Peterson sisters carry on family tradition through National Salers Association

WAYLAND - For most sixth and ninth-graders, waking up at 6 a.m. to feed cattle is not something to look forward to. For Iris and Izzy Peterson, it's the first step in being involved in the family business.

For the sisters, the passion all stems form their grandparents, Bill and Jeannie Edwards, owners of Edwards Farms Salers. As soon as Iris, now a freshman at Washington High School, reached fourth grade she jumped at the chance to be part of 4H and joined the Washington Go-Getters.

Izzy, now a sixth-grader at Washington Middle School, said she saw how much fun her sister was having and jumped at the chance to join as well. Both girls began with bucket bottle calves and heifers and worked their way up from there.

The first time Iris showed an animal, she expected to be nervous. However, that turned out not to be the case.

'I was more excited about getting to bring my animals somewhere,” she said.

Her sister, on the other hand, was nervous but after watching her sister she gained a little confidence, she said. Once she showed on her own once, her confidence came in full force and she was ready to carry on tradition.

Showing Salers quickly became a passion that took both girls across the country where they show with the Junior National Salers Association. According to its website, the weeklong event changes locations and allows those 21 years old and younger to bring their cattle and show with others from across the nation.

Izzy said for her first year she was able to travel to Mississippi with her family.

'You meet people from all over and you get to show cattle. We compete, but we are all still friends,” she said.

For some, competing with other people their age and older may be intimidating. However, Iris said she sees it as a learning opportunity to improve what she is already doing and welcomes the advice.

Izzy, too, said she enjoys working with a new set of people, especially her older sister.

'It's nice to have your older sisters there watching over your back,” she said.

With college only being a few years away for Iris, she has begun to think about her future. Staying in the ag business in some capacity is in the cards for her, and for Izzy, too. Although she's only in junior high, carrying on the family tradition of raising cattle is a passion she's dedicated to follow.

'I will always come back,” she said.