Decatur FFA members getting ready for the fair

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

— DECATUR - Twelve members of the Decatur FFA are showing a variety of hogs, cattle, sheep and goats in the Benton County Fair this week.

Students were getting everything in order last week for the fair, agriculture teacher Lisa Barrett said Friday. Some of their tasks included bathing and clipping their animals, last minute weighing, and preparing to be out of school for the week.

Kourtnee Funk and Hollee Coe, who are both showing hogs, say they were giving their pigs "lots and lots" of baths last week.

Students with sheep have to make sure their animals are neatly clipped.

The students met at the fairgrounds onSaturday to clean up the barns and put shavings in their animals' pens. Exhibitor meetings were also held on Saturday so students could learn what was expected of them, Barrett said.

Getting ready for the fair is a busy time for Barrett. Among her many responsibilities, she has to make sure all the hogs and cattle are taken to the veterinarian to get health papers.

"We have to make sure they're healthy so they can participate in the fair," she said.

The sheep and pigs will be shown Wednesday, and cattle will be shown on Thursday. The sale will be held Thursday night, Barrett said

Decatur FFA members will also be participating in the judging contest and skillathon on Friday.

News, Pages 2 on 09/16/2009