SEARCY, Ar. (LP) — This past week, the White County Fair made its annual appearance. For most people, this means fun carnival rides and fair food, but for the Searcy High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students, this means all their hard work they’ve put in is about to be put to the test.
At the end of each school year, the FFA students are given an opportunity to raise a goat for animal showing that takes place at several different fairs throughout the fall. The students get to choose their own goats from a goat breeder and are then taken back to the high school’s barn. These students have to care for these goats every day, morning and night.
“You have to care for your goat as much as needed,” says Gwenyth Schowe, an FFA member caring for a goat. “If your goat happens to be sick, then you may have to go to the barn more than just twice a day. It just all depends on its health.”
Throughout the summer, the students work and train their goat for showing season. At show, the goats are to be walked around the arena. To ease them into walking with the student’s pace, the goats practice being put on a halter and walking around in a circle. Once the goats are comfortable and can go the same speed as their caregiver, they are allowed to run around on their own. This gives the goat a little bit of exercise as well. Students also train their goats to brace. In competition, the judges will watch each student lift their goat up by the head, press up against them and stretch out their neck. This forces the goat to push back against the student, letting judges look at their flexed muscles. Not only do the judges look at the muscles, but also at the student’s showmanship and if they are bracing properly.
Just like at a beauty queen pageant, judges will look at the goats’ appearances. Before show, the goats’ caregivers have to wash their goat and blow dry their coat. They then shave their fur, giving them a clean cut and slick appearance. Students are also recommended to fluff up their goats legs to make them look poofy and either put baby powder or whitening powder spray to whiten their bodies.
“My agriculture teacher, Mr. Safely, likes to say we are getting the goats ready for their own prom,” comments Schowe.
Senior FFA member, Madelyn Hambrick, has been showing goats with FFA for four years.
“My favorite part of showing is being out in the arena showing my goats and being with my friends. You will always learn something new from the people around you and from the judges,” says Hambrick.
After showing season is over, the goats will move out of the high school’s barn and to a new home.
“My goats will get to go to a petting zoo in Cabot, Arkansas. I can go see my goats whenever I want to. They love all of the attention they get from the people who come to visit them,” says Hambrick.
After saying their goodbyes to their goats, the FFA members get a long break, that is until next spring rolls around and it is time to pick out a new goat all over again.
