Morgan and Colton Meadows were born destined for the show ring.
In the tradition of future county fair champions, the twin siblings made their debut in swine contests as preschoolers and then followed their family into 4-H, an experience that came to a memorable end this summer when she was crowned fair queen and he won supreme showman.
“Even if everyone doesn’t win the banners or the big trophies, you always seem to take something away from 4-H,” Morgan Meadows said, “and it’s not just another club you’re in, it’s something that’s going to change your life forever.”
For the Meadows, who live in New Richmond, raising animals is a family tradition.
Their parents Shad and Dawn Meadows were both involved in 4-H, as was their older brother Cody, now 22. Younger brother Corbin, who just started middle school, is midway through his own 4-H career. Their grandfather Sonny Goings runs a farm.
“We’ve always had animals. Kind of a part of us now,” Colton Meadows said.
Over the years, the siblings took home multiple champion pigs and competed together in the sheep and goat shows. They were also active in multiple building projects.
After winning top showman in this year’s swine contest, Colton Meadows started preparing for the overall showmanship competition by practicing with people skilled in showing animals.
“I was pretty nervous,” he said.
As he prepared to enter the arena, his sister was reigning over her last fair as Miss Montgomery County. She earned the title after being crowned princess in 2018.
“I didn’t really get nervous... I mean, yeah, I cared if I won or not, but it was more just the fun of it,” she said.
Ahead of the state fair queen contest in January, she will appear in Crawfordsville’s Christmas parade. She also wants to step up promotion of 4-H on social media in hopes of attracting new members.
The siblings graduated from North Montgomery High School this spring. She is heading to Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois to study ag business management. He is working on an EMT certification and hopes to join the Crawfordsville Fire Department.
