Vollmer values ‘irreplaceable’ experience in Natrona County 4-H, FFA

Casper – With two lambs headed to the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas this year, Kaycee Vollmer of Casper has been a long-time participant of both 4-H and FFA.
A sophomore at Casper College this fall, Vollmer aged out of 4-H at 18 years old, but remains active in her fifth year of FFA.
“When you’re in college you work on your own, and your advisor checks up on your projects and comes to look at your animals,” she says. “But it’s a self-study.”
“I’ve been really involved with livestock production in 4-H and FFA,” says Vollmer. “I’ve raised beef and sheep, and have had hogs over the years.”
Vollmer has also become involved with livestock judging through FFA, and has gone on to participate in the Casper College Livestock Judging Team. “In the midst of State Fair we’ll start getting ready for the contests coming up throughout the school year,” she says, noting this summer she keeps busy getting her animals ready for both county and State Fair and herself ready for judging contests.
The Vollmer family lives just outside of Casper, and she says she and her siblings have always been able to raise their livestock at their own place. In addition to her show animals, Vollmer says she keeps a few ewes to raise her own show lambs.
“I’ve always had a love for animals and agriculture, and our neighbor raised sheep so I used to love being over there, and he’s the one who got me started in showing lambs,” says Vollmer, adding that she got into swine and cattle on her own.
Through her time at Casper College, Vollmer says she’ll gain an Associate’s degree in animal science, and she plans to work toward a doctorate in meat science at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State or Iowa State.
“When you’re little, 4-H starts out being just for fun, then you start really getting into it, and the knowledge you gain is irreplaceable,” says Vollmer. “And the people you meet along the way. I’ve really cherished the knowledge and relationships, and getting to help the younger members. Passing on my knowledge and experiences helps me a lot in my own projects.”
Although Vollmer has enjoyed showing her own livestock throughout her years in 4-H and FFA, she says 2010 will be the last of her showing career, and from now on she’ll focus on helping the younger members in Natrona County.
Christy Hemken is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at christy@wylr.net.