PLYMOUTH — The following is an open letter from Laura Ringler of the Plymouth Future Farmers of America to the north central Ohio community:
As the Richland County Fair gets near, our members are getting anxious with judging, and preparing for the show. On Wednesday July 8, 2016, Plymouth FFA members participated in the interview judging for the fair. This is required if you wish to take a project to the fair as it assesses your knowledge and skills related to the animal you are raising.
It is only a part in what is required to prepare for a successful fair. Every 4-H and FFA member works very hard to prepare their animals for the fair, although with different species the routine and associated cost varies.
Market animals such as steers may be kept by a student as long as twenty months whereas animals such as market rabbits are kept only six weeks. I take market hogs and turkeys and if you have ever tried to bathe a turkey, let me be the first to tell you that it is not the easiest thing to do.
Hogs are a little easier but you have to make sure they are going to make weight and adjust their feed accordingly.
Emily Kanney takes market goats and says that the most important thing she does is work with her animals.
“The fair is one of the things that impact the general public’s perspective of Agriculture the most, and it is vital that everyone who takes an animal to fair takes this opportunity to shed a positive light on the animal industry,” Kanney said. “Having an animal that works with me and is tame helps to paint that positive picture in the public’s eye.”
Joy Miller takes a Dairy feeder calf.
“Getting up at 5am during the school year to feed my calf takes a lot of extra work and dedication,” Miller said. “The skills I have learned working with my animal include general animal care and nutrition, good sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, leadership, and communication to name a few.
“It truly takes months to get ready for the fair. The most important thing is preparing my calf to do well.”
Alexis Washburn is in her final year of showing Dairy Feeders and Steers for Plymouth FFA. She has learned that the hard work and dedication she has learned through her FFA projects have already helped her succeed in her college education.
We wish Alexis the best of luck as she is vying for the role as the 2016 Richland County Fair Queen, she will compete Sunday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. in the John Hartz building.
The Richland County fair is Aug. 7 through 13.
Plymouth FFA has more than 20 students taking various livestock projects. There are always activities going on during the fair, but if you can’t make it to one of the many shows, the animal barns that are open and our members always love to answer your questions about our projects. There is plenty to see and do at the fair for young and old alike.
The Plymouth FFA would like to invite everyone to check out the hard work of our members as well as the other county 4-H and FFA members. After a long day of learning some great things about agriculture, don’t forget to quench your thirst at the Plymouth-Shiloh FFA Alumni Pop tent located outside of the Main Show Arena.
The tent is just one more way our alumni are working hard alongside our students to support the Plymouth and Shiloh local fair participants in the livestock sale. If you are interested in a certain animal here is the line up for you:
On Monday Aug. 8, at 8 AM is the Feeder calf show, Claudia Caudill, Jacob Echelbarger, Haley Felty, Joy Miller, and Alexis Washburn are all showing in that show. Also on Aug 8, at 8:30 a.m. is the Poultry show, Madeline Baker will be showing Market Turkeys and Jared Lewis will be showing Market Broilers.
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 8:30 AM is the Goat show. Jacob Echelbarger, Emily Kanney, Natalie Snyder, Lexi Surgener, and Sean VerBurg will be in the show. Also on the 9th, Jacob Echelbarger, and Lexi Washburn will participate in the steer show.
On Wednesday Aug 10, at 8:30 a.m. is the Rabbit show, Jacob Hale, Jared Lewis, Bryanna Madera, Brooke Shepherd, and Garrett Wilson will be showing. In the afternoon at 4 p.m. will be the swine show with Madeline Baker, Claudia Caudill, Bethanie Merritt, Charles Myers, Kim Myers, and Logan Myers participating.
Thursday, Aug. 11, is the Sheep Show at 8:30 a.m.. On Thursday Aug 11, at 5 p.m. is the small animal auction, this includes Poultry and Rabbits.
Finishing off the week on Saturday Aug 13, at 9:30 a.m. is the large animal auction, Steers, Feeder Calves, Hogs, Sheep, and Goats. The pop tent outside of the show arena is for the Plymouth-Shiloh FFA Alumni Buyers Club and the proceeds help to buy member’s animals, so stop in for a cold beverage and support the Buyers Club.
We welcome all individuals and businesses to come and bid on your own animal or to send a donation to our buyers club at 1784 Baseline Road, Plymouth, Ohio, 44865. Most importantly we hope to see you all there at the 2016 Richland County Fair.
