N.M. 4-H member’s $60K poultry sale honors late mother

The auctioneer’s gavel fell at $60,000 spent on a box of Adeline Swarengin’s 1st place broiler chickens at the Eddy County Fair in New Mexico on Saturday. 

On July 19, the Friday before the fair, Adeline’s mother, Liana Swarengin, passed away, leaving behind her husband Lance and their three children, Adeline, 12; Oliver, 8; and Dillon, 6. In December 2023, Liana was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which spread to her liver and lungs. Her passing left a significant void in the family’s life. 

“Lance and the children were the center of Liana’s life. A devoted wife and mother, Liana loved to care for her family, but most of all, Liana loved the Lord. Her faith in Jesus Christ was central to her life and was evident in everything she did,” reads an obituary shared on Artesia Funerals.

Despite the devastating loss, Adeline continued her 4-H activities through Penasco 4-H. She showcased her broiler chickens at the Eddy County fair this past week, winning Class 2 1st place broiler chicken. On Saturday evening, she sold her award-winning poultry with a friend by her side.

“She was stunned, standing in that arena with her friend. She is just amazed and so thankful. We asked her what she was thinking, and she said, ‘I don’t remember,’” Lance recalls, reflecting on the bittersweet moment.

The atmosphere of the sale was a blend of joy and melancholy. Lance, who works for Chase Farms, relocated to Artesia along with his family. Calling the move a blessing, he described the vital role community support played in their recovery. “We were surrounded by friends and family who offered incredible support. Liana was determined that Adeline should continue showing her chickens regardless of the circumstances, and the fair provided a much-needed distraction for the kids. It was a comforting and positive focus during such a challenging time.”

The timing of the fair and the funeral service presented some logistical challenges, but Lance noted the event provided a comforting routine that the kids look forward to all year. “We had the service on Saturday morning, went home for a few hours, and then went straight back to the fairgrounds.”

Lance spoke with hope about the future, saying, “Adeline was blessed with such a huge gift that she’ll be able to set herself and her younger brother, Dylan, up for an awesome future. The show and sale were answered prayers. It was a gift from God. She’s already planning to show dairy heifers next year and has big dreams ahead.”

Reflecting on the lighter moments, Lance fondly remembered, “She won a showmanship buckle, and I found her writing a thank you note on a piece of paper. I told her we’d be getting a list with a lot of people to thank, and that she could draw pictures of chickens and use her wax stamp on them. You should have seen her smile.” 

As for the chickens, they’ll be processed by the family alongside family friends next weekend. Lance shared that they plan to throw the winning three on the grill first, humorously noting, “I’ve never had a $20,000 chicken.” 

Auctioneer Shane Hall captured the spirit of the occasion. “Whenever you grow up, no matter what happens to you, you’ve always got memories, and you’ve always got someone watching for you up there,” he said, pointing heavenward. “But, in this place, you’ve got someone watching for you in every corner of the place right there.” 

At least another $7,556 had been raised in Liana’s honor to benefit the Eddy County Fair Add-On’s Non-Sale, which will be split evenly among animals that did not make the sale. 

»Related: Bunnies and broilers: Livestock alternatives for inner-city spaces

Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.