Show Time At The Washington County Fair

FAYETTEVILLE — Farmington, Lincoln and Prairie Grove FFA members, as well as kids from many area 4-H groups, showed their livestock last week at the 2018 Washington County Fair.

For one mother and Farmington High School teacher, showing at the county fair is a “whole new world.”

This is Stefanie Earnheart’s second year to watch her daughters show at the county fair and she’s been impressed with what it is teaching her children. Madison, 16, is a member of Farmington High FFA Club, and Shelby, 12, is a member of Vet Science 4-H Club.

”This is an amazing opportunity for kids to get involved in,” Earnheart said. “It builds their confidence. They are learning to talk one-on-one with the judges about their animals.”

Earnheart, who teaches history, also has been surprised at the amount of work put in by FFA sponsors and the school’s agriculture teachers in helping their students prepare for the fair.

Earnheart didn’t grow up on a farm and didn’t grow up showing animals at a county fair. Madison took an agriculture class because she’s loves animals and is interested in a career that involves animals.

One of the school’s FFA sponsors, Clayton Sallee, asked Earnheart if Madison would like to show a pig and Earnheart said her reply was, “uh…sure.”

Earnheart’s subdivision does not allow livestock so Madison takes care of her pig at Farmington’s agri barn, located near the maintenance building.

Earnheart said being involved with the county fair is fun but she admits it can be stressful.

Cameron Oliver, owner of Oliver Farms in Cane Hill, is on the other end of the spectrum. All five of his sons have shown livestock at the fair from an early age. His youngest, Hoyt, 2, participated in the piglet class this year.

“It builds responsibility and teaches them they have something they have to take care of,” Oliver said.

His oldest, Hunter, 13, is president of his 4-H Club and is looking forward to being a part of Lincoln High FFA. Hunter cares for pigs and heifers.

He’s excited about FFA, he said, because he’ll be able to work with different groups and be involved in other projects.

“FFA is not just showing,” Hunter said.

About 50 students participated at the county fair from Lincoln. Some are with FFA and others with 4-H groups.

Kevin Barenberg, Lincoln FFA sponsor and agri teacher, said Lincoln has animals in every barn and kids in every barn.

“We have kids involved in everything and that’s good,” Barenberg.

Farmington High FFA brought 16 students to show at the county fair and Prairie Grove High had 15 students with show projects and 25 that helped park cars each night.

Emma Kelley, 11, of Prairie Grove, left, Tatum Perkins, 9, and Savannah Perkins, 11, both of Farmington, show their Llamancha goats during the dairy goat judging last week at Washington County Fair. All three are members of Hogeye 4-H Club.

PHOTOS BY LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Wyatt Hunt, 14, a member of Farmington FFA Club, shows his Duroc hog at the Washington County Fair last week. About 16 Farmington FFA students participated in the 2018 County Fair.

Casey Burden with Lincoln High FFA Club shows her Duroc hog during the Washington County Fair. Lincoln had more than 50 students involved in the fair, including FFA and 4-H members

Cole Brumley, 11, of Prairie Grove, shows off his Blue Old English chicken. His animal was named the reserve champion for its breed at the Washington County Fair.

Rylie Bignar, 11, of Lincoln, shows a Nigerian Dwarf goat during the dairy goat judging last week at Washington County Fair. Rylie is a member of Goin’ Showin’ 4-H Club.