Kyser Nemecek, a 17-year-old junior at Iola High School, told Kiwanis Club members Tuesday about his 4-H livestock judging team’s successes at state and national contests in recent months and its plan to visit Scotland, Ireland and England this summer.
The Southwind District team, coached by his mother, Carla Nemecek, has members from Allen, Neosho, Woodson and Bourbon counties. They judge pigs, cattle, goats and sheep in market and breeding classes. Members rate and place the livestock in four-animal lots, then give oral reasons as justification for their rankings.
The Southwind team of Nemecek, Tate Crystal of Fort Scott, Brady Hurt of Buffalo and Carly Dreher, Iola, won the state contest in Manhattan last fall and qualified for nationals. Nemecek noted the importance of all team members competing at lofty levels among the best teams in Kansas.
“That day, we all had a good contest and were fortunate enough to win the state contest,” he said.
At the national judging event Jan. 1 in Denver, Colo., Nemecek and Crystal were joined by Emery Yoho of Yates Center and Reegan McDaniel, Fort Scott, to claim top spot. “With that, we earned a trip to go to Scotland and Ireland with eight other teams to represent the United States,” Nemecek said, noting an FFA team from Eureka was also among the top finishers in the nation.
The trip overseas will be June 19 through July 3, and in addition to competing in a livestock judging contest, the group will tour agricultural operations in Scotland and Ireland. They also will visit England toward the end of the trip.
“We’re really looking forward to experiencing the culture and the food, as well as the ag tour and livestock judging experiences, and share about them when we get back home,” Nemecek said.
Carla Nemecek, who also is Eastern District director for Kansas State University’s Research and Extension Service, developed the idea of selling “shares” to help the team raise money for the trip. A total $43,000 is needed to fund the trip for the six team members, their coach and chaperone Cathy Dreher.
“We’re almost there,” Kyler Nemecek said, “but there’s still an opportunity for those who would like to invest in our team.”
Those giving $100 or more will be invited to a shareholders meeting and dinner after the trip to hear the young people’s experiences from the British Isles. Donations can be sent to: 4-H Livestock Judging, 1006 N. State St., Iola. Call (620) 365-2242 for more information.
The Kiwanis Club meets at noon Tuesdays at ACC and welcomes interest in membership. Email [email protected] for more information.
