Using your life and farm experiences to learn and develop skills is what 4-H is supposed to be about. Perhaps no one typifies this more than Jenna Payne, a 2022 graduate of Blackford Junior-Senior High School near Hartford City, Ind.

Jenna is all about family, farming, beef cattle and 4-H. For her last year in 4-H, she included photos of her family’s beef cattle herd in her photography exhibits, including the stunning photo above taken seconds after a cow gave birth. Both her family farm experiences and 4-H training should serve her well as she becomes a college student.

Meet the 4-H’er behind the photos in her own words:

“My parents are John and Amy Payne. I have been in 4-H and showing animals for as long as I can remember because I have five older siblings who also showed animals in 4-H. I do cattle, swine, crafts, gift wrapping, photography, home environment, creative writing, sewing, fashion review, foods, foods preservation and veterinary science. This year I decided to add sheep.

“I have had a number of grand and reserve grand projects at the Blackford County Fair, and I have had projects at state fair. Photography is my favorite project because I get to be creative and share pictures that show my point of view on things. This year it was very special because my color prints poster showed sides of farming that most people don’t get to see. 

“My family comes from a long line of grain and livestock farmers. In the past, we only raised market calves and hogs, and we would have our show animals. We switched a few years ago to primarily focusing on breeding, raising and selling show cattle and some show pigs.

“My plans are to go to Purdue and study pre-veterinary medicine for a year, then decide on an actual major. My end goal is to go to vet school and eventually have my own veterinary practice. I have been working at the Eaton Veterinary Clinic for almost a year. I have absolutely loved it, and now I want to become a veterinarian more than I did before. Hopefully I will get to come back to this area to practice because I love the people around Blackford County.”