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BEDFORD — Eighteen-year-old Lana Batman has been a member of 4-H nearly all of her life. She joined mini 4-H in kindergarten and now, a recent Bedford North Lawrence High School graduate, is a proud 10-year 4-H member. Even though she has spent most of her life committing herself to the care of various animals, she became attached to her steer, Rocky, during her final year.

“I got attached to him,” she said. “I just don’t think I could see him go.”

Throughout the year, Lawrence County 4-H members hand feed and take care of their animals, which can range anywhere from chickens to horses. Members complete a Quality Assurance training program and learn how to keep their animals healthy. At the end of the projects, the 4-H Livestock auction takes place. At the auction, the livestock are judged based on their appearance, condition and handling by the members and then usually auctioned off and commonly sent to market.

“This year I won two trophies for the first time,” Batman said. “I’d won first place before, but I’d never won a trophy.”

Like all 4-H members, it became time for her to auction her animal off and risk him going to the market, but she decided against it.

Instead, she found local business sponsors to help her buy her steer. She used it as an opportunity to spread the word about 4-H, as well as raise money for her college expenses, where she hopes to one day become a history teacher, while keeping her beloved animal.

“Most people are only able to get one sponsor,” she said. “I decided to try and get a few sponsors.”

She said sponsors can also gain an advantage by sponsoring 4-H members because of the advertising and tax write-offs they receive through their sponsorship.

“They get cheap advertisement in the newspaper and at the show,” she said. “They also get their name called at the show.”

Batman said she is usually shy and the experience of advocating for sponsors forced her to break out of her shell for her cause.

“It was really good for me to talk to people,” she said. “I learned that people don’t bite and the worst they can do is say no.”