4H and FFA kids show off their hard work at the Humboldt County Fair

Guernseys are a type of dairy cow known for their golden milk. And they are a staple at the C.R. Griffith Dairy Farm in Ferndale—a fourth-generation family farm. Alex and Caleigh are carrying on their family’s legacy.

“We’re showing dairy cows and it’s a pretty big process,” Alex said. “First, you have to tie them up, get them used to the halter, you get them to lead, and then you clip them, and then you get hair all over yourself and then you take them to fair.”

“Introducing the public to different types of animals, because there’s not very many Guernseys left in Humboldt County or California at all,” Caleigh said. “So we get to show them what the breed our family farm is known for”

“This is my second year. I got first place in showmanship and I got a big trophy. And then you get a banner,” Alex said. “And then if you win first place in showmanship, you get a belt buckle.”

“This is my eighth year showing overall,” Caleigh said. “I placed first in showmanship with my milk cow Sage.”

Programs like 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) get kids involved in agriculture, developing skills and memories that will stay with them forever.

“That’s what I did when I was a kid,” George Enos, a spectator at the livestock show said. “I joined 4H when I was nine. We raised Guernseys. You learned about taking care animals, how to raise them, how to show them. And you’re gonna learn how to lose, too. Gracefully. And I made a lot of friends.”

“My favorite part of showing it is not only getting to show off your hard work, but also even when you don’t get that desired place, say first or second, you can learn from your mistakes and come back next year, fix it,” Gianna, an FFA member said.

“My favorite part is definitely getting to make connections with your animals,” Tinnley, an FFA member said. “Some of these I’ve been bringing to the fair for years now, one of them for four. And so it’s really fun to be able to connect with animals like that.”

Sunday’s livestock auction is expected to bring in possibly a million dollars – money that goes to the kids who raised the animals.