Leon County Show Projects

^^ The recent rains made feeding the project animals a muddy chore for brothers Jacob and Jarrett Fishbeck -- all the more fun! (And don't you know Christie had fun getting the stains from those jeans..!) Van'Go'photo 4-H members and FFA students throughout the county are busy this month gearing up for the 50th anniversary of the Leon County Youth Livestock Show at the end of this month. All over Leon County, youngsters are caring for pens of rabbits, goats, lambs, broilers, commercial heifers, swine and steers in preparation for the show, slated for March 30 - April 3.

- JACOB FISHBECK -

Buffalo 4-H member Jacob Fishbeck is a good example, since he will be exhibiting several animals. The 9-year-old is showing a steer for the first time as well as competing in the market and breeding gilt show. Last year he showed heifers, but he was ready for a more "hands-on" project this year.

The commitment to exhibit a project animal involves the entire family. There is a financial investment in the animal and feed, and also a considerable investment of time and energy. Jacob's parents Bobby and Christie take the youngster to feed his animals both before and after school -- and that means rolling out of bed pretty dad-gum early on a school day. Younger brother Jarrett, (8), is too young to compete with his own project animal this year, but he has been a big help as well. Jacob's steer and pigs are kept at the ranch of the youngster's grandparents, Tom and Jeannie Davis, so there are three generations committed to this project.

Up close and personal... Jacob grooms Wild Thing while the steer eats. Caring for their animals teaches the youngsters responsibility and other valuable Life Lessons! Van'Go'photo Sunday afternoons throughout the spring have been earmarked for handling the animals and gaining the expertise the young exhibitor will need when he takes his turn in the show ring. Jacob named his steer "Wild Thing", which may tip you off to the temperament of the Angus mix steer when the youngster began to work with him. Their training routine is paying off, however, and there is no doubt Jacob and his steer will be ready for the Big Show.

Cassie fills four water buckets and two food buckets for her pigs, Babe and Charlotte, two times a day. photo by Morgan Anderson - CASSIE FERGUSON -

Buffalo High School freshman Cassie Ferguson is preparing for her seventh go-round at the Leon County Livestock Show in April. Ferguson has been showing market swine since third grade, and says she has gotten used to the project, despite her busy schedule; which includes academics, track, and one-act play.

"It's pretty easy to take care of pigs, but I'm usually really busy," says Ferguson.

Cassie balances her schedule by feeding her pigs before school and after practices, going through one bag of feed every five days or so. The pigs, which weighed under fifty pounds when Cassie got them in November, should weigh anywhere from 200-250 pounds by showtime. She has not decided which pig she will show this year yet.

"I'd be pretty excited if I made the sale," says Ferguson. "But I'm really looking forward to meeting old friends and having fun at the show."

Jacob Fishbeck feeds his hog a mixture designed to "put rib on him", under the careful supervision of his dad, Bobby. Livestock show project animals require a commitment from the whole family. Van'Go'photo