Pennings sisters carry on family tradition

WARWICK — It’s a long family tradition and Jack Pennings and his wife, Monica, are understandably thrilled that their daughters Kaelyn, 14, and Cammie, 11, recently brought home first- and second-place ribbons for dairy cow husbandry contests at the New Jersey State Fair.

The State Fair and Sussex County Farm and Horse Show is an annual event held during the first week of every August at nearby Sussex County Fairgrounds.

As a traditional agricultural fair, it offers livestock competitions, food tasting competitions, 4-H competitions and exhibitions, crafts and horse competitions. It is the largest event in this area featuring various agricultural contests.

“Thanks to all their hard work, help from mom and dad and the knowledge that was passed down from their grandparents, our daughters Kaelyn and Cammie took first- and second-places in their classes at the State Fair,” reported Jack Pennings. “They are following our family tradition of breeding strong lines of cows and heifers.”

Competing against approximately 30 other contestants, including adults, the young ladies excelled in their classes. They will now take their cows to Syracuse for heavy-duty competition at the New York State Fair.

Kaelyn, who would like to become a veterinarian one day, is entering the freshman class at Warwick Valley High School. Cammie is a fifth-grader in the Warwick Middle School.

“My wife and I are very proud of the girls for taking such an interest in an old fashioned family tradition,” said Pennings.

His family has been farming in Warwick for more than half a century.

Pennings Orchard at 169 Route 94 South is owned and operated by Jack and Monica Pennings and is a popular destination for visitors during the apple picking season. For information visit www.penningsorchard.com.

- Roger Gavan