Spotlight
on Darby Club Calves
Meet
Joe and Martha Darby of Darby Club Calves, chosen by the Georgia
Club Calf Producers Association board of directors to be the 2008
Member Spotlight. Silently working in the background Joe and
Martha are no stranger to the Junior Livestock Program or GCCPA.Though quiet in nature Mr. Darby, a charter member of the GCCPA, has touched the lives of many exhibitors and their families in the state.
Those that have been touched will never forget the honesty
and level of integrity he carries as he represents his family, the
livestock program and its affiliates.
Mr. Darby retired after 30 years of service from the Gordon Co. Extension as a 4-H program assistant and the county’s Youth Livestock Coordinator where he built and nurtured what has become a powerhouse program. His work over the years found him coaching judging teams including seven state winning livestock judging and three state winning dairy judging teams.
He has spent many hours preparing young people for competitions with their livestock and DPA projects and he found pleasure seeing them achieve. Mr. Darby’s work in Gordon County helped to create a dynamic 4-H program second to none.
As a young person, Mr. Darby himself enjoyed showing livestock in junior shows, which lead him right into his career as well as breeding cattle. With a herd of about 30 black Simmental
based cattle it is truly a labor of love. Joe and Martha do a tremendous job with the herd,
if they “don’t cut the mustard”, they don’t stay. The Darby’s employ a successful AI program
and dabble in embryo transfer. And some “great ones” they have bred!
Joe and Martha participate in a couple of calf sales each year. They currently consign to the Gathering Sale and have been a part of every GCCPA Sale at the Beef Expo in Perry. Some of Darby’s most competitive animals include: the 2007 GCCPA High Point Steer shown by Hilary Webb of Florida. They also raised the 2006 State Champion Maine Steer shown by Harden Mobley. Their nephew, Matthew Darby, has shown many blue ribbon winners from Darby Club Calves including Champion Maine Heifer at the 2005 Georgia National Fair. The Darby’s send a couple of calves to Mississippi each year and celebrated the Reserve Champion Slick sheared steer at the 2006 Dixie National Livestock Show.
The GCCPA salutes Darby Club Calves for a job well done. The GCCPA is better with folks
like Joe and Martha Darby. The Darby’s help at nearly every GCCPA function, quietly and
generously giving their time and talents to make each event better. They have two grown children
and one grandchild, Gage who will be making his debut in the show ring this season on the
lead of club goats that his grandparents are helping him with.
So next time you find yourself traveling up I-75 North get off exit 312 at Calhoun. You will be in Gordon County, home of one of Georgia’s finest 4-H programs and one of GCCPA’s most competitive breeders. Give the Darby’s a call while you are there. Martha is a wonderful cook, Joe’s dad will be in the garden, his brother running the sawmill and Joe somewhere close by…..probably checking in on his prize cattle or maybe helping Gage launch a stellar 4-H project.
