By Sherry Larson
People’s Defender
It was a moment of raw emotion when I saw Ashlyn Abbott through my camera lens. The photo told a story about a young lady and her journey with her goat, Benjamin, which she raised as a 4-H project.
She was visibly distressed, and the relationship between her and her animal was transparent and tearful. Her care and compassion were a testimony to her and other 4-Hers who learned about farming, relationships, life, and death through a county fair project.
Ashlyn’s mother Heather said, “It’s all about dedication.” She explained that Ashlyn spent every afternoon working with Benjamin, who joined the farm this past winter. Ashlyn said, “I didn’t want to sell him,” Mom echoed, “She gets attached to all of her animals.”
Abbott’s dad is a farmer, and she has been showing animals since she was age 5. She knows what to expect, but it doesn’t make the outcome any easier. Other 4H-ers may be able to smile through the showing, but that’s not who Ashlyn is, explained her mom. Sharing on Facebook, Mom posted, “As much as sale day breaks her heart each year, she wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Although Ashlyn knows the pain of letting go, she believes in the program. Her message to all those learning, showing, and selling animals for their 4-H projects is, “Don’t give up.”