Parker County Today December 2016 | Page 90

our youth: AG KIDS Steering Toward Success Spring Creek 4-H Club’s Brylee Halie BY JOSHUA MATA DECEMBER 2016 PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY H ere in Parker County there is and always will be a strong connection to agriculture. Just off of U.S. Highway 51 South is a church where members of the Spring Creek 4-H Club meet. One of those members is Brylee Haile, a 15-year-old Weatherford High School student. Brylee has been a member of 4-H for seven years and has served as a parliamentarian for four of them. Her specialty is showing steers. Brylee’s job is to walk, groom, and keep these steers in top shape to show to judges in order to sell them. “I got into showing steers when my dad just brought one home one day and introduced me to it,” Brylee said. “Also, I had a lot of friends that were into 4-H and my dad said it was a good one for starters, and that’s how I got into it.” Spring Creek 4-H is designed to introduce children and teenagers to the world of agriculture. The 4-H motto stands for head, heart, hands and health. “It’s an amazing organization and has introduced me to a lot of new people and friends; I love it so much,” she said. The shows in which Brylee competes are held all over Texas with some of the larger shows held in Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston and San Angelo. “It’s a lot of fun going to these different places because you meet so many new people,” Brylee said. Right now, she has two steers named Rere and Firecracker, both of European breed. “Rere is a bit dumb but is honestly my favorite one,” she added. The work that goes into taking care of these steers is tremendous. Every day she walks, feeds and grooms these animals. “It is a lot of work and it’s very time consuming 88 but has taught me how to manage my time,” Brylee said. Outside of 4-H, she is a part of the Weatherford High School Golf Team and is a Future Farmer of America member. When asked about her future, Brylee sees herself studying agriculture, but she also has an interest in veterinary work. “It’s just had a huge impact on my life and I can’t see myself without it now,” she said. “My parents have been such a huge impact on me, leading and helping me all the time with it, along with Kayla Neil who works in the Ag-Extension office. They have really helped me out.” Brylee’s strong love for showing steers is just another example of how big agriculture is here in Parker County and how it will never fade away.