Several Millbridge Elementary students went to local and state fairs to show livestock this fall.  Luke Allen (2^ndgrade), Audrey Bame (4^th grade), Maggie Deal (2^nd grade), and Kelsey Sloop (5^th grade) raised, cared for, and trained their own animals with a goal of showcasing their best physical features to judges in livestock shows. The students participated in smaller local shows over the summer to prepare for the state fairs.  The students showed their animals at the N.C. Mountain State Fair, N.C. State Fair, and Maggie Deal took her lamb to NAILE (North American International Livestock Expo) in Kentucky.

Allen, Bame, Deal, and Sloop are members of the local 4-H program where they expanded their interests in agriculture.  Through various 4-H projects, they learned to how to feed their animals and maintain their weight, groom them, halter break them, and exercise them to help reach their market potential.  The judges in livestock shows rank each animal by species on structure, muscle and quality, as well as the youth on their ability to show the animal.

Allen, Bame, Deal, and Sloop say they have learned the value of hard work and perseverance through their experience showing livestock. They would like other students to know it is not necessary to live on a farm to show livestock or join 4-H.  If you know of anyone interested in joining a Rowan County 4H club, contact Laura Allen at laura_allen@ncsu.edu.

Amy Stallings for Millbridge Elementary