Kathryn Donnelly-Taylor holds a Dorset Advantage lamb named Phoebe that won a first place ribbon at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show. The ribbon is held by Ava Neville, a fellow 4-H member of many years and former Northeast Bradford FFA president.
Story by Rick Hiduk / Submitted Photo
(originally published in the Farmers Friend)
After 11 years as a 4-H member in Bradford County, Kathryn Donnelly-Taylor, returned to the Pennsylvania Farm Show this year showing sheep as an adult. She traveled to Harrisburg with her parents, Brian Taylor and Rose Donnelly, and longtime friend Ava Neville, with whom she had been showing animals as a 4-H member since they were both about eight years old.
Kathryn has been involved with the Northeast Ag and Home Ec 4-H club and started showing Black Angus beef cattle, which her family had moved to from dairy cattle on Rolor Farms near Rome. The farm was initially purchased by her grandparents, Robert and Joyce Taylor. She kept herself busy for many years showing beef and pigs at the Wyoming County Fair and the Tioga County (NY) Fair until she purchased her first sheep from Doris Powell in Windham.
“She was my mentor,” Kathryn said of Powell. “She helped me for a number of years until I could do more by myself.” Kathryn started working with Hampshires and Dorset Advantages in 2017 and breeding them in 2021. At last summer’s Troy Fair she won the Homebred division for the first time with a Hampshire, proving that hard work does indeed lead to success.
“I started my sheep project by myself, but I am very thankful for my parents’ help through all my years in 4-H,” Kathryn related.
Her parents look after her animals when she is away at Cornell University, where she is pursuing a degree in Animal Science. She graduated last year from Owego Free Academy, where she enjoyed any classes that dealt with animal sciences. Kathryn was a member of the Owego FFA chapter, National Honor Society and Key Club. She also has two Morgan horses that she shows in New York and other northeast states.
Her participation in this year’s Farm Show netted her four ribbons: first place for a Junior AOB Meat Fall Ewe Lamb with a Dorset Advantage named Phoebe; second place in the Junior AOB Meat Fall Ewe Lamb with a piebald Dorset Advantage named Monica; and ninth place in the Early Spring Ewe Lamb Junior division with a Hampshire named Opal. Kathryn herself took eighth place in showmanship in the senior division.
“Overall, the show went great, and I am excited to expand my ewe herd once I am done with college,” said Kathryn. It was only her second time at the Farm Show, and she appreciated having Ava – a former Northeast Bradford FFA president – along for some extra help. “You can’t do it all yourself,” Kathryn stated.
In fact, she enjoys working with other people who share her dedication to animal husbandry. They often show each other’s animals. While she is still in school, Kathryn plans to work with 4-H and FFA clubs in Bradford and Wyoming counties to help youths with their projects.
“It’s good to see that there are kids who are focused on their animals and have a high desire to continue,” she offered. Kathryn shares her experience as well with youths who don’t have access to livestock or a place of their own to keep them. At this time, she plans to use her animal science degree in an ag-related business that deals with policy and law.