After months of preparation, July kicks off the beginning of the fair season for 4-H and FFA members. Even with fewer farms in the state kids still have the opportunity to show animals at their local fair in a less traditional way. One farmer who is making this a possibility for youth is Doug Wilson of Corner View Club Lambs in Shawano.
The business was established in 1996 as a 4-H project with 18 ewes and has grown to a herd of 150 with the help of Doug Wilson, his son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Lacey, and Mike Bohm. The four are also co-owners of the retail side of Corner View, called Five Star Lamb along with the help of Terri Dallas, who got involved with the family after her three kids were given the opportunity to show through Corner View. The farm was established because Roy had an interest in showing lambs, after his 4-H career ended they kept the company growing with a focus on teaching youth about the project even without a farming background.
Throughout the years they have helped 35 kids show their animals all across the country. Corner View gives kids the space to keep their animals on-site, but they are responsible for purchasing, feeding, and raising the lamb as if it were at their own farm. With the help of Doug, they will learn how to properly train, sheer, and get their animal ready for show day. “This is one small little thing that we can do to help the youth to understand all the opportunities in agriculture,” Doug said. “First and most important thing we teach the kids is to have fun and enjoy it. They learn real experience, the good and the bad.”
This year three of the exhibitors showing some of Corner View’s lambs are Megan Zeitler, Brynn Hannes, and Kenley Wilson. Megan, who’s currently attending UW-River Falls, is in her eighth and final year showing with the farm. “You win at home. You don’t win at the shows,” Megan said. She learned how to show through others at Corner View as well as exhibitors across the country at various shows. She is a great example of how you do not have to grow up on a farm to show at the county fair.
Brynn is another exhibitor who is in the lamb project with Corner View. “As you get older you learn what to look for in a lamb when it is time to pick them out in March for the fair,” she explained. In order to prepare for the big show, Brynn spends about two hours every day with her lamb to feed it, practice walking, and clean out the pens. “It isn’t all about winning, it is just about growing up with it and having as much fun as possible,” Brynn went on to explain that her favorite part is building a strong bond with her animal throughout the show season.
Roy and Lacey’s daughter Kenley is learning from both Megan and Brynn as this is her first year showing lambs. She mentioned how so far in her showing process, she has learned not to rush the process, it takes your lamb to get used to you and being able to prepare it for the show. She also had some advice for others in their first year of showing. “It takes time and you will learn more, don’t get frustrated if you don’t win in the ring. Just encourage yourself when you go through it.”
Throughout the summer, the girls plan to show at 20 shows across the country, including the Shawano County Fair at the beginning of September. With the option of leasing animals growing in popularity, places like Corner View are becoming the future of our county fair’s success. They’re giving families a chance to be involved in agriculture without needing the facilities to do so.
You can also check out the full interview with Corner View Club Lambs on our podcast page.
