(Photo provided by Nicole Zimmer) Madi Zimmer poses with her market hog at the Waterford Community Fair in August. She won the title of Grand Champion Market Hog at the fair.

At 13 years old, Madi Zimmer has already won three grand champion titles for market animals at different local fairs. She won grand champion for her heifer, steer, and hog.

From Whipple, Ohio, and currently residing on the family farm in Stanleyville, raising and showing her animals has been her passion.

She’s been showing the animals she’s raised for about five years and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“Since school is starting, we now spend our entire evening feeding and washing them,” said Zimmer. “During the summertime we are down there all morning and then at nighttime we feed them.”

She’s going into her eighth grade year at Fort Frye High School and balances her school work with time spent on the farm. No matter how busy school gets, she said she always makes time for her animals.

(Photo provided by Nicole Zimmer) Madi Zimmer presents her market hog at the Waterford Community Fair in August.

“I’m mostly excited for my algebra one class since it’s a high school class,” she said. “I made the principal’s list and I’ve always had straight A’s and I’ve excelled in math.”

She said that she mostly studies during her time in school or free time between classes. Zimmer doesn’t participate in any sports since most of her time after school is spent raising the animals. She’s a member of 4-H and this is her first year participating in FFA.

She said since it’s her first year in FFA, she doesn’t know exactly what her role will be.

At the Waterford Fair in August, she won Grand Champion Market Hog and Middle Weight Champion. She said she’s pretty proud of that moment.

“We have quite a few cows and feeder calves,” said Zimmer.

(Photo provided by Nicole Zimmer) At the Barlow Fair in September 2024, Madi Zimmer won Grand Champion Feeder Steer. She also won Best Bred & Owned Feeder Steer.

Zimmer also shows her feeder calves at other fairs like Barlow and Washington County.

“I really love working with my animals but it’s also fun to hang out with my friends there as well,” she said.

She has quite a few fairs coming up that she’ll be showing hogs and feeders at but she’s also interested in showing steers and lamb through 4-H.

“I like showing my cows more because I get more attached to them emotionally and they take up more of my time,” said Zimmer.

When Zimmer isn’t in the barn taking care of her animals, she likes to fish with her twin sister or friends. She said they have ATVs they’ll take around the property and they have a lot of fun.

(Photo provided by Nicole Zimmer) Madi Zimmer presents her feeder steer in the ring at the Barlow Fair in September 2024.

“We like to hunt on our property and on our grandpa’s property sometimes,” she said.

Zimmer also volunteers with various events in the community such as easter egg hunts or local activities. She likes to help out around the community when she has free time.

(Photo provided by Nicole Zimmer) Madi Zimmer poses for a photo on the family farm in July.