By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

FONDA — The dairy barns are once again full at the Fonda Fair, bustling with some of the finest dairy cattle the local area has to offer. It’s a welcome site, as last year’s muddy and and poorly attended fair only drew a portion of the regular local attendees.

Amongst the local farms that have animals on display at the 171st Fonda Fair are Nellis Acres, of Fort Plain, showing seven holsteins (along with two from KeyVale Farms), and Rock-View Farm, of St. Johnsville, displaying eight gorgeous animals.

Both farms were looking forward to displaying cows in the 4-H show Wednesday morning.

Joan Feagles, of Rock-View Farm, explained that the Fonda Fair annually provides a chance for her eight local grandchildren, ages 7-14, to show off the results of months — and in many cases, years — of hard work.

As an annual family tradition, which dates back at least as far as Joan’s daughter, Judy Littrell, who began showing at age five and still does today, each of the family’s grandchildren pick an animal to be responsible for in the spring.

As only two grandchildren currently live on the farm, the rest visit as much as possible, working with the animals, training them to be led — a process which can take patience and time, as Feagles said “the animal has to be in good control” — and grooming them for show, which involves many fine details, such as clipping the animals perfectly. The cows’ entire bodies are clipped, which the children are able to do for the most part. Hair is left on their belly, and some is also left along their “topline” to make them look taller, a more precise clipping job done by Judy.

The kids also learn details of showing the animals, such as leg positioning. Feagles explained that on an animal that hasn’t calved yet, the leg facing the judge would be placed to the back, and if the judge moves to the other side, the legs must be moved accordingly. On a milk cow, the leg is placed forward so that the judge can view the udders.

As it’s such a detail-oriented process, “It’s hard for the little kids,” said Feagles, noting that her youngest granddaughter, Carolyn, at only 7-years-old, has already shown for years in the pee-wee showmanship division, during which children are accompanied by a parent. When asked if Carolyn plans to keep showing animals, she doesn’t even hesitate to nod a firm “yes”, telling her grandmother she thinks it’s “fun.”

12 year old Laura Littrell, who has been taking care of her chosen cow, Angel, for five months, agreed, calling the process rewarding, explaining, “I like to have fun, and this is really fun,” stating of Angel, “I like showing her a lot.” Littrell noted that she’s already been showing since the age of six — for half of her life — and she has no plans to stop anytime soon.

“It’s a great experience for kids,” said Feagles, continuing, “They learn responsibility, and they have fun while they’re doing it.”

Brittany Nellis, of Nellis Acres, related with the family from Rock-View Farm, showing their cattle just across the aisle, as she’s also shown at the Fonda Fair for her entire life. “Ever since I remember, I’ve always been here,” said Nellis, explaining that her parents showed when she was just a small baby, and she’s been showing since she was 8 or 9.

Cattle she had on display included a mother and daughter, Madison and Missy. Nellis, owning Madison, noted that she herself bred Missy — who turned two years old in December. Breeding — matching the right sire with the right mother — is the first, and most essential part of the process of producing show-worthy holsteins, Nellis said.

She also explained that the holsteins must be chosen appropriately to show, and it’s up to the owner to make sure they’re clean, eating healthy and walking well.

While at the Fonda Fair — the cows arrive early Tuesday morning and depart around 7 p.m. the following Monday — they’re fed a special ration so they stay healthy and produce milk. Nellis said that caring for the animals while at the fair is a ‘round-the-clock job, which involves getting up early to clean their bedding, bringing them for a bath in the wash rack, and installing a new, comfortable bed for the animals to stay in all day. Whenever “nature calls”, Nellis said the bedding is cleaned and changed out.

Despite the tiring schedule, Nellis said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s a lot of fun,” she stated, concluding “It’s something to look forward to every summer.”