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Wednesday, August 23, 2006 · Page 7 Essex teen grabs Grand Champion Showman Award at Comber Fair BY DANIEL SCHWAB A year of hard work and dedication paid off for Kyra Johnston Aug. 12, when she received the Grand Champion Showman award at the Comber Fair. As a third-year competitor in the event, Johnston showed Charcoal, a 1,335 pound beef steer. Johnston practised for about a year for the event. During the school year, she worked with Charcoal every weekend and during the summer she increased the routine to every other day. On the day of the 4-H club competition, Johnston was ready but still a little nervous. "I was competing against some pretty good showmen," the 15-year-old said. "But I love doing it and I think that showed through." Twelve Junior Division showmen, ages 10 -16, competed in the event. Most of the cattle were acting up, including Charcoal, said Alan Rogers, leader of the Essex 4-H Beef Club and Johnston's instructor for the past three years. "She managed to keep her cool," Rogers said. "She's what I call a natural. There are some things you can teach and there are other things that people can just pick up on their own ­ that's Kyra." Judges designated the cattle into light, medium and heavy classes. Charcoal was the heaviest in the competition. The judges looked at the amount of control Johnston had over the animal, and the way she presented Charcoal around the ring. tion of mulch, which increases soil organic matter and aids nutrient uptake. Organic matter is critical for healthy soil. "We use mulch generously to build organic matter--400 large round bales are spread under the trees each year," Herbert explains. Mulch also conserves water and moderates temperatures. Part of the orchard relies on city water, creating another economic incentive to conserve. Two storage lagoons at the base of the escarpment provide a pumped water source for the rest of the orchard. Testing each field with a soil moisture meter, they water only as required, using drip irrigation as a further conservation measure. While the aesthetics and natural significance of the escarpment are assets to the KISS OF VICTORY ­ Kyra Johnston, 15, kisses her 1,335-pound beef steer Charcoal during the Comber Fair Aug. 12. Johnston received the Grand Champion Showman award at the event. Competitors also had to situate the steer quickly and set up its feet squarely so judges could inspect it. After placing first in the Junior Division, Johnston squared off against the winner of the senior competition, operation, damage by wildlife is a force to contend with. "We spent $70,000 on fencing in 2001 to keep the deer out", says Herbert. Coyotes chew the for ages 17 ­ 21. Using a show-stick to guide Charcoal around the ring, Johnston came out on top a second time. "It's really rewarding because it gave me a chance to show off what I've been drip irrigation pipes, necessitating burial of the pipes, and they use several devices to deter birds from stripping fruit from the trees. "Soil and plant testing, working on," she said. The Essex native and selfdescribed "animal lover" has been a member of the 4-H Club since age 12. As a member of the beef club, she learned how to train the steer and keep it at a good mulch, soil moisture metering and wildlife control-- these all help keep our orchards healthy and productive," says Herbert. They're also methods weight. "I fell in love with the club," she said. Next, Johnston will be presenting a dairy calf in the showmanship class at the Harrow Fair, Sept. 1-4. E.D. SMITH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Economics is a strong driver in the management and operation of any farm. But as Herbert has found, economic incentives to conserve their soil and water resources also benefit the environment. "To produce quality fruit you need the right balance of nutrients," Herbert emphasizes. "We test soil samples in each field annually." Based on their analyses, they adjust inputs accordingly, minimizing the costs of excess--both economic and environmental. Testing of tree leaf samples in each field either confirms the balance of nutrients in the soil, or indicates the need for measures to improve uptake. Such measures include the addi- endorsed by EFP, making it yet another tool for E.D. Smith Cherry Farm to ensure, in Herbert's words, "the careful use of all our resources". 152 Years August 31 - September 3 Saturday, September 3rd 9:00 am to 5:00 pm - Demonstration Tent, by Scout Hall 10:00 am - 4-H Dairy Club, Achievement Day, Show Ring 11:00 am - Pie Eating Contest, Demonstration Tent 12:00 PARADE: starts from the Country Depot on Sinasac; Wednesday, August 30th Thursday, August 31st 9:00 am 1:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm - 10:00 am - 9 pm - RECEIVING all exhibits to the halls (Please note that the halls will NOT be open before 10:00 am) Goods are to be in place by 9:00 pm JUDGING of all hall exhibits: hand crafts, baking, grains, seeds, vegetables, flowers, fruits, poultry GATES OPEN to the Public BUILDINGS OPEN to the Public immediately following judging 4-H Sheep Club, Achievement Day, Show Ring 4-H Drama Club, Achievement Day, Show Ring 4-H Rabbit Club Achievement Day, Show Ring Pie Auction, Stage 4-H Poultry Club Achievement Day, Show Ring HARROW FAIR OFFICIAL OPENING, Ron Bonnett, OFA President, Stage "Brand "X" Band", Stage Possible Estate Auction Friday, September 1st August 26 Call Marwood Andrews 519-738-3220 SANITATION SEPTIC, HOLDING TANK PUMPING & EEL SERVICE "A PLEDGE OF SERVICE" kend Wee vice Ser able Avail 9:00 am - 4-H Beef Club, Achievement Day, Show Ring 9:00 am to 5:00 pm -Demonstration Tent, by Scout Hall 10:00 am - Registrated Haflinger Show, Welsh Ponies Grade, Heavy Horse Show, Registered Shetland Pony Show, Horse Ring 10:30 am - Mom Calling Contest, Stage 10:30 am - 4-H Swine Club, Achievement Day, Show Ring Lunch Break at Horse Show - 4-H Harrow Horse Interest Club, Achievement Day, Horse Ring 1:00 pm - Judging Beef, Show Ring 2:30 pm - Roller Pigeon Contest, Poultry Barn 3:00 pm - 4-H Swine, Beef, Poultry and Sheep Auction, Show Ring 8:00 pm - "Michelle Wright", Stage Sunday, September 4th 1:00 pm - Judging Dairy Cattle, Show Ring 2:00 pm - Tractor Pull, Horse Ring 2:00 pm - (immediately following Parade) Rooster Crowing Contest (birds & people), Poultry Barn 3:00 pm - Teddy Bear Parade, Stage 5:00 pm - Lawn Tractor Races, Horse Ring 6:30 pm - Fish Races - Proceeds donated to Essex Windsor Therapeutic Riding Association, Demonstration Tent 8:00 pm - "George Fox", Stage Area south on Victoria to King; east on King to Queen; north on Queen to Munger; east on Munger to Walnut; south on Walnut to King; West on King to McAffee; south on McAffee to the Park 9:30 am - Church Service, Stage 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Demonstration Tent, by Scout Hall 10:00 am - Light Horse Show, Horse Ring 11:00 am - Goat Show, Show Ring Noon - Clarol the Clown, Stage 1:00 pm - Pedal Tractor Pull 2:00 pm - Clarol the Clown, Stage 3:00 pm - Pet Show, Show Ring 5:00 - 6:00 pm - Pick up exhibits from the halls At conclusion of the Entertainment and Horse Show, Draws will be made on prizes donated by various booths at the Fair. Schedule subject to change. (519) 738-3309 (519) 791-7964 CELL Discount on Strips of Tickets: Thursday, Aug. 31st On sale from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and must be used by 6:00 pm Uncle Earl OPENING DAY MIDWAY SPECIAL Clean Wholesome Entertainment Carter Shows Limited will be on hand with rides and games to provide plenty of thrills for the 4 day Harrow Fair. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday ADMISSION: Adults $5.00, Children 12 and Under FREE UNLIMITED PASS: Available at Office for $10 · Harrow Fair Office: 738-3262