Brigid Ehrmantraut won the senior age division of the small animal Round Robin competition at the 2011 San Juan County Fair, showing her chickens, guinea pigs and pygmy goats.

A seven-year 4-H participant, Ehrmantraut has been working toward the prize, a “beautiful and much sought-after belt buckle” sponsored by Skagit Farm Supply, for a few years now. In the Round Robin competition 4-H members spend three minutes handling their animals and answering general knowledge questions. Three age divisions include junior, intermediate and senior.

“One of the joys of 4H for me is watching the kids teach each other,” said Ehrmantraut’s mom, Moana Kutsche. “Brigid has spent many hours helping other 4H members learn to show various animals, including some of her toughest competitors. She has also been an ambassador in the poultry barn and has worked with younger members to teach them about ‘barn duty’ and animal care.”

Other Orcas Island kids who won their age divisions showing animals are Kelsey Guyer, in the senior dog division, Wylie Kau, with intermediate poultry, Sabrina Bailey, in the junior guinea pig division, and Hannah Brunner-Gaydos, in horses.

Ehrmantraut also received 4H’s top poultry award, the guinea pig sportsmanship award, and shared the high point livestock award with Shaw Island’s Adam Bates.

She also raised a prize-winning Boer goat this year that was purchased at the livestock auction by Bill Patterson.

“Look for goat on the Chimayo menu soon!” said Kutsche.

Over Ehrmantraut’s years showing at the fair, Kutsche told the Sounder, she has presented chickens, cats, rats, guinea pigs and goats, plus eggs, art, photography, canning, jewelry, table decorating, posters, educational displays, written work and mosaics.