When most students were gearing up for their first day back at school, 19 Arcata FFA students were getting ready to show and sell their animals at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale! These students show a wide array of livestock such as sheep, hogs, steers, and rabbits.
The Humboldt County Fair had a record year at the livestock auction, with total sales being over 1 million dollars! This year was the 129th annual fair, making it one of the oldest fairs in California. Livestock exhibitors range in age from 5 to 19. Arcata FFA members who show livestock have a wide range of experience, with some participating in 4H as kids, and others starting after joining FFA in high school.
Senior Breann Borghino has been showing a variety of species such as sheep, hogs, and beef for over seven years. After winning the Reserve Grand Champion for her steer at the Humboldt County Fair, she believes that the key to success is hard work.
“I wake up, I feed my animals, I go to school, and then right when I get off work, I come home and work with my animals,” Borghino said. “Pretty much all my free time goes to my animals.”
Showing livestock gives students an outlet to learn about the agriculture industry and make connections in the local community. Sophomore Annabelle Brunner decided to show for the first time this year through Arcata FFA.
“I want to be a veterinarian, and I’m on the FFA Veterinary Science team,” Brunner said. “I wanted to get any experience with animals possible, and I’ve always wanted to show.”
From her background growing up on a farm, Brunner has learned the importance of listening to and caring for animals.
“Don’t treat your animals like they’re yours to show, because they’re really the ones showing you, and how well you’ve raised and taken care of them,” Brunner said.
For many, the fair is a reflection of the hard work they have been contributing for nearly a year.
“If you are thinking about showing, I say ‘go for it,’ because you only have this opportunity for such a small amount of time, and you gain so much valuable experience that most people will never get the opportunity to,” Borghino said.
