News: Schools

Leeuna Foster/The Beacon

Sheriff Kent Harris, Director of Schools Denise Brown and 4-H project leader Noe`l Bailey, following the milking contest at Troy Clark Farms on Saturday.

Promoting June Dairy Month; 4-H Leadership Project success for Unicoi County teen

By Leeuna Foster

June 19, 2008

It was a race to the finish on Saturday between Unicoi County Director of Schools Denise Brown and Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris. Sheriff Harris took the lead in the beginning, but then Brown managed to "squeeze" ahead to win in the final few seconds of the contest. The rules were simple. They would both milk for 1 1/2 minutes, switching cows after the first 45 seconds. The one with the most milk in his or her bucket at the end of the minute-and-a-half would be the winner.

The purpose of the event? The two of them were competing in a "milking contest" to help promote 4-H June Dairy Month for a Leadership Project led by Noe`l A. Bailey.
Noe`l is a high school sophomore at UCHS. She will be organizing 4-H events all month long to promote Dairy Month.

"Learn by doing" is the motto of 4-H clubs all across America. Here in Unicoi County the 4-H club did just that on Saturday morning, June 14. Approximately fifteen 4-H club members and several adults were present at Troy Clark Farms in Limestone Cove. UT Extension Agent Chrystal Robertson was there assisting Noe`l Bailey in her project. Through the project Noe`l is developing her marketing and leadership skills. She is promoting good nutrition, the importance of calcium and magnesium in the diet and also how to be a productive citizen in her county.

Following the milking contest between Sheriff Harris and Mrs. Brown, each student tried their hand at milking the cows. Mason Harris, the sheriff's son, was a natural. If Harris had allowed young Mason to replace him in the contest, he would have beaten Brown with no problem. In fact, Troy Clark who owns the dairy farm commented, "I think I'll keep Mason here and have him help me out with the milking."

After the milking was done, the students assisted in making homemade butter. They also enjoyed cold chocolate milk and ice cream. Besides getting their daily allowance of calcium, these 4-H members got plenty of fresh air and sunshine, lots of exercise and a working knowledge of the duties and the rewards of running a dairy farm. And the day also proved Noe`l's 4-H event to be a huge success.

Her next organized event is planned for Tuesday June 17, when the group will visit local supermarkets and continue promoting June Dairy Month.