Written by: Sophie Maino
This July 23rd through the 30th San Luis Obispo FFA took approximately 80 junior livestock exhibitors to the California Mid State Fair. Here our chapter once again experienced success in the fields of livestock along with industrial arts projects. From athletes, artists, surfers, musicians, dancers, and more… our truly diverse group of students have been working incredibly hard all summer to get their animals and projects ready for show.
Members of the sheep group from L-R: Lindsay Haggard, Elisa Garnsey, Jacob Grant, Sydney McGovern
In the swine barn, around 45 San Luis Obispo students spent eight days at the fair showing, marketing, and auctioning their swine projects. On Tuesday the 26th in the market show, Kai Silva, a 2016 grad, won the FFA Champion duroc. During showmanship two days later SLO FFA once again was ready to show there way to the top. The showmanship finals resulted with six San Luis Obispo exhibitors in the top twenty. A huge congratulations goes out to Jacob Alonso and Ethan McKeague for finishing 3rd and 4th in the Advanced FFA Showmanship Finals. All these students thoroughly enjoyed their time at fair and are looking forward to next year. We would like to give a huge Thank You to the Silva Family for all their help with our hog group this year.
Kailyn Silva
Ethan McKeague and Jacob Alonzo
San Luis Obispo also tasted victory in the sheep barn. Our FFA chapter was fortunate enough to have about 15 members showing lambs. These students had their lambs sheared and trained when it was time for showmanship. Lindsay Haggard took first in the Novice FFA Sheep Showmanship and Michael Rudd and Winter Wong followed close behind taking second and third. A special shoutout as well to Tatiana Morey and Sarah Kinsey in sixth and eighth. In the beef barn, San Luis Obispo had approximately 10 beef projects ready for the fair. Wyatt Judge was able to sweep the show receiving first in Advanced FFA Showmanship with his Reserve Supreme Champion heifer. Thomas Phelan placed a close 4th overall. Shelby Walker as well won the Novice FFA Beef Showmanship and SLO FFA had four other exhibitors in the Advanced Showmanship Finals. Along with all the success in showmanship a special congratulations goes to Dan Herrera on his Reserve Champion FFA AOC Steer.
Thomas Phelan and Wyatt Judge
As the extended week of fair came to an end the members of the San Luis Obispo FFA chapter auctioned their animals which would soon be sent off to help feed our nation’s growing population. The tired students then headed home looking forward to another exciting fair next year. We would like to express our thanks to the parents, local businesses, and Woods-Claeyssen Foundation for supporting our students as buyers at the 2016 livestock auction.
Comments