Novice German earns First Year Showman trophy

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Saturday, June 27, 2009 (7 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Emitt German of Fort Jennings Showmen 4-H Club won the big prize among those showing hogs for the first time at this year’s Putnam County Fair.OTTAWA ­— Ten-year-old Emitt German of Ottoville was just 7 when he showed a pig for the first time at the fair. As is common, he got involved with livestock when he saw family members having fun with it.
“When my cousins started, I sort of wanted to do it, so I asked my uncle if I could borrow my cousin’s pig and show in open class. I didn’t do so good but I learned a lot. I didn’t show last year but I joined Fort Jennings Showmen and showed this year,” he said.
German won the First Year Showman trophy for his efforts.
His father, Doug, gives all the credit to his son and the boy’s uncle, Dan German, whose family lives in the Fort Jennings area and are members of its 4-H club. Dan says he doesn’t deserve credit for his nephew’s success.
“I give all the credit to my son Nathan, who showed and won last year. He gave him all the tips and trained Emitt really well,” he said.
Doug German says his son was already well-behaved before getting involved with hogs but the work required has given the youngster a sense of responsibility that will carry him into adulthood.
“He was already a good kid but this is all him. He and his cousins do it all; they wanted the pigs and they take care of them all themselves,” he said.
Emitt says hogs are easy and fun to show but require daily attention.
“I started walking them when they were four months old. Then we started walking them every day and every week we clean out the pens,” he said.
He plans to continue showing as a member of 4-H.
“I will continue next year. My advisor, Aaron Ricker, helped me pick the pig and gave me tips I used to win. He taught me a lot,” he said.

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