The 2022 Estevan Regional 4H Show & Sale drew young people from across the southeast this week.

The three day event began on Tuesday and wraps up Thursday night at the Estevan Exhibition Grounds.

"The majority of the kids involved have at least a market steer," said Kirsten Fornwald, the president of the district 4H, adding that there were 63 participants this year ranging from age 6-21. "One of the biggest things with the 4H program is really developing youth and agriculture. Giving them some opportunities to learn about feeding cattle, finishing cattle."

"What it takes to have a herd of your own, the costs involved, the work involved, and knowing what it takes to get a calf from being born to becoming a mom on its own," she added.

 

On Thursday, participants were busy grooming the cattle before ushering them over to be judged. Gavin Fleck of Lampman and his three-person team, that also included Brenna Fornwald and Rowyn Shier, won the overall team grooming category.

"We were the winners of our age group. We just all worked together...we got 20 minutes to do all the gluing of the legs and work the body hair and put the product in and make him look really nice for the show ring," said Fleck, the senior member of the team.

"Teamwork is a big part of it...that's why I like team grooming because you can work as a team."

Kirsten Fornwald said all the participants gain skills that stretch far beyond just cattle ranching.

"The lessons that they learn in 4H are extremely valuable in life," she said. "They learn so many things from public speaking to hard work and dedication and starting and finishing a project."

"We're just really focused on giving these kids a really solid foundation. What is really nice about it is that the kids don't really realize they're learning these things, they're just having fun."

The event concludes with an awards presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday followed by the steer sale at 6 p.m., which has been moved indoors due to the weather.

Estevan Regional 4H Show & SaleA group grooms a cow Thursday morning at the Estevan Regional 4H Show & Sale. (Photo credit: Nolan Kowal)