Seen from left are Franklin County Extension Association President Milt Sinclair, Judy Smith, 4-H award recipient Amber Smith, and Matt Smith.  Submitted Photo

EAST DIXFIELD — The Franklin County Extension Association [FCEA] awarded the annual 4-H award to Amber Smith of East Dixfield on Wednesday, May 17, at the UMaine Cooperative Extension office on 138 Pleasant St. in Farmington.

According to FCEA, the intent of the Franklin County Extension Association 4-H Annual Award is to recognize individuals that have demonstrated the principles of 4-H in their work to date, and who are expected to continue living those 4-H lessons into the future.

FCEA cited Smith’s participation in her 4-H Beef Club at the county, state, and national levels, as well as her involvement in her school and community programs as the deciding factors for the award.  FCEA referred to her efforts as remarkable.

Smith stated that she appreciated the honor, stating the award “meant to me that all the years I have been involved in 4-H and all of the years I have been attending different events and helping at different events paid off and was seen by other people.”

Also in attendance for the evening was Amber’s grandmother, Judy Smith, who was also a long-time member of Franklin County Cooperative Extension, having served as the 4-H community education assistant for 26 years. She retired in September of 2021.

A native of East Dixfield, Amber has been around cattle all her life. Growing up, she lived on a dairy farm with her family. In 2020, the Smith family sold their dairy cows and Amber shifted her focus to beef cattle and lambs. She sells market steers and lambs at youth and 4-H auctions at fairs.

She also participates in beef cattle shows and livestock expos. In 2018, she and members of the Franklin County Beef Club participated in the Northeast Livestock Expo at the Windsor Fairgrounds, where members showcased their skills in animal showmanship, seminars and even a cook off.

In September of last year, Amber won supreme heifer at the Windsor Fair with Moonshadow Sunbeam.

Amber has been an active member in different 4-H clubs all her life. Apart from the beef club, she has also been a part of the Dandy Crafters and the Young Farmers 4-H clubs.

“The beef club was definitely my best fit over the past couple of years,” Amber said. “We have lost some members that aged out, but we all were really close. It made shows fun.”

She added, “going on trips, it never felt like we were doing work [with] all [of us] being together.”

After graduating from Dirigo High School this summer, Amber plans on attending Husson University in Bangor with her eyes set on a nursing degree.