As the owner of the last dairy farm in Chase County, Kansas, dairy farmer Ria Vos has taken it upon herself to provide an opportunity for youth to not only gain experience showing dairy cattle but to teach them about the industry while building their self confidence at same time.

Vos opens her farm gate and lets the kids come in to learn. After gaining permission from the Chase County Fairboard, she ‘leases’ dairy cattle to any youngster who wants to show at the county fair. She begins by halter breaking the cattle enough so the youth can handle them then she matches the individual child with the heifer ensuring a positive experience for each child.

When the youth come to the farm, they work with their animal then wash them and Ria teaches them how to clip. Because they are so inexperienced, Ria does most of the clipping. While at the farm, Ria lets them help bring the cows into the barn and then she teaches them ‘where milk comes from.’

This year Eugene George of Baldwin, Kansas served as the judge and by all accounts did a super job.

While many of the youth are from town and have very little experience or opportunity to work with livestock, Ria also has several kids from beef ranches who want to learn more about showing dairy.