Hay!

As I clean the hay out of my purse (not a metaphor) I’ve happened upon opportunity to reflect on the whole junior livestock thing.

Have you ever been to the fair or a junior livestock auction and wondered what it’s all about? It’s about kids busting their butts to see something through to completion. It’s about the circle of life and understanding where your food comes from and what responsibilty we have to the creatures whose purpose is to sustain us. It’s about a community that strongly believes in nurturing these values in our future generations.

The Adams family started with the junior livestock program as early as allowed. Daniel was 9 when he took his first lamb to fair. It was wild to see a 9 yr old do all the work necessary without complaint. His first lambs were named Dan and Lois, after the breeders.

To be able to grow and show an animal, you must spend a lot of time with them. Months of twice daily interaction. Walks, sheering, washing, etc. As it got closer, I worried how he’d handle saying goodbye. The children walk their animals to the pen where they will be picked up and transported to where they will be butchered. He walked his lamb there, then walked back with an empty halter. I braced for tears. There weren’t any, so I guess my eyes decided to take that on. “Mrs. Adams are you okay?” said the well intentioned teen girl. Out loud I said yes, but in my head I hoped the child would stop trying to comfort adult me.

We powered through, and were eager to keep on with projects. Daniel remained in the sheep group. He was the only boy. The leader would often call to the children, “Girls,…and Daniel…”

As soon as Dirty was old enough, he took lambs too. Even though they are brothers (with all the strife that entails) they worked well-ish together. I smile when I see the pictures from those times. Especially the ones where they had to walk their sheep before it was fully light outside.  

Over time, we learned that Daniel did better when we stayed out of his way. We learned that Dirty really wanted nothing to do with sheep, and so he merged into taking steers. And even though this meant a LOT more work for him, he continued to rise to the responsibility. His work season around the project now lasted about 8 months (sorry for that much bovine sharing a fence with your beautiful backyard Ms. Powers). He did great every year. It’s quite something special to see a young’n who’s personal weight was never more than 170 during his years of the projects use good old herd animal psy ops to control a 1,300 pound animal. The care he gave his steers rivaled some of the best spas in town, I’m certain.

But like all things, family fair time has  come to an end . Gone are the days of nagging about buyers letters. No more angst about animal departure. No more worries about the sale. No more animals to get to know. No more buyers baskets to be made. I’ve ironed my last pair of white wranglers.

The projects taught Daniel and Dirty so much. They also taught me a great deal about the capacity of my boys to take on very tough tasks. I’m very proud of all that they accomplished and so incredibly thankful we live in a place that has such an opportunity.  And while I’m bummed the fair time is officially over, I’m excited for whatever is next. Plus, I really eat like a trash panda on fair weeks. Time for that to be DONE. (Literally, 2 nights I ate 1/4 pound of fudge for dinner. Who does that?!)

Thanks for reading, and if you know of folks involved in, or who’ve bought from, a junior livestock auction, please extend my most sincere thanks!