Alexandria girl will show goats at Minnesota State Fair thanks to BELLE grant

ALEXANDRIA — Hayden Lennes, 12, of Alexandria, will present goats on the Minnesota State Truthful after receiving the Starting Exhibitor Livestock Studying Expertise (BELLE) grant a yr after her sister, Reagan, obtained the identical one.

“I used to be shocked,” stated Hayden. “My aunt did not know actually know if I used to be really going to get it as a result of my sister bought it. However, after I bought it, I used to be actually excited.”

In 2021, Reagan Lennes obtained a letter informing her that she was chosen to obtain the BELLE grant from the

Minnesota State Truthful Basis

for her work in 4-H and expertise exhibiting pigs on the Douglas County Truthful. Her sister, Hayden, obtained the identical grant for comparable achievements a yr later.

Farming and a ardour for animals run within the blood of the Lennes women. Additionally in 2021, their grandfather, Warren Engelbrecht, father of Hayden’s mother, and his household have been honored by way of the Minnesota Farm Household Recognition Program for his or her work with humanely raised, non-antibiotic hogs and their contribution to the neighborhood by way of the Viking Sportsmen Membership, FFA and 4-H.

Hayden loves animals, a lot in order that she desires of taking good care of them as a veterinarian, however for now, exhibiting them at festivals must do. Her present animal of alternative is goats, not like her sister who most well-liked pigs.

“I actually do not like exhibiting pigs,” stated Hayden who first grew to become all for exhibiting goats after watching her cousins. Ultimately, they took her underneath their wing and she or he did her first open present which she “actually appreciated.”

An open present is obtainable to anybody who needs to point out an animal no matter age or affiliation with 4-H and FFA.

The goats Hayden shall be exhibiting are housed lower than a mile from her household on her cousin’s farm. She makes common visits to follow strolling and “establishing” the goat to arrange for this summer time’s showings. She stated the toughest a part of exhibiting is ensuring the goat would not run away. Though, she says that does not occur to her typically.

On the county truthful final yr, Hayden gained the reserve champion for the way she introduced her goat and the way in which she answered questions concerning the physique components and the standard of its well being and care.

“Begin with saying you give it water,” stated Hayden’s mother Lisa Lennes. “That is a very powerful factor.”

Hayden says it means rather a lot to her to go from open exhibits and county festivals to the state truthful. She added that though the competitors could also be more durable, she appears ahead to the niceness of the power and the variety of animals she shall be surrounded by.

Together with receiving financing for the prices of exhibiting animals, the grant additionally pairs Hayden up with a mentor who presents suggestions and recommendation to arrange her for the state-level competitors. Her sister instructed her to “at all times be smiling.”

Whereas the grant ensures Hayden a spot at an open present in the course of the state truthful, she’s going to nonetheless should go the interview portion on the 4-H county stage exhibiting if she needs to point out with the 4-H group at state.

Hayden is one in every of 16 recipients of the BELLE grant. The grant is funded by the Minnesota State Truthful Basis to Minnesota residents between the ages of 10 and 18 who’ve by no means proven animals on the state truthful.

In response to the Minnesota State Truthful web site, “The Minnesota State Truthful is dedicated to showcasing our state’s best agriculture, and we acknowledge the significance of cultivating youth experiences within the livestock trade. We additionally perceive that exhibiting on the Minnesota State Truthful can stretch the household funds.”

The grant awards $500 for large-animal exhibitors — goats, beef and dairy cattle, horses, sheep, swine and llamas — and $250 to small-animal exhibitors — largely rabbits and poultry.

To be eligible for the BELLE grant, candidates should:

• Full the net utility.
• Be a Minnesota resident between the ages of 10 and 18 as of the primary day of the state truthful, who has not beforehand exhibited on the Minnesota State Truthful.
• Submit one letter of advice from a trusted supply who can converse to your livestock present and animal care expertise.
• Take part within the 4-H, FFA or open class present of their most well-liked species in the course of the Minnesota State Truthful.
• Signal the BELLE grant code of conduct upon being chosen for this system.