LANSING, Mich. – Sophia Nielsen is about as dependable of a 4-H’er as they come in Michigan, where she has gained recognition locally and statewide for her work in the dairy program.

The eighth grader at Lansing Christian School also earns high marks for her friendly nature.

“She’s very pleasant to work with and pleasant to talk to,” said Glenda Weiss, the Ingham County 4-H coordinator.

Nielsen, 14, began showing dairy cattle in the Ingham County Fair with a cow she borrowed from her sister, Irene, who’s in her final year of eligibility in 4-H.

She’s now the sole owner of two heifers and co-owner of several other cows she keeps on another farm about a half hour drive from her family’s hobby farm, which houses several head of beef cattle.

Nielsen has also gone on to earn first place awards for showing her dairy cattle at the local and state levels the past few years.

She gave her older sister, who also shows dairy cattle, much of the credit for polishing her skills after experiencing some early struggles in the show arena.

“It took a lot of work to get to where I am today,” Nielsen said.

Nielsen said one of her goals now is to keep getting better at showing cows and to grab her first ever Supreme Heifer award.

The Supreme Heifer is based more on their physical characteristics in areas like udders and bone structure.

Her older sister could also play a role in any Supreme Heifer awards coming her way because Nielsen is learning from her about breeding.

Having parents as professors in animal sciences at Michigan State University also can’t hurt in achieving her 4-H goals.

Nielsen said she’s already learned a lot from the knowledge her parents have shared about animals. “I’ve had a lot of help in the animal science world,” she said.

Last year, Nielsen was named one of the outstanding 4-H members under the Michigan 4-H State Awards Program. She was the recipient in the junior division of the dairy science category.

The award recognizes youth for their commitment to bettering themselves and their communities through service and extensive 4-H work. It is the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H members.

Weiss said Nielson doesn’t have to be reminded about completing projects or anything else she’s assigned to do. 

“If she says she’s going to do something, you know it’s going to get done,” Weiss said.

Her mother, Miriam, is a dairy sciences professor while her father, Brian, is an equine sciences professor.

Nielson said she plans on going to college and studying either dairy science or agricultural communication.

Her interest in dairy science and joining 4-H as a “Clover Bud” at age 5 also stems from watching her older sister in the show arena with her cows and the “docile nature” of the milk giving animals.

“I always tagged along in her shows,” she said.

Nielson said Holsteins are her favorite breed of dairy cow because of their milk producing capacity and strong build.

“I prefer a taller cow as opposed to a shorter one like a Jersey,” she said.

Nielsen said she’s pleasantly surprised and pleased at how she’s progressed in the show arena considering she didn’t have high expectations at first.

If she doesn’t win, Nielsen said she’s still happy just to be in the show arena and putting in her best effort. “I’ve always enjoyed working with animals so I’m grateful for 4-H to give me a platform to do that on,” she said.