It’s that time of year again folks! Warm weather, smell of manure in the barns, and deep fried everything. That’s right, it’s fair time! Whether you’re dancing at Jimmy’s, hitting up a concert, having fun in the carnival, shopping through the buildings, or checking out projects; there’s something for everyone. With just a couple weeks left before move in day, exhibitors are getting anxious. I talked to a few of our hard working local kids about their SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) livestock projects for this year’s fair.
Nathanael “Bubba” Bourgault with Paso Robles FFA
Nathanael, who goes by Bubba, is 16 years old and showing at CMSF this year with his market hog Babs. He has been showing for eight years now. Bourgault says, “I’ve shown other animals but but this is my first pig! I am really excited to get the new experience from showing a pig and to see the differences from other animals.”
Kendall Savage with Chaparral 4H
At 11 years old, Kendall is on her third year showing livestock. She’s taking her meat goat named BoBo this year. Savage can’t wait for showmanship with her goat!
Dylan Wilkinson with Paso Robles FFA
Dylan is 16 years old and has been showing livestock eight years. This year is a special year for Dylan. He has raised the “burnt steer” you may have heard about in the news. Wilkinson has nursed the market steer back to health and is looking forward to taking him to fair. He says he can’t wait to show people all the hard work that he has put into his project. He also said “I am most looking forward to showing people that even when something as bad as this happens, I pushed through and worked hard to make it to the fair.” To learn more about Dylan and Panda’s story, click here: http://www.ksby.com/news/family-who-owned-steer-that-was-set-on-fire-speaks-out/
Wyatt Savage with Chaparral 4H
Wyatt is 17 years old and has shown livestock for four years. In a few weeks he will be taking a market steer names Django and a replacement heifer named Miss Kay to Mid State. Savage is most excited for seeing the outcome with Dylan Wilkinson’s steer and watching his younger sister show.
Kaylee Ryan with Atascadero FFA
18 year old Kaylee is showing livestock for her eighth year. She’ll be taking a market hog named Ralph this year. Ryan says she can’t wait for showmanship!
Kai Silva with San Luis Obispo FFA
This year, 16 year old Kai will be taking a market hog named Choctaw Bingo. She has been showing livestock for 6 years. Silva told me that she can’t wait to improve herself in the show ring.
Jessie Featherstone with Atascadero FFA
16 year old Featherstone has been showing livestock for eight years This year she is showing a market lamb named Harry, two breeding ewes named Suzy and Elsa, and a heifer named Luna. Featherstone told me that she is most excited for the competition, friends, and memories made this year at CMSF. Looks like you will be busy!
Jessica Bejar with Paso Robles FFA
16 year old Jessica is showing a market lamb for Mid State this year! Her ewe lamb’ name is Sparkles. This is her first year showing livestock and she is excited for this entire experience. She says her favorite part of raising her livestock project this year was all of the new things that she has learned along the way.
Cody Autry with Chaparral 4H
16 year old Cody is showing a market lamb named Baretta for Mid State this year! He’s been showing livestock for four years with Chaparral. Autry says he can’t wait to make some more memories this year!
Colton Kersey with Atascadero FFA
18 year old Colton Kersey is involved with both 4H and FFA. This year he is taking a market hog named Petunia. He will also be representing Creston 4H with his team as state champions for livestock judging. Kersey has been showing livestock for ten years now and he says, “I have a passion for showing livestock where I started off showing bunnies when I was just a primary member.” So far Colton has shown every specie of livestock including chickens, heifers, steers, lambs, pigs, rabbits, and goats. This year he is most excited to serve on the Junior Fair board and hangout with some of his friends for the last time before he heads off to Oklahoma State University.
…and then there’s me, Carley Cockrum with Paso Robles FFA
I am 16 years old and this is my third year actually showing livestock. This year I’ll will be taking a market hog named Bud to CMSF. I’ve had some bad luck in the past but so far I’ve had a great experience with this project. It’ll be hard letting this one go! I can’t wait to see how he does in the ring!
For more information about 2014 California Mid State Fair or to see the show schedule, auction date, and much more visit: http://www.midstatefair.com/
For information on purchasing any of the above animals in the livestock auction and/or getting in touch with these exhibitors, contact me via email at: carleyjocockrum [at] yahoo.com.
[contentblock id=2]
