HERMISTON, Ore. — Mickenzie Marks became a 4-H Cloverbud in kindergarten. Nearly 10 years later, she remains deeply involved in several project areas through the Oregon State University Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development Program.
“I like showing cattle and I like sewing and cooking,” Mickenzie said. Livestock, she added, ranks at the top.
“She won this award on her own, with the skills that she got from the 4-H camps she was able to attend. She did the research, learned how to apply, how to find her own references, and all the work to be done.”
Now a freshman at Hermiston High School, Mickenzie used the skills she learned in 4-H to become the only young person in Oregon selected this year to receive a cow through the NILE Merit Heifer Program.
“I thought it would be fun to have the opportunity to raise a pure-bred cow and then show it at a big show, which I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do,” she said.
NILE — the Northern International Livestock Exposition — is a nonprofit organization that promotes the livestock industry and agricultural education. Each year it awards a heifer to a qualified applicant who uses the animal to launch or strengthen their own livestock project.
Mickenzie picked up her heifer in November and has been raising her on the family farm. She will show the heifer at the NILE Fair and Rodeo in October. Her heifer came from Kessler Angus in Milton-Freewater, and she also plans to exhibit her animal at the Milton-Freewater Jr. Show.
“She won this award on her own, with the skills that she got from the 4-H camps she was able to attend,” said Shauna Newman, 4-H education program assistant in Umatilla County. “She did the research, learned how to apply, how to find her own references, and all the work to be done.”
Building skills through leadership and creativity
The NILE application required an essay, three character references and a YouTube video. Mickenzie credited 4-H for helping her prepare.
“4-H gave me a lot of leadership opportunities that I could include and helped me figure out how to write an essay and get references,” she said.
In her video application, Mickenzie gave a tour of her family farm and introduced the animals her heifer, Lassie, would live alongside, including Tater-Tot the calf and Truffle the pig. She plans to use artificial insemination to produce quality calves and hopes to continue learning about breeding, husbandry and showmanship.
Growing into a mentor and leader
Mickenzie also participates broadly across 4-H projects.
“She is such a rounded person, she touches every aspect of 4-H,” Newman said.
Mickenzie has grown into a mentor for younger members. At Camp Cloverbud, she taught expressive arts. At Find Your Spark camp she taught youth to make duct-tape wallets. She enjoys helping younger participants explore hands-on learning.
She has attended several leadership conferences, including a summer leadership conference hosted by Oregon State University. There she toured campus, attended workshops such as line dancing and art, and visited the teaching hospital in Oregon State’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine. She also attended the 4-H High Desert Leadership Camp in Redmond.
Competing at state and national levels
Her involvement has taken her to the Extension Spring Classic twice, where youth compete in a written test, Quiz-Bowl and a livestock scenario.
In 2023, Mickenzie qualified to represent Oregon in the national family consumer sciences “skill-a-thon” competition in San Antonio after competing at the Oregon State Fair. She received a $1,000 scholarship from the 4-H Sterling & Cheryl Allen Umatilla County Endowment Fund to support her trip. The fund helps grow leadership opportunities within the county’s 4-H program.
“The skill-a-thon is a trivia competition about sewing, cooking and interior design portions of 4-H activities,” she said. “It was really fun and I’m glad I had the experience to go.”
These experiences, she said, have helped her step outside her comfort zone.
“4-H has helped me grow as a person and grow in skills such as public speaking, confidence and working as part of a team,” she said.
Looking ahead
Mickenzie hopes to study animal sciences or agricultural business management in college.
“I want to own my own farm or ranch and raise beef cattle and then sell them to 4-H and FFA members,” she said.
Previously titled Umatilla County youth uses 4-H skills to win heifer in national contest
