MSU student shares skills with a new generation of 4-H members

Bethany Lyford has a long history in 4-H. She has raised hogs, steers, even bred cattle, but her latest endeavor is with the children.

Lyford, who was first exposed to the business of livestock at only 3 years old, is now passing her passion on to the next generation of young 4-H participants.

“It just got into my blood”, said the Montana State University sophomore.

Lyford is currently studying animal science and livestock management, but during her time back in Kalispell, she mentors 4-Hers ranging from as young as 5 years old to participants just younger than herself. Her veteran experience in the program makes her the go-to girl for cattle expertise. Not only does Lyford offer advice and assistance at the Northwest Montana Fair and other state and regional shows, she also volunteers to work with newcomers for months in advance, helping to prepare them for the big day.

She said she often works with children one-on-one, addressing their questions and acting as a role model as they seek her out, but in addition, each week leading up to the fair, she hosts a weekly gathering with open doors. There, the children can ask questions about raising their livestock, specifically cattle, and practice with feedback for the fair and other shows.

Lyford’s connection with the children began in her 4-H days, while she was raising and showing her own livestock. Those days are now behind her, as she spends most of the year in Bozeman studying to become a breeder and rancher herself, but her legacy remains with her mentees. She sells the calves of her few cows, which she breeds herself, to youngsters in the 4-H program. And when she returns from university, she checks in on the animals she sold, and the kids she sold them to. Lyford assumes the role of a mentor for many of these children, guiding them through the bumps in the road.

She explains that having people to look up to is almost a necessity when raising livestock at such a young age. Most of the work required takes place in the offseason, when the glamour of the awaiting fair is not fresh in the mind.

“Getting an animal fair-ready is a year-long process,” Lyford pointed out, which is why it can be frustrating for children who don’t have a near end goal in sight. Nevertheless, “The cows just have to come first sometimes.”

It’s not a fun realization when you want to go hang out with your friends, but once you have the animal, she continued, you cannot neglect your responsibilities.

“It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and perseverance”, Lyford noted, which is why the process is so rewarding.

She explained that you can never really know it all; the learning possibilities are endless, an aspect that, for Lyford, prevents her involvement in 4-H from getting old. The lessons she took away: work always comes before play, the importance of discipline, and the art of prioritizing, are all goals she hopes to instill in her mentees. 4-H isn’t all raising, showing and selling animals; the most value comes from the insight you gain and carry into the future.

Lyford said she wasn’t always the smartest in the room, but she learned from a young age that “hard work is necessary in everything you do.” The work ethic that 4-H fostered Lyford now uses to excel in her studies. And now she applies her vast experience to ensure the youngsters, like herself, make the most of the program.

Lyford plans to remain an active member of the 4-H community for years to come.

She hopes to raise and breed as many as 600 cows as a rancher after college, a crucial aspect being selling calves to young 4-H and FFA participants. Although Lyford doesn’t envision having any specific title or job within the program, she said she will “always be behind the scenes”, acting as a role model, teaching youngsters the many valuable lessons of 4-H.

Reporter Katie Lessmeier may be reached at klessmeier@dailyinterlake.com.

Today at the Northwest Montana Fair

8 a.m. — Market Sheep Judging, Trade Center

8-9 a.m. — Open Rabbit/Cavy Check-In, Critter Barn

9 a.m. — Open Rabbit/Cavy Show, Critter Barn

8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. — Open/4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Check-In, Trade Center

8:30 a.m. — 4-H/FFA General Projects/Home Ec Judging, Expo Building

9 a.m.-9 p.m. — Floriculture exhibits accepted, Floriculture Building

9:30 a.m. — Agriculture/Horticulture, Crafts, Needlework, & Home Culinary Judging, Expo Building

3 p.m. — 4-H/FFA/Open Beef Judging

5-8 p.m. — 4-H/FFA/Open Goat Check-In

6-8 p.m. — 4-H/FFA/Open Poultry Check-In

9 p.m. — Exhibit Buildings Close