Members of the Future Farmers of America have been competing in various contests since January. Junior Autumn Burris and freshman Zoe Wilder both came home with big wins.
Burris’ steer won her class at the Fort Worth show. At the sale Burris’ steer was sold for $17,120.
“It was a big deal for us to win because winning my class had never been done before,” Burris said. “I cried happy tears for probably 30 minutes. We weren’t prepared to win at all. We didn’t think any of us were even going to place and when it did none of us were expecting it.”
Freshman Zoe Wilder showed her Shorthorn heifer at the San Antonio Livestock Show. Zoe’s heifer was Reserve Grand Champion. Along with winning Reserve Champion Zoe also received a $10,000 scholarship from the show.
“My cow, Big Mama, winning 2nd out of 315 cows that were there was almost unreal,” freshman Zoe Wilder said. “I ended up winning the $10,000 scholarship for four years which will end up being a total of $40,000 for all four years.”
The students work hard to even get to go to these contests and shows. The students raise these animals from about four months until they are grown and ready to show. They do everything that goes into taking care of these animals including feeding them and washing them sometimes twice a day.
“Every morning I go feed,” Burris said. “With the steer that won I washed him at least two or three times a week. They get fed twice a day. They are pampered. We have to make sure they always have hay and water. I vaccinate them and take care of their hooves.”
Students in the FFA program learn various skills involved with agricultural education.
“We learn things about everything from leadership to career development,” Burris said. “FFA ranges from like livestock to even plant life. It’s for kids who can’t find a niche-they find it here with us.
This year over spring break some of the FFA students went to the Houston Livestock Show.
“It was an overall great experience,” junior Mary-Stewart Johnson said. “It shows people what it’s like being involved with things like this. They had everything from watching chicks hatch to the birthing center. It was a great learning experience and something I’ll never forget.”
