Photo by courtesyPhoto Jaime Remsburg of Middletown exhibits a Holstein winter heifer in the 4-H dairy show Tuesday at The Great Frederick Fair. Remsburg does not live on a farm, but through her involvement with the 4-H Dairy Leasing program, she’s able to show dairy animals.

Dr. J. Lee Majeskie, former University of Maryland Dairy Extension Specialist, established the dairy leasing program in 1988 to give non-farm kids the opportunities to work with dairy cattle.

At least a dozen Frederick County 4-H members in the dairy leasing program exhibited their dairy animals in Tuesday's 4-H Dairy Cattle Show at the Great Frederick Fair.

"The leasing program gives kids that don't live on farms but have an interest in dairy animals the opportunity to participate in the actual showing of animals," said Denny Remsburg, a 4-H volunteer announcing the 4-H dairy show Tuesday.

"They can do dairy judging and dairy bowl, but showing cattle is the next step that broadens their education with hands-on experience," Remsburg said.

"The leasing program teaches them responsibility, sportsmanship, animal health care and nutrition by working with the owners of the animals."

Kelli Thomas of Middletown and her triplet sisters, Megan and Erin, have been leasing Holstein cattle for seven years from dairy farmers, Paul Coblentz and Mike and Cathy Strite.

"You get to go to other farms and learn from their dairy experiences," 16-year-old Kelli said. "The leasing program is great because we can show cows at the fair."

The Middletown High School junior said the leasing program saves them money because she and her sisters don't have to buy the animal.

"We get to work with dairy cattle and get them ready for the fair," she said. "We learn a lot, we learn from our mistakes and we get to spend time with a lot of great dairy people."

Jaime Remsburg said she's really glad there's a leasing program.

"I don't live on a farm and wouldn't have this opportunity if it weren't for the leasing program," the Middletown Valley 4-H Club member said. "I've been leasing Holsteins for four years. You grow with the program as you take on more responsibility -- it's a lot of fun."

The 16-year-old MHS senior spends many days during the summer working with her leasing projects at Clayton and Shirley Smith's dairy farm in Jefferson .

"I like the leasing program and the opportunity it's given me. My dad grew up showing and that inspired me to want to show cattle -- I knew I'd enjoy it too."

Morgan Cole of Thurmont is also following in her mother's footsteps and continuing a family tradition of showing cattle that spans three generations.

"I can't afford my own calf and I don't live on a farm," the 14-year-old Catoctin High School freshman said. "The leasing program allows me to work with the dairy animals I love."

The Lewistown Mount View 4-H club member leases her Jersey calves from Julie and John Mayer of Taneytown.

"I learn something new at every show on how to care for my animals and how to show my animals better," Morgan said. "It helps me prepare for the next show."

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the 4-H leasing program and dozens of county and state kids will be sure to celebrate the program that's afforded them so many opportunities.