Butler County 4-H members recently participated in the Western PA Small Animal Activity held at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds.

In addition to having their project animals judged in competition with representatives from throughout Western Pennsylvania, participants also had the opportunity to test their general knowledge about their project in a variety of activities held throughout the day.

Eleven Butler County 4-H members competed with participants from neighboring counties in the rabbit division. Participants included Butler area residents Steven Allaman, Andrew Cranmer, Rebecca Morrow and Meghan Studds. Also participating were Joey Cain, and Devin Campbell of Chicora; Calley Bridges of Prospect; Richard and Robert Vaerewyck of Tarentum; Jessi and Randi Kummer of Renfrew.

Butler County's exhibitors showed a total of 60 animals in the New Zealand, Mini Lop, Champagne D'argent, Crème D'argent, Havana, Californian, Mini Rex, Satin, Dutch, Holland Lop, Florida White, Polish, and Grade breed divisions.

Randi Kummer was the recipient of the Best of Show award with an entry in the Satin division. Receiving recognition for Best of Breed entries were Steven Allaman, Crème D'argent and Mini Lop; and Calley Bridges, New Zealand.

Also recognized for Best of Breed entries were Andrew Cranmer, Champagne D'argent and Havana; Randi Kummer, Mini Rex; Rebecca Morrow, Dutch; and Robert Vaerewyck, Florida White.

In the rabbit Showmanship division, Jessi Kummer placed first in the senior division. Calley Bridges finished second in the intermediate division.

Testing their general knowledge of rabbits in the skillathon, Jessi Kummer placed second in the senior division. Joey Cain, Richard Vaerewyck, and Calley Bridges placed first, second, and third in the intermediate division. Robert Vaerewyck captured first in the junior division.

Amanda Mabold and Sara Mabold of West Sunbury represented Butler County 4-H in the dairy goat show.

In the showmanship and fitting contest, Amanda Mabold was recognized as the first place exhibitor in the senior division. Amanda was also recognized as the Reserve Champion Overall for showmanship and fitting. Sara Mabold placed fourth in senior division showmanship and fitting.

In the dairy goat skillathon, Sara captured first and Amanda placed fifth.

In the Alpine breed division, Sara Mabold's Senior Doe Kid was recognized as the Junior Champion and her Yearling Doe-Not in Milk was recognized as the Reserve Junior Champion. Her entry in Produce of Dam earned first place. Sara also placed second with her entry in Milking Does 3 years and under five years and second with her entry in Best Udder.

Amanda Mabold captured Junior Champion and Reserve Junior Champion in the Saanen division with her entries in Junior Doe Kid and Yearling Doe-Not in Milk.

In the Toggenburg Division, Sara Mabold's entry in Milking Does 5 years and over placed first.

Amanda Mabold placed first in Senior Doe Kid, second in Milking Does 3 years and under 5 years, and second with her Daughter-Dam entries in the Recorded Grade Division.

Additional activities available to participants included photography and poster contests. Amanda Mabold placed third in the senior division of the poster contest.

4-H volunteers Kathy Kummer of Renfrew, Karen Cain of Chicora, and Michele Shields of Butler served on the show committee for the Western Pennsylvania 4-H Small Animal Activity's Rabbit Show. Participation in the rabbit and goat divisions represents the culmination of a year of activities for youth enrolled in small animal projects in Butler County.

The rabbit and goat projects are among the over 100 projects available to youth ages 8 to 18 years of age in Butler County 4-H clubs.

For more information on the Butler County 4-H program, contact Extension Educator Ellen Linamen at 724-287-4761.