It's showtime!

For many years, Shelburne Farms has organized a 4-H club, The Shelburne Explorers. Participants—future farmers, aspiring veterinarians, and young animal lovers—learn about and work closely with Shelburne Farms' herd of Brown Swiss cows.

In April, each 4-H participant picks a calf to call their own for the season: they care for their calf, train it, and show their stuff to panels of expert judges at fairs around the region throughout the summer.

4-H youth work hard in the weeks leading up to the first show, learning to halter, lead, and bathe their cows so they're show-ready. Says agricultural educator Susie Gilmore, "As group leaders, we support and help where needed, but with the motto of 'learn by doing,' 4-Hers do almost all of it themselves."

Having your calf (and yourself) looking tip-top in the show ring is the goal, explains Susie. 4-H members get their calves ready by fluffing their tails, making a perfect topline, shining their coats, and even applying a coat of hoof polish to their toes.

Here are a few photo highlights from this summer's shows. (Champlain Valley Expo is still to come!) While blue ribbons are nice, as Susie explains, it's the joy, hard work, and life lessons earned through 4-H that make it such a powerful program.

Congratulations, 2024 team!