is in good hands.
Resources
The Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale is May 13 – 17. For details, visit http://www.Agri.nv.gov/administration/njlsb/njlsb
For more details on 4-H, visit http://www.unce.unr.edu/4h/about/resources
Churchill County Junior Livestock Show & Sale
April 23 – 25
Churchill County Fairgrounds, Fallon
Sale: April 25, 1 p.m.
For details, contact Karen Bogdanowicz at 775-423-6121 or Bogdanowiczk@unce.unr.edu
