As school starts up again, the dog days of summer are rapidly fading from memory. But the members of our local 4-H group are still basking in the glories of the Benton County Fair held this past August. All 11 members of the Tailtwisters showed hogs and received blue ribbons for showmanship.

In fact, this 4-H club has a long track record of prizes for showmanship and other categories in the livestock competition at the fair. Since 1975, when Bruce Moos first organized a 4-H club out here, the group has been well-known for the quality of its livestock.

Bruce had moved to the area from Canby that year with a son and a daughter who had been very active in the Clackamas 4-H. Seeing that there was no local club, he decided to get one started.

He had a history of interest in farm animals and had been contacted that year by the Benton County fair officials to judge in the hog category. This is an area in which he had plenty of experience, having put himself through college by raising and selling pigs. Coincidentally, he had also been contacted by Linn-Benton Community College that year to accept a position in animal technology. Leaving his job as a high school teacher, Bruce packed up and moved to Blodgett.

Six or seven kids showed up for the first 4-H meeting at Bruce’s house. Soon, the group grew to 13. By the next fair season, 11 kids were ready to show their animals. That first year, the team won first place in herdsmanship, Lori Johnson had a grand champion hog and Steve Moos won champion in showmanship. Later on, another early club member, Andy Epperly, became known for raising grand champion steers.

Before long, the Tailtwisters had increased to 19 members and ultimately, in 1983, to 34 members. In 1985, when Bruce handed over the reins, the group had 31 kids involved. Over the years they had raised beef, hogs and sheep.

This year, the Tailtwisters raised hogs, but are considering branching out into raising goats and cattle. Their group is strong but always looking for new members. Josh Scacco, president of the Tailtwisters, has graduated this year and will leave a big gap.

Kids of any age can join

4-H as Explorers, but must be in fourth grade to show animals at the fair. Membership has been a very positive experience for all 4-Hers who learn responsibility, dedication, animal husbandry, teamwork and pride in accomplishment. The kids worked hard at this year’s county fair, decorating their section of the barn and keeping it clean. They also wore their club shirts a lot, creating unity.

During the year, the Tailtwisters raised money for a new livestock scale by selling Christmas trees, and this summer they sold cold drinks at the Summit Summer Festival. They have also sought community service projects such as helping seniors with yard work.

Bruce Moos continues to be involved with the group as an adviser in the swine division. His expertise and enthusiasm for animal husbandry, which got the Tailtwisters started 35 years ago, has not waned, although the golf course draws him almost as much as the pasture these days.

For more information on 4-H, contact the OSU Agricultural Extension Service.

Nashville resident Kathi Downing can be contacted at ramdown@peak.org or 456-4252.