Farrer says fair is five best days of summer

One of the highlights for Grady Farrer at the Plymouth County Fair is showing poultry. The Hinton 13-year-old plans to show 14 chickens and one Chinese Golden Pheasant at the Saturday show. [Click to enlarge]

When you think of livestock at the Plymouth County Fair, rabbits and poultry may not be the steer or swine you were imagining.

Thirteen-year-old Grady Farrer would disagree.

The owner of rabbits, chickens and pheasants, Farrer believes that poultry and rabbits are where the real livestock shows occur.

Grady Farrer, 13-year-old 4-H member, is also bringing woodworking projects to the Plymouth County fair next week, July 23-27. His projects, a nesting hutch for rabbits and a chicken coop, relate to his livestock projects. [Click to enlarge]

"Showing poultry and rabbits at the fair is great," said Grady, member of the Lucky Libery Lopers 4-H club. "I love getting them ready and having them judged."

The son of Steve and Candace Nash-Farrer of Hinton, Grady is the oldest of three. His younger brothers are Izaak, 9, and Fletcher, 7.

Grady was quick to remark that showing rabbits and poultry isn't as simple as putting them in a cage for the judge to look at.

"There's a lot of preparation that goes into showing animals," said Grady. "If you keep them caged up until show day they'll be skiddish."

Showing his Rex, Dutch and Lionhead rabbits requires working with them on a regular basis. From feeding them enriched nutrient pellets to enhance the show rabbit's coat to wiping a wet hand through the fur to rid molting hair and dirt, Grady says that he enjoys spending time with his 4-H rabbits.

Grady also stays busy preparing his fair poultry by bathing the chickens, clipping nails and watching for overhang beaks. He plans to show 14 chickens and one Chinese Golden Pheasant at the Saturday, July 26 4-H Poultry Show.

But livestock isn't the soon-to-be eighth grader's only focus during the fair, Grady has been working steadily on 13 4-H projects including a nesting hutch for his rabbits.

"I decided to use the stuff we already had to make something nice for what we need," he said.

Using abandoned scrapwood from a construction site, it took only three nights to build the new rabbit home.

The nesting hutch, made of chicken wire and two by fours, will be used for breeding and caring for infant rabbits.

Grady also saw a need on his farm for a movable chicken coop that would allow his poultry to graze more and provide protection.

After searching on the Internet, he came across designs for a chicken ark, a mobile coop and a grazing pen.

"It allows them to lay an egg if they want, graze and gives them shelter if it's raining," he said.

Adding the hinges and wiring were the hardest part of building the chicken ark, Grady commented.

The mobile chicken home has taken two weeks to build and thanks to dad's guidance, the ark made of cedar and chicken wire is coming together smoothly.

"I do all of the planning. I know what I want and how I want it to work," Grady said. "Dad helps me with the modifications."

Even though putting on the hinges and wiring were the hardest, Grady says that he's learned a lot from making the ark.

He is also preparing an Educational Presentation titled Umpiring 101.

"There are lots of people who don't know the rules of baseball," said Grady. "My speech teaches the baseball basics for friends, grandparents and family who are going to a game."

In between poultry and rabbit shows, you'll find Grady modeling a suit for Clothing Revue that he bought for less than $15.

"I plan to wear the suit to church and funerals," he said.

Grady will also model an umpire's outfit he bought for the selected category.

"I play on the junior Hinton baseball team," Grady said. "An ump uniform made sense for me."

It's sure to be a busy fair weekend for Grady as he will do a working exhibit on Friday, July 25 in Pioneer Village.

"I'll be showing kids how to make chinese paper yo-yos using pencils and wrapping paper," he said.

Looking for a taste of Iowa? Grady will also make a turkey salad recipe using Iowa ingredients for the July 27, Pride of Iowa 4-H event.

"It's got turkey, grapes and cashews in it," commented the Iowa chef. "You gotta come try it. It's really good"

Grady was quick to remark that the Plymouth County Fair is by far the five best days of summer in his mind.

"I love the fair," he said. "The grandstand shows are free so I love that and the food is always good, especially the 4-H Foodstand pie."

Although Grady enjoys taking care of his poultry and rabbit entries, he says that the fair is a lot more than livestock and woodshavings.

"Everyone should come out and see all the stuff we have here," he said.