Courtesy photo Shown is Melissa Rappette, 4-H volunteer leader, Cara Zawacki, Kayla Verbeek, 4-H volunteer leader, Ethan VanEnkevort, Austin Krischner, Tatiana Lafave, Payton Petersen, Jenny Bower, 4-H volunteer leader, Emily Draze, 4-H volunteer leader. Member and leaders not pictured include: Matt Casey, Melissa Casey, Allison Chenier, Ken Bower, 4-H volunteer leader, and Marcia Bower, 4-H volunteer leader.

ESCANABA — The Delta County 4-H Program recently recognized West Delta Beef 4-H Club as the 4-H Club of the Year. This award is given to a 4-H club who shows outstanding achievement in local, community and club involvement. All members of West Delta Beef raise, show and sell market steers. Many of their members have started their own herds and have received Kiwanis Heifer calves to begin this process. The Kiwanis Heifer Calf Program is set up to provide a 4-H member with a purebred heifer, a female animal that has never had a calf, to practice selectively breeding and raising livestock. In return, the youngster receiving this animal shows this animal at the U.P. State Fair and donates the first female offspring to another deserving 4-H member.

Members of West Delta Beef proudly present their steer projects at the Upper Peninsula State Fair and other shows around the Midwest. A large portion of the club showed at the Badger Kick Off and placed high in their categories. Badger Kick Off is Wisconsin’s largest multi-breed steer and heifer prospect show with over 1000 head of cattle from all across the country held at University of Wisconsin Madison. Members of West Delta Beef also devoted numerous hours making Christmas center pieces which were delivered to residents at Cedar Hills Assisted Living Complex. Their club goal is to educate the public about the livestock industry and give their animals the best care possible.