This year we have built an Ol’ Time Feed Store with an education element that teaches the daily feed requirements of the horse, pig, sheep, goat, chicken and guinea pig (our 4-H animals).
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Out in the Livestock Barns
County fairs have been a part of America for over 200 years and livestock shows have always been a part of the fair. Santa Cruz County’s first livestock show was held in 1887.
The County Fair brings people together to display their skills, craftsmanship, hobbies, produce, flowers and the latest techniques and gadgets for making life easier for the farmer and homemaker. Livestock shows at the fair were held to help improve the various breeds of farm animals through competition.
Today the shows are a big part of the life lessons being taught by the 4-H and FFA.
Members show their animals that have been raised for the fair or are in their breeding program. Depending on the species of animal, the owners have to care for the animal from 60 to 120 days for market animals, while breeding projects are multi-year ventures.
The Junior Livestock Auction takes place Saturday, when the owners will be selling their market animals. Buyers for these animals will pay above-market prices to help the young person recover his/her expenses and make a profit. We invite you to come to the auction on Saturday to support the youth. The Auction Committee will be providing lunch and a BBQ dinner for auction buyers.
Livestock projects teach young people many life skills such as responsibility in caring for their animals, record keeping to make sure they are doing what they promised to do, and marketing through preparing their animals and showing them to get the best price possible. Through these projects, many are raising the funds necessary to attend college.
“Very seldom, if ever, do you see a child that has an animal project get in trouble with the law. They are too busy learning how to be a good citizen and contributing to the betterment of their communities,” said fair volunteer Lynne Grossi.
At the Fair, you have the opportunity to watch these animals with their owners in the Livestock Arena, the barns and in the Nursery.
Like all departments at the fair, the Livestock Department is an all volunteer group dedicated to working with the youth of our community to make sure the young people have a positive experience at the fair.
See you Saturday, September 14 at the Santa Cruz County Fair!