Celebrating Agriculture and Community at the California Mid-State Fair

Written by Mila Shih, Vice President 2025-2026. August 8, 2025.

Every summer, the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles becomes a vibrant hub of excitement, entertainment, and the celebration of agriculture. I was so pleased to visit the fair with friends last week and enjoy a night full of thrilling rides (my favorite was definitely Blackout), concerts, and classic carnival food. While the Mid-State Fair is known for many attractions, its most meaningful tradition is the opportunity it provides for Future Farmers of America (FFA) members to compete in showmanship activities and sell their livestock. Throughout the year, our FFA members raise animals like pigs, sheep, steers, heifers, and more! Our SLO FFA chapter works behind the scenes during the school year to raise and care for their livestock--the Mid-State Fair is a culmination and celebration of all the students who’ve accomplished new and challenging things this year. 

First-timers and Friends at Fair

For many of our students who are rising freshmen or sophomores, this year marked their first time showing at the Mid-State Fair, where they not only gained valuable experience but also made new friends along the way.

Many students were introduced to the livestock program through friends and early FFA meetings. Rising sophomore Malia Priola raised a market lamb this year and placed fourth in showmanship. Encouraged by connections she made in FFA, she shared, “I learned that you need to have a lot of patience with them, and that showing livestock takes responsibility, hard work, dedication, and a lot of time! I definitely learned to listen to my animal because we are a team.” Although saying goodbye to her lamb was tough, she had a blast and is already looking forward to raising another next year. “I don’t think I would have shown [my lamb] if I hadn’t met people like Brooke, the novice sheep champion at the fair this year, who were also showing for the first time.” It's this kind of friendship and learning that continues to grow our FFA community.

Audrey Harris, who placed fifth in novice sheep showmanship, joined the program after hearing about it from friends. “I knew a lot of people doing it, so I went to the initial meeting and it sounded like a great opportunity. I’ve always loved animals, and it was another way to get involved in FFA.” While she’s unsure about showing next year due to summer travel plans, Audrey said she loved the team aspect of the program–both with her lamb and fellow members. Her biggest takeaways? Patience, time management, and how to “communicate and step out of my comfort zone.”

These stories are just a glimpse into the dedication our students bring to the FFA livestock program. Whether it’s their first year or they’ve been showing for several seasons, each student walks away with more than just ribbons; they gain confidence, friendships, and lifelong lessons in responsibility, leadership, and teamwork. We can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish next year!

Behind the Scenes

Walking through the livestock holding pens at the Mid-State Fair offers a different look at the future of agriculture. Our hardworking students can be found tending to their animals and socializing with their friends before the showmanship begins. From early morning feedings to late-night barn checks, our students reap the benefits of their hard work at the fair. Peyton Campbell, our 2024-2025 Chapter Historian who is headed off to Cal Poly SLO in the upcoming year, writes that her favorite moments of fair have to be those experienced behind the scenes. The best memory “has to be waiting in the holding pen before showmanship. When you’re fitting your animals, everyone is there waiting to help. The crowd is so supportive, and when you step out, everything goes silent”. 

For senior showman Eli Berry, each year at the fair brings a new set of experiences and personal growth.“The best lesson I learn every year is prioritizing my mental health.” While the buckle is meaningful, Eli writes “nothing beats the success I feel just by being in the final drive.” Eli’s favorite part about the showing experience starts midweek during the fair. “When it really sets in I have made it; that all of the work I’ve done throughout the year is completed and it’s time for me to just do my best. As a producer first, I feel so proud of the product I have created. Furthermore I feel proud to have done four years of this consistently, and stuck with it.”

Eli also shares that stepping onto the fairgrounds as a transgender students brings some anxiety. But, he’s found confidence in simply being seen for his skills and dedication. “Nothing feels more freeing than competing on the same level as my peers, as being labeled as an advanced showman and nothing else. We’re no longer concerned with the small details or drama; we’re all working toward one goal, together. There aren’t a lot of environments like that.”

While the fair is always be bustling with driven students, behind the scenes, they’re also full of quiet resilience, friendship, and personal triumphs. For FFA members like Peyton and Eli, the Mid-State Fair is also a space to grow and be seen for who they truly are, both in and out of the show ring.

A Win for All

Sometimes, the product of our passions is shown by taking first place in our categories. SLO FFA members have had their share of perseverance and victories. Our winners include Sutter Stornetta and Caleb Lazanoff showing replacement heifers; Caleb Lazanoff and Hayden Hall showing steers; Winter Abolymov and Collin Edwards earning champion and reserve champion spots for novice swine showmanship; Brooke Markowitz and Yoselin Cardenas taking the win in the novice sheep category; Claire George raised the champion breeding ewe; Madison Ruggerone, Finnegan Hays, Calvin Madonna, Max Reichmuth, and Abby Reichmuth earning top spots in other classes. A big congratulations to them!

Sutter Stornetta (right) stands with his champion heifer. Claire George (middle) celebrates her champion breeding ewe with her family!

Students who showed pigs at the Mid-State Fair gather for a goofy picture! Whether they won or not, these FFA members are all smiles as they crowd together in a display of camaraderie and friendship.

Maddi Holt, our new chapter reporter, received 5th place in the market for raising her pig, Smoky. Holt will definitely be showing an animal next year, as she thoroughly enjoyed being able to see everyone’s hard work paying off. “I learned lessons like how to get ready fast, communicate professionally with possible buyers, and no matter what, I have to be there for

my team”, states Maddi. It is the camaraderie between our students that speaks volumes about the teamwork and dedication that define the FFA experience. 

Onto the Next!

While our chapter’s bustling summer may be starting to wrap up, the new school year is about to roll around. Students in our agriculture classes will be participating in hands-on experiments, community service initiatives, and strengthening their leadership and career skills for the various experience-based events that take place during the school year. You’ll be able to meet our new officer team and make new friends at the monthly meetings where all chapter members are welcome. We’re so grateful for your support and look forward to meeting you all very soon!