Through the generous support of donors the Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders' Association holds an annual essay contest open to Wisconsin youth, under the age of 17.  The author of the winning essay receives a purebred, registered Guernsey calf which serves as a foundation to build their own herd of registered Guernseys.  The contest began in 1999 and since then there have been over 200 youth that have written an essay on "what a Guernsey calf would mean to me."

Essays are submitted prior to the posted deadline of February 15th, 2008, reviewed by an adult committee and the top essay is then announced and read at the Youth Awards Brunch during State Convention at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Fond du Lac on March 8th.  Winning youth then receive a membership to the Wisconsin Junior Guernsey Breeders' Association and give a report the following year at State Convention on their experiences with their calf.

• Essay should be a minimum of 250 words on your choice of two topics: “ (1) what a Guernsey calf would mean to me OR (2) the Guernsey cow is important to me because”
• Contest is open to Wisconsin youth ages 10-17
• Entrant should include plans for housing, responsibilities or plans for caring for the calf and show opportunities in the essay
• Winner must agree to exhibit the calf at shows and give a report on the calf at the WGBA annual meeting after winning
• Winner must be willing to join the Wisconsin Junior Guernsey Breeders’ Association

2007 Wisconsin Essay Calf Contest Winner

Michaela Slind
Baldwin, WI

What a Guernsey calf means to me…

Hello, my name is Michaela Slind, a ten year old at Viking Middle School in Woodville, Wisconsin and I am very interested in this opportunity to receive a Guernsey calf.  I live on a small hobby farm outside of Baldwin, Wisconsin with my mom and dad and a brother who is a sophomore at B-W High School.  Because both my parents grew up on a dairy farm, my family and I believe that it is important to keep and recognize all of our dairy breeds alive and well.  The Guernsey breed has an established place in the dairy industry.  Guernsey’s are recognized for having high butterfat content in their milk.  I believe that Guernsey’s have their place in the dairy industry, and that we need to continue to improve and promote this breed.
            Owning a Guernsey calf would be a wonderful opportunity for me, an opportunity of raising a different breed than we’ve ever owned.  I would have the responsibility to care for this calf and also have the opportunities to show this calf.  I enjoy helping my parents raise small calves, and enjoy getting them ready for shows.  Getting ready for a show means washing, clipping, and teaching the animal to lead, these are important but not as important as getting to know your animal.  Working with the animal, knowing its personality and needs are important in a successful show.  As of right now I only show at our county fair (St. Croix), but am willing to show at district shows and other potential Guernsey showings.
            The housing on our farm consists of a small barn and pole shed.  We use the barn for calves that are 0-6 months of age.  In the barn there are stalls for the calves that are 0-4 months and then pens for the older calves.  The calves eat grain and hay with the option of milk and water.  The calves in the pens get hay, grain and sometimes silage.  Once they get older, the animals eat a ration of silage, grain and hay in the winter.
            My love for animals is never ending – this opportunity would expand my horizons, to somewhere I’ve never been, but would love to go.  This opportunity would allow me to meet other Guernsey enthusiasts, farmers and kids like me who love working with animals.  I hope I am given this honor to help represent the Guernsey breed in the future, I guarantee you I will take it very seriously if given the opportunity.