"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
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Friday, May 24th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
The Leiding family ready for a busy week at the fair
Mon, Jul 23rd, 2012
Posted in Chatfield Features
Posted in Chatfield Features
Comments
Twin sisters Haely and Kayla Leiding, age 15, have literally grown up with animals and 4-H. They live outside of Fountain with their parents, Todd and Stacy. Their mother, Stacy, also grew up on a farm and was very involved in 4-H.
The girls are showing cattle in both the Olmsted County Fair and the Fillmore County Fair at the same time this year. They will also be showing at the State Fair, which they have done for many years. According to Haely, they are showing a total of 12 cows this year.
“We joined 4-H in second grade, but we have been showing since age two,” shared Haely.
The girls are showing cows in almost every class there is, in a range of ages. The youngest one was one of Kayla’s that was born in March. They spend a lot of time getting them ready and taking care of them.
“We walk them and train them every day,” said Kayla. “Then a few days before the fair we clip them and get them looking nice.”
The morning of the show is a busy one, and they have to get up very early to groom their animals. According to Haely, they show wearing all white as not to be a distraction for the animal. They walk in a circle and let the judges check the cows for good udders, their legs and feet, and their body shape.
Kayla explained the special feed they give the cows the morning of the show. “It’s called Beat Pulp,” she said. “It makes them look fuller.”
Once the fair is underway, the girls are busy staying with their animals all day. They have to wash them every day and take care of them.
“With the dairy cows, you have to stay with them all the time, and clean up after them,” explained Haely.
The sheep get washed, walked, and sheered as well for showing.
“It’s fun,” said Kayla with a smile.
“It’s nice to have friends that do similar things and you have that common interest,” Haely added. “You learn responsibility, you have to take care of the animals and give them the most attention you can.”
“What you get into it is what you get out of it,” said Stacy.
Haely enjoys meeting new people. “It’s also a network for later in life,” she said. “These are people that can get you jobs later.”
When asked if she thinks the work is a good experience for her children, Stacy replied, “Absolutely. They learn hard work and dedication from a young age. We have to work as a team unit here.”
Haely and Kayla attend school in Lanesboro and are also involved in many sports. The farm life keeps them very busy, with chores, animals to take care of and train, and showing for 4-H during the summer. They are also involved in Quiz Bowl teams, which Stacy coaches.
“It’s a busy life, but it’s a nice way to raise a family,” said Stacy. “It’s very rewarding.”
The girls are showing cattle in both the Olmsted County Fair and the Fillmore County Fair at the same time this year. They will also be showing at the State Fair, which they have done for many years. According to Haely, they are showing a total of 12 cows this year.
“We joined 4-H in second grade, but we have been showing since age two,” shared Haely.
The girls are showing cows in almost every class there is, in a range of ages. The youngest one was one of Kayla’s that was born in March. They spend a lot of time getting them ready and taking care of them.
“We walk them and train them every day,” said Kayla. “Then a few days before the fair we clip them and get them looking nice.”
The morning of the show is a busy one, and they have to get up very early to groom their animals. According to Haely, they show wearing all white as not to be a distraction for the animal. They walk in a circle and let the judges check the cows for good udders, their legs and feet, and their body shape.
Kayla explained the special feed they give the cows the morning of the show. “It’s called Beat Pulp,” she said. “It makes them look fuller.”
Once the fair is underway, the girls are busy staying with their animals all day. They have to wash them every day and take care of them.
“With the dairy cows, you have to stay with them all the time, and clean up after them,” explained Haely.
The sheep get washed, walked, and sheered as well for showing.
“It’s fun,” said Kayla with a smile.
“It’s nice to have friends that do similar things and you have that common interest,” Haely added. “You learn responsibility, you have to take care of the animals and give them the most attention you can.”
“What you get into it is what you get out of it,” said Stacy.
Haely enjoys meeting new people. “It’s also a network for later in life,” she said. “These are people that can get you jobs later.”
When asked if she thinks the work is a good experience for her children, Stacy replied, “Absolutely. They learn hard work and dedication from a young age. We have to work as a team unit here.”
Haely and Kayla attend school in Lanesboro and are also involved in many sports. The farm life keeps them very busy, with chores, animals to take care of and train, and showing for 4-H during the summer. They are also involved in Quiz Bowl teams, which Stacy coaches.
“It’s a busy life, but it’s a nice way to raise a family,” said Stacy. “It’s very rewarding.”