Ag students raise animals to show
In the ring–FFA freshman Delaney Brown works her hog around the show ring at the Gaines County Junior Livestock show in January. Brown shows animals much of January and February each year.
From outside the Ag barn, oinking, grunting and smacking could be heard; it was a place where FFA students had made fond memories.
“One time we had this pig, and he was running down the barn,” senior Ashley James said. “It ran through my little brother’s legs, and he started riding the pig.”
For Ag students, animal pens have been a staple in their lives for as long as they can remember.
“I’ve been showing animals officially since third grade,” junior Carlye Winfrey said, “I’ve been around it all since I was born.”
Raising animals showed students that each one has its own unique personality.
“My Southdown lamb has an arrogant persona,” Winfrey said. “It’s very playful and loves to jump around the pen.”
Showing animals has had a positive effect on these ag students.
“It gave me better responsibility for sure,” senior Randy Knelsen said. “I have to take care of everything, or I get in trouble.”
For these competitors, being involved in 4-H or FFA opens new doors.
“It has made quite a large impact on me,” Winfrey said, “I’ve made a lot of friends across the country.”
For seniors in the programs, the money they make this last year will go toward their futures. “I used to take my earnings to buy new animals for the next year,” Knelsen said, “This year it will go to benefit me since it’s my last year in high school.”
