Faith Gasteiger’s “farm girl” skills earned her a cash prize and free malt at the fair — and on her 10th birthday, too.

“I wasn’t really good at it before,” said Faith, a veteran of the Ag Olympics. “I was second.”

She also enjoys showing cattle, her family said.

“I like being in 4-H,” she said.

Faith was one of more than a dozen kids who participated in the Ag Olympics Friday afternoon in Crane Pavilion at the Mower County Fair.

Participants hurried to carry a pail of grain and push a wheelbarrow; throw and stack feed bags on a pallet; tighten an adjustable wrench on a bolt stand; and even chug a carton of milk.

“That’s the hardest part right there,” said Marlin Fay, pointing to the wrench. “You wouldn’t think so.”

Fay, of Grand Meadow, is vice chairman of the Mower County Farm Bureau, which sponsored the ninth annual event.

The event awarded cash prizes of $15 for first place; $10 for second; and $5 for third for boys and girls in the 12 and under, 12-14, 15-18 and 19 and over categories. All participants received a coupon for a free malt a the American Dairy Association Malt Stand.

Usually about 40 people participate, although that number was down this year.

“It’s just fun and laughs,” Fay said.