by Rachel Hunter
The 85th Annual Hammond Fair on Sept. 13-14 was an exceptional showcase of youth achievements in 4-H and FFA project areas.
Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that agricultural fairs have long played a vital role in Hammond’s history. In 1851, plowing matches began to be talked of and the first match was held on the Abel P. Morse farm. William Cuthbert, a plowman in Scotland, was instructor to some of the younger farmers. Hammond Plowman became an organized body in 1856. Luther Lamphear recommended the organization of a town fair. In February 1857, they organized a society to be known as the Hammond Agricultural and Mechanical Society. Later, the Hammond Union Agricultural Society was formed. The Societies hosted many fairs throughout the late 1800’s, in a variety of locations around Chippewa Bay, Hammond and Brier Hill. In 1939, the Hammond 4-H and FFA Fair found its home in the Village of Hammond, first on the Soper lot, near the old school and then at the McQueer barn on St. Lawrence Ave. In 1962 the Hammond Fair Association was created, and it was decided to purchase the former Eustis Homestead Barn along with four acres of land on Lake St., creating a permanent location for the Hammond Fair. Louden K. Daniels and Charles C. Paddock served as chairmen of the Hammond Fair for a combined administration of 23 years.
Hard work, the cooperation of many people, and the generosity of the businessmen and friends in Hammond and neighboring towns have made the fair a successful event for 85 years. Over the years, there have been changes made to the two-day program, but the purpose remains the same – to develop the skills of agriculture leadership, achievement, cooperation and citizenship within the North Country’s young people.
The St. Lawrence County and Jefferson County 4-H and FFA members at the 2024 Hammond Fair had the opportunity to exhibit dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and ponies, poultry, rabbits, garden vegetables, flowers, homemaking projects, and much more. Grand champion and award of merit rosettes went to projects of the finest quality. All evaluation was done via the Danish method with blue and red ribbons awarded on the project’s individual merit and based on the youth’s age and experience in the project area. A total of 97 youths exhibited at the 2024 Hammond Fair.
The first livestock competition of the 85th Annual 4-H & FFA Hammond Fair was the Beef Cattle Show, evaluated by Gabby Glenister of Pulaski. A crowd formed in the show ring as the Beef Cattle Show started at 11 a.m. with the showmanship classes. 4-H Beef Showmanship is a competition where youth participants showcase their skills in presenting and handling beef cattle. The goal is to demonstrate the animal’s best qualities while also highlighting the exhibitor’s ability to control and present the animal effectively. Master Showman went to Kalyn Bullock of Edwards, and Reserve Master Showman went to Lettie Brown of Richville. Other showmanship participants were Paul Rastley of Gouverneur, Connor Bango of DeKalb, Luke Stiefel of Redwood, Delanie Aldrich, and Ty Stiefel. The Supreme Female Champion went to the Red Angus exhibited by Ty Steifel of Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood. Supreme Reserve Champion went to then entry exhibited by Kalyn Bullock of Edwards. In the Heifer Calf (Under 1 Year) Class, Grand Champion went to Delanie Aldrich. In the Yearling Heifer (between 1-2 Years) Class, Grand Champion went to Ty Stiefel of Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood. Reserve Champion went to Luke Stiefel of Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood. In the Beef Cross Yearling Heifer Class, Grand Champion went to Kalyn Bullock of Edwards. Reserve Champion went to Lettie Brown of Richville. Paul Rastley of Gouverneur won the Prospect Steer (under 1000 lbs.) Grand Champion.
The Hammond Fair Association also reported the following results:
In the Dairy Cattle Show, Master Showman and Supreme Champion went to Sophia Bullock of Edwards. Reserve Showman went to Lettie Brown of Richville. Champion awards were presented as follows: Ayrshire Grand Champion (Delaney Hoffman), Reserve Champion (Grayson Hoffman), Brown Swiss Grand Champion (Nicholas Bango), Reserve Champion (Austin Rizza), Guernsey Grand Champion (Lettie Brown), Holstein Grand Champion (Myrah Bullock), Reserve Champion (Gwen Decker), Jersey Grand Champion (Abbie Smith) Reserve Champion (Blaire Ross), Milking Shorthorn Grand Champion (Sophia Bullock), and Reserve Champion (Lettie Brown).
In the Rabbit Show, top showmanship awards went to Joannah Washburn, Nora Novle, and Myrah Bullock. The Overall Best/Grand Champion went to the entry by Nora Noble. Reserve Champion went to the entry by Addison Noble.
In the Poultry Show, Master Showman went to Samantha Kulp. Reserve Showman went to Whitney Hutton.
In the Sheep Show, the Senior Showman was Owen Sands of Antwerp. Junior Showman was Hayden Davis. Top honors were awarded as follows: Champion Ram (Hayden Davis), Reserve Champion Ram (Owen Sands). Champion Ewe (Owen Sands), Reserve Champion Ewe (Hayden Davis).
In the Goat Show, top showmanship awards went to Abby Smith, Korinne Lewis, Lizzie Caswell, and Hudson Hirt. Other results are as follows: Grand Champion Market Goat (Hudson Hirt), Breeding Doe Junior Champion (Lizzie Caswell), Breeding Doe Reserve Junior Champion (Korinne Lewis), Breeding Doe Senior Champion (Abby Smith), Breeding Doe Reserve Senior Champion (Abby Smith), Grand Champion Female (Abby Smith), Reserve Grand Champion Female (Lizzie Caswell). Full 4-H and FFA competition results from Hammond Fair will be posted as they are provided to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.
The Hammond 4-H and FFA Fair also featured many agricultural demonstrations, historical displays (including the Hammond Historical Museum), exhibits, children's games and activities, raffles, food, and so much more throughout the two-day event. Also on site was St. Lawrence County Dairy Promotion, featuring 2024-25 St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Kaitlyn Putman, a junior at Madrid-Waddington Central School, who is sponsored by C&M Dairy in Lisbon. The court also includes: Alternate Dairy Princess Myrah Bullock of Edwards, Ambassadors Bella Dalton of Madrid, Danica Dishaw of Madrid, Isabella Perretta of Canton, and Kenzie Phillips of Heuvelton, Promoters Kalyn Bullock of Edwards, Gwen Decker of Winthrop, Ava Fitzgerald of Rensselaer Falls, Melanie Gilbert of Potsdam, Samantha Kulp of DeKalb Junction, Grace MacDonald of Hammond, Norah MacDonald of Hammond, Bailey Phillips of Heuvelton, and Rose Smith of Canton. St. Lawrence County Dairy Promotion is planning to attend the St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau’s Day At The Farm on Saturday, September 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Kelly Dairy LLC, located at 2229 DeKalb Kelly Road, Rensselaer Falls. The public is invited to attend this free event. There will be a tour of the working dairy farm, and ag professionals will be on site to answer questions. For more information, visit the St. Lawrence County Dairy Promotion Facebook page.
North Country residents from all over St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Jefferson County arrived to enjoy the two-day community fair, and are anticipating returning to the Hammond Fairgrounds in September 2025 for the 86th Annual Hammond 4-H and FFA Fair.
The 2024 Hammond 4-H and FFA Fair was deemed a great success, due to all of its community and volunteer support. The Hammond Fair Association Board includes the following: Chairperson Allison Barrigar, Vice Chairman Mike Stiefel, Co-Treasurers Tina Gleason and Tammy Stine, Secretary Amy Stiefel, and Assistant Secretaries John Kingston, Carol Wright, and Jennifer Gardner. Other volunteers were: Gate (Liz Bawden), Music (Steve Bogart, Bridget Sherman, Rob Barrigar), Building and Grounds (Steve Bogard, Tim and Tina Gleason, James and Nancy Gleason, Bill and Tammy Stine, Mike and Amy Stiefel, Brett Gleason, Ron and Cathy Tulley, Jon Bickelhaupt, Roger Hadlock, Donald Greene), Food Booth (Tim and Tina Gleason, Nancy Gleason, Ron and Cathy Tulley, Nick and Jennifer Gardner, and Tammy Stine), Raffle Booth (Tina Gleason/Kaitlyn Gleason, Mary Rice, Jordyn Tulley, Katie DeRosie, Skip Hurlburt, and Diane Robbins), Events and Games (Carolyn Pierce and family, Jennifer Gardner and Debbie Richards, Bill and Tammy Stine), Vendor Committee (Amy Stiefel), Social Media Director and Website Designer (Kaitlyn Gleason and Amy Stiefel). Much appreciation was extended to all those who contributed any type of service towards the success of the 2024 Hammond Fair.
To get involved in the 2025 Hammond Fair, email hammondfair3@gmail.com. For more information, visit HammondFair.org.