Now, as she prepares to officially close the books on the 2007 Junior Livestock Show and Auction, Kitts is in the unique position of saying goodbye as she leaves for greener pastures while also preparing to delve deeper in to those youths’ lives on a more personal level.
“I’m going to be a 4-H leader,” said Kitts, who for the past 20 years has served as the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair’s livestock superintendent – essentially the one in charge of successfully putting on the Livestock Show and Auction each July.
Any day now her retirement will be official, once all loose ends from the 2007 event have been tied up and all facets of the annual auction have been resolved.
While it’s difficult for her to leave her post – or more accurately, the youth who work so hard year in and out to put their education to the test while helping to showcase the value of the agriculture industry – Kitts is nevertheless looking forward to a change of pace.

Ultimate multi-tasker Cindy Kitts (l) shares a light-hearted moment during the 2007 Junior Livestock Show and Auction with Inyo-Mono 4-HProgram Office Manager Cathy Ellis. Kitts? retirement from the post of Tri-County Fair livestock superintendent ? after 20 years ?officially begins any day now. Photo by Darcy Ellis

“I want to work more one-on-one with the children,” she said, noting that the 4-H program is in dire need of adult volunteers to mentor youth in whatever vocation, hobby or skill they desire to learn and practice. “I want to work with kids who want to learn about agriculture.”
And agriculture is certainly something Kitts knows a thing or two about.
A 4-H member herself for 10 years, one could say Kitts was bred to work with animals and children.
In fact, it was the San Fernando Valley native’s early experience with 4-H that shaped her career, as the club has for countless youth.
“I’ve worked in the fair industry for over 30 years in livestock in some capacity,” she acknowledged. “I’ve done a lot of fairs, from the south end of California to Oregon.”
Kitts was living in Oregon and in Susanville parttime, serving as livestock clerks for fairs all over the state, when she landed the livestock superintendent job in Bishop.
For the first 12 years, she would travel from out of the area to put on the Junior Livestock Show and Auction, a job that entails basically coordinating the entire show, from hiring the judges to scheduling and organizing all the showmanship events, preparing the hundreds of awards and planning and overseeing every aspect of the culminating auction.
Kitts, her husband, Loren, and their two children, Phillip, now 32 and in the Army, and Ryan, 30, of Bishop, eventually relocated to Benton to take advantage of the living conditions offered only in the Eastern Sierra.
Today, Kitts and her husband raise their own beef and look after chickens on their 20 acres nestled between the White Mountains and Sierra Nevada.
Such extensive, ingrained and hands-on livestock experience has served her well these past 20 years as Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair livestock superintendent, but more so, has translated into invaluable guidance and support for countless 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth who participate in the annual show (roughly 200 each year).
“Cindy and I grew up together in the San Fernando Valley and we were in the same 4-H club,” said longtime local 4-H leader Robin Johnston-Cox. “All five of my children have had the opportunity and good fortune to experience Cindy’s amazing livestock background, fairness and kindness.”
Johnston-Cox is certainly not the only one with praise for Kitts and her years of contributions.
“For the 20-plus years that Cindy has been barn boss for our Junior Livestock Show and Auction, she had earned the respect and gratitude of thousands of 4-H and FFA members by always being there for them in their time of need,” Lone Pine 4-H Club leader Tim Clark said. “Cindy’s unselfish manner and always putting the kids and their project animals first has shown that one person can make a lifelong difference.”
For Kitts, “being there” can be as simple as reminding countless kids the fair market weight of their respective animals, or even aiding out-of-town parents and relatives in finding RV spots at the fairgrounds for the annual four-day show and auction.
“Cindy has always worked well with the kids, explained the class and told them when to be there,” Carson Valley Shepherds 4-H leader Nita Vick said. “She would always be available to assist in any problem, no matter how big or how small. She will be greatly missed not only as a friendly face but as a giant source of information.”
But mostly, it’s about her sensitivity, enthusiasm, sense of humor and – at the same time – no-nonsense words of wisdom that have made the most impact.
“She has raised the level of commitment for the 4-H kids and is a pillar of strength and organization for the Junior Livestock Auction Committee,” said 4-H parents and leaders Gary and Suzie Olson. “Her dedication has improved the Livestock Show immensely.”
Deb Cobb, 4-H program coordinator for Northern Nye and Esmerelda counties in Nevada, wholeheartedly concurs.
“Cindy Kitts has provided many opportunities for young people to grow in their experiences. She has a tremendous impact in positive youth development through her mentoring, support and leadership with the Bishop Junior Livestock Show. Her efforts, focus and commitment are always forward-thinking and clear with the 4-H program, FFA and Bishop Junior Livestock Show,” Cobb said. “This type of work has brought the kids of Inyo, Mono and Northern Nye together. The kids know they are valued, how much she cares and feel like they belong to something great.”
Obviously, Kitts will be missed.
“We are lucky to have worked with Cindy and truly recognize the value of her work,” Cobb added.
“We will miss her presence,” said Johnston-Cox, “although I imagine she’ll be back.”
And, again, she will. This time as a 4-H leader, working closer with local youth interested in livestock, before they arrive at the annual show.
Brenda Lacey, Inyo-Mono 4-H Program coordinator, has long-extolled Kitts’ contributions to both 4-H members’ burgeoning careers and the Junior Livestock Show and Auction.
“Cindy Kitts is an outstanding example of the dedication 4-H leaders have to youth and the ideals of 4-H,” Lacey said. “She has served as a 4-H leader for over 30 years and her love of agriculture and ag programs for kids is a tribute to her dedication to the youth of Inyo and Mono counties.”
As for Kitts, she demures at taking all the credit for 20 years of successful livestock shows and auctions.
“I couldn’t have done it without all my friends,” she explained, adding, “and a lot of the kids are good about helping” as well as many of the parents. “There’s a bazillion people I’d like to thank.”
Cathy Ellis, office manager for the Inyo-Mono 4-H Program and one of Kitts’ many longtime friend, noted that not only has it been an honor to work with her each summer, but also an inspiration to see how much Kitts dedicates to ensuring the Junior Livestock Show and Auction remains as much about the youth – the exhibitors – as possible.
“It has been such an honor – a real hoot – these past 12 years to work with Cindy, watching her give everything she has to the show and auction and most importantly, the kids,” Ellis said. “So very many of us 4-H leaders, parents and of course the kids themselves will be feeling her absence for quite some time.”
Those “kids,” ultimately, are what it boils down to for Kitts, who has witnessed countless youngsters grow from pre-teens to high school students exhibiting their livestock each July to adults who now have their own children in the show.
Indeed, Kitts has not dedicated her talents to the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair Livestock Show and Auction for praise or a paycheck these past 20 years.
“It’s the kids,” she said. “It’s always great when they win, but these are all great kids who put a lot of time and effort in, and if they learn something and have a good time, then it’s worth it.”