2023 Christian County 4-H Livestock Judging Team Europe Trip

08/22/2023

Don’t forget tomorrow night at the Christian County Extension office at 6:30!

Thank you to everyone for all your support of our trip, we couldn’t have done it without you! We would like to invite you all to our presentation of this amazing opportunity! We will also have refreshments!

08/04/2023

Thank you to everyone for all your support of our trip, we couldn’t have done it without you! We would like to invite you all to our presentation of this amazing opportunity! We will also have refreshments!

07/06/2023

Now that we have all made it home safely, we would like to give a big thanks to Timi's Tours! After realizing our connecting flight from Chicago to St. Louis got cancelled, they were more than understanding and willing to get us in Chicago! Once again a big thanks to Timi’s Tours and all the supporters!

07/05/2023

Good morning from Heathrow Airport! We have had a wonderful time in Scotland, Ireland, and London, all while making fun new friends along the way! Thank you to everyone who supported our trip! It is truly a blessing to have the support of our community to experience such a life-changing journey. We finished our tour yesterday in London, where we saw the breathtaking architecture of the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, The Tower of London, The Crown Jewels, and Buckingham Palace. It was truly amazing, and we even got to enjoy the rainy weather of London. Much to our surprise, we were even invited to sit in the gallery during a meeting of the House of Commons, a very interesting event! Thank you to everyone who donated towards our trip, followed, and supported our adventure from home, we truly could not have done it without you! We are looking forward to a wonderful and smooth trip back to the United States. Thanks again!

07/04/2023

Good morning from The Tube in London! We had an early morning yesterday for our flight into London form Shannon Airport in Ireland, where Ben had a wonderful time playing Go Fish with some of our new friends from Colorado. We also boarded our plane from the runway for the first time, very presidential! It was a fun day yesterday touring the greater London area with our guide, Susanna. We got to go to the Covent Gardens, a market now, but originally started as a garden for a nearby convent. We also drove by the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We ate at the original Hard Rock Cafe for supper, where we enjoyed a taste of more traditional American Cuisine. We are looking forward to exploring London today!

07/03/2023

Good morning from London! We had a fun time at the show in Clonmel, Ireland, where we judged three classes. We were surprised that we could judge as a team, and that we only ranked the top three in a class containing as many as fourteen cattle. We then toured the show grounds which had everything from fence building contests to donkey derbies and puppet shows for children. We had a really fun day meeting and speaking with Irish farmers at the show as well! We are currently touring London, and we are excited to be here!

07/02/2023

Good Sunday morning from Ireland! We had great fun yesterday touring Blarney Castle and Gardens where Ben, Emma, and Jay kissed the Blarney Stone, and Jay found a new fear of the high ledges of Blarney Castle. We also toured Macroom Buffalo Farm, a dairy farm of milking water buffalo, that also makes their own cheese from the milk of the buffalo. It was interesting to see the niche market for buffalo cheese in Ireland, and sample the delicious cheeses that were made at the farm. It was fun to see people so passionate about their unique product. We are looking forward to another judging contest in Clonmel, Ireland!

07/01/2023

Hello from Cork, Ireland! We spent the day yesterday driving around the Ring of Kerry. The route became popular among tourists after Queen Victoria’s visit to Ireland and her trip around the peninsula. The beautiful scenery of the area inspired frequent visitor, Johnny Cash, to write his song “Forty Shades of Green.” We are now in Cork preparing to visit Blarney Castle. We are excited to spend the day in Cork and the surrounding area!

06/30/2023

Good morning! We had a great day in Ireland yesterday! First we headed to Garrett’s Farm and learned about and toured a simmental breeding operation. We then went to the sale barn, or as it’s called in Ireland, the “mart.” It was interesting to see the different vehicles parked outside, much different from the U.S. for sure. We also heard an Irish auction. Then we drove to Killarney where we will see the Ring of Kerry today. We are excited to tour the Ring of Kerry! Thank you to all who are supporting at home!

06/29/2023

Good morning! Yesterday was a fantastic first day in Ireland! We toured the city and walked through EPIC, the Irish Emigaration Museum. It was fascinating to learn about the history of Ireland and their culture. We then pressed on with our tour guide and toured the rest of Dublin, where we walked around the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. Outside the cathedral was an area where over 200 ancient Viking homes were found in an archaeological dig. It was interesting to see a small footprint of an ancient Viking home. We are now leaving Dublin for a farm tour, and we are looking forward to an exciting Thursday in Ireland!

06/28/2023

Good morning from Ireland! We had a great day yesterday touring around on our last day in Scotland. We took off to Culzean Castle. The scenery was beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the marquee’s “ultimate bachelor pad.” It was truly an amazing sight! We then moved on to the Trump Turnberry, a pristine golf course on the coast of the North Sea. Then boarded the ferry to cross the North Channel into Belfast. We are looking forward to an exciting day touring Ireland! Thank you to everyone for their support at home!

06/27/2023

Good Tuesday morning from Scotland! We had a great day yesterday touring farms and the beautiful countryside if Scotland. We started our day at Rotmell Farm, owned by Alex Brewster and his family. We learned about the sheep, beef, and poultry industry in Scotland. He gave us some information about the soil in Scotland and the way that the grazing and the soil works together. We then traveled to Netherton and HW Angus, where we toured a Red and Black Angus breeding operation. Finally, we toured a Wagyu farm where we learned about the differences in beef production in Scotland. We are off to Ireland today and we are looking forward to a great journey!