Head judge Mark Heitstuman directs a girl struggling to control her lamb to circle the arena and crouch near her animal. Heitstuman then speaks into a microphone critiquing the animal and giving advice to the young presenter. He suggests that she should not completely kneel next to her animal but instead crouch on her hind legs. The young girl listens and nods her head as he hands her a ribbon.
For the past two years Heitstuman has judged hundreds of swine, beef, lambs and goats at the Lake County Fair. This year is his last as head judge of the Lake County Fair because county fairs switch out judges every two years.
“They like to have new opinions because I may have different things I look for and it gives the children a chance to learn from different judges,” Heitstuman.
Over the next week he estimates he will judge more than 300 4-H swine, beef, lambs and goats.
Though he looks for different characteristics in different animals, he typically looks for good confirmation (fat) in meat-producing animals, good feet and legs as well as being clean, and well-groomed animals.
When judging presenters, Heitstuman looks for how well they control their animal and how well they answer his questions.
Heitstuman started judging livestock back in 1985 when he was in college at Washington State University. Though he was never involved in 4-H as a child, he is now the Asoltin County director of the 4-H program in Washington.
"The 4-H program is important because it teaches life skills," Heitstuman said. He added that he likes to ask questions of the young presenters such as how old their animals are, what they feed them and whether or not they have produced offspring.
"It is important for them as food producers to know how their animal is being raised," he said. "I really like to work with the youth."
Heitstuman said he received a lot of questions from both presenters and their parents after judging.
"That was one of the things that really stood out," Heitstuman said. "The kids really want to raise a good quality product."
"We usually have a judge in each livestock area," Fair Manager Tim Marchant said. "But he (Heitstuman) is able to do them all. That is pretty unique and I don't know if we will be able to find somebody like that again."
Marchant said the fair board meets to decide next year's judge or judges. The fair board chooses judges based on experience, professional certification and education. Judges are paid $55 a day plus mileage and can come from in- and out-of-state.
This summer Heitstuman will travel to six different fairs in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
After a long day of judging, Heitstuman sits in the shade with his wife Michele Blachely-Heitstuman. They have a 17-year-old son who is also involved in 4-H.
"He likes to turn vacation time into judging time, Michele said, explaining that Mark was also on vacation while judging at the Lake County Fair.
The two debated whether or not to visit nearby Glacier National Park or Flathead Lake. They were leaning more toward Flathead Lake because it was closer.
"I have enjoyed my time judging here," Heitstuman said. "There is a lot of community support and the area is beautiful"
