After earning the title of grand champion market hen Tuesday, Jerrica Hargreaves, 16, of Dowagiac, and her prize-winning turkey both expressed enthusiasm.

While Hargreaves grinned with her trophy and blue ribbon, the turkey fluffed its feathers, flapped its wings and took off running.

But Hargreaves, who knows her animals wel,l was quickly able to corral the bird and return it to its cage.

“She was excited. I could tell,” Hargreaves said with a laugh.

Hargreaves is the daughter of John Edward Hargreaves and Christine Gibbs. She is enrolled in an early college program at Lake Michigan College and one day hopes to become a neurosurgeon, she said.

While Hargreaves’ bird does not have a name, the turkey receives as much care and love as any pet might. Each day, Hargreaves has fed, washed and worked with the turkey to make sure that she was ready to shine among the other birds. Prior to the show, the bird got a special bath with purple colored soap.

“Then you go out there and you do the best you can against everyone else, because there are a lot of turkeys here,” Hargreaves said.

While this only Hargreaves second year showing animals at the fair, it is a longtime tradition for her family and one that Hargreaves is proud to carry on. After years of showing animals, her relatives have developed a knack for spotting show-worthy animals. Hargreaves said her step-mother spotted the prize-winning bird among the free-range turkeys that roam their Dowagiac farm, she suggested that Hargreaves show the turkey at the fair.

“She is one of the few hens that we have among our toms [male turkeys],” Hargreaves said.

In addition to turkeys, Hargreaves also shows rabbits in the show and market classes. She spent the morning in the rabbit tent, before dashing to the turkey barn with only minutes to spare.

On the family’s farm in Dowagiac, working with animals is a routine and a team effort. Growing up, Hargreaves has spent her days lending a hand on the farm and caring for the animals. While it’s hard work, it’s something that Hargreaves does not mind doing.

“I just love being around animals and taking care of them,” Hargreaves said.

Later this week, the prize-winning turkey will be sold at an auction and Hargreaves plans on putting the money away into her savings.

“All of us kids have done so much hard work and then we get [to] profit from it,” Hargreaves said.

Reflecting on the experience, Hargreaves said those that show their animals will get more than prizes.

“It teaches you responsibility,” Hargreaves said. “You have to take care of something and help it grow.”

Hargreaves encouraged other youth with animals to show them at the fair.

“It is really fun,” Hargreaves said. “You get to take care of an animal and show everyone just how well you did.”