A gang of four middle-school-age boys climb the antique tractors sitting next to the Tac-O’ the Town truck, laughing and discussing tomorrow’s 4-H competition. It will be Avery Carl’s first year participating.
The friends decide to head over to the barn, to check in on Avery’s cows. The team hitches a ride on the courtesy shuttle. “We’ll need a ride after to the ‘Are you a good person?’ stand,” Avery let the driver know, referring to a tent where people talk about religion. “I’m supposed to be picking up elderly people,” the driver replied with a laugh after dropping the boys at the barn.
“We’ve been coming since we were babies. We hang out every year,” the Avery’s friends explained as Avery tended to Rosie and Matt. He scooped hay and gave each cow a quick pet before running off with his buddies.
Avery comes from a long line of 4-H competitors. His parents, Matt and Lindsey Carl, owners Circle C Farm in Bridport, each had their time to shine in the Field Days Show Area at previous fairs. Avery’s younger brother, Parker, was also due to be competing for the first time this year.
Lindsey praised her sons for their hard work in preparation for Friday’s event. “A big part of 4-H is that (the kids) do the work themselves,” she said. “It’s important that kids learn a good work ethic. There’s nothing better than farming to teach kids that.”
Although Parker and Avery are doing the dirty work, competition prep has been an educational experience for the whole family. Lindsey and Matt have been raising beef for the past 15 years, but their show experience is exclusively in dairy and horse. So, this was the family’s first foray into beef.
— Nora Peachin