GIANT PUMPKINS A SMALL PART OF MASSIVE DAY FOR 4-H

By SaraLloyd Truax, Staff Writer

Pumpkins, pie and prizes, popcorn, pigs and penny-arcade games were all part of the fun Sept. 9 as Santa Barbara County 4-H celebrated their fall fundraiser “Cloverfest” at the Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang.

A giant pumpkin contest was sponsored by Four Leaf Clover Foundation.

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The winners were, in order, Pace Encell, Aiden Fox and Tamera Hansen in the youth division, and Tracy Waples, Gary Waples and Peggy Lane in the open division. Encell’s pumpkin was the largest, weighing in at 506 pounds.

Sherry Mills, 4-H Program Representative, deemed the event a success. “We made our goal of raising $12,500,” she says of the effort to match the challenge grant from The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation. “These funds will help provide increased staff support for the program.”

Donations came from the 4-H community, volunteers and alumni, as well as from the Santa Maria Chapter of California Women for Agriculture and local business owners. “Doniece and Jon Parsons helped by hosting a Tip-A-4-H’er Dinner at Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant in Buellton,” Mills said.

But for the kids, it was all about fun and getting ready for next year. “My goal is to have my pig and my turkeys at the weight limit, so I can sell them,” said 10-year-old Spencer Murray of the Lucky Clover Club. Last year he used his profits for a new skateboard. With some prodding from mom, he remembers that he also donated to People Helping People and the Mission. Some of this year’s proceeds will be saved for college.

Alexander Jackson doesn’t mind getting up at 6 a.m. and going down to feed his animals in the dark. “I’m learning to have more responsibility,” he says. Snuggling her mini-lop, Laura Lowe says she neither breeds nor sells her rabbit, instead opting to focus on showmanship.

One-year-old Chloe Moses took it all in from her seat in the family wagon. Sisters Amanda, 19, Alyssa, 17, Justina, 11, and Abby, 5, along with both parents have all been involved in 4-H. “People always say, ‘Oh, your kids are 4-H,’” says mom Cathleen Moses. “No, our family is 4-H,” is her reply.

Lily Martinez, of another 4-H family, took advantage of one of the many booths and decorated a paper gift-bag. “I’m going to save this till it’s Halloween and use it for a trick-or-treat bag,” she says. Each of the different 4-H clubs sponsored a booth boasting a unique Halloween activity for young children. There were dozens of gift baskets for adults to bid on and barbecue for all to enjoy. Enjoy they did.