Melanie Calhoun (seated) was selected Grand Master Showman at the Hemlock Fair. She is surrounded by other youngsters who earned certificates at the Fair. Photo submitted by Aimee Calhoun
During the week of July 17th, Melanie Calhoun of Honeoye Falls competed in many animal shows at the Hemlock Fair as a member of Livingston County 4-H. This was her third year participating in the fair.
Calhoun showed many of her own animals including two sheep, two rabbits and a cavy (guinea pig). She also raised and showed four market birds in the poultry show. For the second year in a row, Coyne Farms gave her the privilege of showing one of their heifers in the dairy show.
Calhoun earned the following awards at the fair: Reserve Master Poultry Showman, Master Dairy Showman (for the second year in a row) and Master Sheep Showman.
One of her Champagne D’Argent rabbits earned the title of Champion Commercial Breed as well as Reserve Best of Show. Recently, Calhoun became a breeder of Champagne D’Argent rabbits.
Her guinea pig also earned the title of Reserve Best of Show.
Earning the title of Master Sheep Showman gave Calhoun the opportunity to compete in the Grand Master Showman competition on July 21st. She and seven other 4-H members were required to show each of the following eight species: poultry, cavy, rabbit, sheep, goat, swine, beef and dairy. After the competition which lasted about four hours, the judge selected Calhoun as Grand Master Showman!
In addition to all of the ribbons, gift cards, certificates and sweatshirts that she earned, she received a Director’s Chair for being Grand Master Showman. Calhoun is a senior this year at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School and is planning to attend college to study Animal and Dairy Science.
