For NC State University junior Michelle Hartman, the N.C. State Fair livestock shows have been a lesson in work ethic and having the right mindset. Hartman, who has competed for 12 years, grew up on her family’s beef cattle and tobacco farm in Walnut Cove in Stokes County. This farm is known as Hartman Family Farms.
“My first experience with livestock shows was when I was 8 years old and I went last in my class,” said Hartman. “Although it was my first time in the ring, it started well before then. I used to watch my cousins and sister show calves at the Fair. It really shaped my life, bringing me closer to my family and helping me learn more about agriculture.”
Hartman has been showing heifers since 2014 and steers for the past seven years at the fair.
“When I start selecting which cattle to enter, I begin that process around December of the year prior,” said Hartman. “I mainly look for structure, balance, flexibility and muscle. Most of the ones I have shown have been homegrown by myself.”
Hartman’s blue ribbons might be hard to track, because of the number of years she has competed. Her first real success came in 2021 when she showed a steer named Ghost that won both the Grand Champion Got to be NC and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer. More winner’s banners and honors followed. Over the past five years, she has shown four Reserve Champion market steers, two Champion Got to be NC market steers, two Champion performance market steers and a Reserve Champion commercial heifer. She has around a dozen on display in her home that she deems the most important.
“Likely the most frustrating thing has not been with the Fair, but the animals themselves,” said Hartman. “When fairgoers see the cattle in the ring, it’s easy to forget that they are still animals with a mind of their own. They don’t always cooperate, eat or drink like we want, but that’s part of the challenge with showing livestock. That challenge also brings the showman closer to their animal.”
“My favorite part of the Fair is seeing friends and the food,” said Hartman. “We always go for Peachey’s donuts, fried pickles and coffee. I will be back at the State Fair this year with more cattle, and I am very excited for it!”