Dylan' Dream:
Bucky at the County Fair
Inspired by her son Dylan’s dream for his prized calf, author Yvonne Ackerman pens a new children’s book based on real events to help children understand what it is like to take a farm animal to the county fair as a junior livestock exhibitor.
In Dylan’s Dream, readers discover what it takes to raise and care for a calf in preparation for the county fair show and sale. Offering a glimpse of the skills and abilities needed to raise a livestock animal, from breaking to lead and grooming to showing the animal in an arena, the book guides boys and girls through each step in the process for preparing to show their own animal at a county fair and the subsequent sale of the animal.
Promoting farming to America’s youth, Dylan’s Dream invites readers to chase their own agricultural ambitions, inspiring future generations of farmers.
The story behind Dylan's Dream
As a first year junior fair livestock exhibitor, Dylan wanted to take a dairy beef feeder to the fair. Unfortunately, his calf passed away unexpectedly and Bucky never made his debut at the fair. Two dairy heifers were born shortly after Bucky passed. Dylan showed the heifer calves in the junior fair livestock show as well as the open class show. Yet, he still longed for Bucky.
The loss of Bucky
had a lasting impact on Dylan
For months after Bucky passed, Dylan could not stop talking about the calf. Dylan would frequently talk about what his calf would have done at the fair, how he would have brushed Bucky's coat, washed him, and led him into the show ring. In his dream, Dylan and Bucky won a blue ribbon at the county fair.
Dylan's Dream
becomes a reality
As a way to remember Bucky and help Dylan grieve the loss of his calf, we agreed that I would write a story based on the steps Dylan played over and over in his imagination. I took notes from Dylan about each step of the process that he dreamed up, asking questions as I went along to make sure I had his ideas correct. Dylan's Dream: Bucky at the County Fair was born from the love my son had for his calf and a mother's wish to ease the burden of one of life's (and farmings) hard lessons.
About the Author
Yvonne A. Ackerman is the owner of The Market at Gladman Farms, providing fresh produce, cottage foods, bar soaps and more for her local community. She holds a B.S. in agricultural communications and worked in the electric cooperative industry for over 13 years, earning several state and national communication awards before retiring to focus on her health. A Lyme disease warrior and colorectal cancer survivor, she now carries on the family legacy of farming alongside her husband on her family’s farm in Tippecanoe, Ohio.
