Tina Wheeler

Anthony Perez

Autumn Inglis

Autumn Inglis

Robert Armstrong

Grand Champion Turkey

David Landeros

Chickens

Aaron Largen

FFA members showng their pigs in showmanship.

Brittany Gurrola with her steer Oreo.

Story and Photos by Bob Crum

Oh yes... what a great time to be young. Genie... oh genie... where art thou? Aaah... if only I could turn back the clock... here I am a teenager in the 4-H or the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program... and I'm raising chickens and turkeys. Because... at the 2010 Junior Livestock Auction at the Ventura County Fair... one turkey sold for $1,250 and another for $2,000. Imagine that? Wait... there's more. Three purdy-white chickens fetched a whopping $3,500! Gasp! On the other hand... if I were the winning bidder... I'd fully expect those chickens to lay golden eggs... or they'd be chicken soup before sundown.

Fillmore and Piru youth snare a share of Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors in pig, goat and lamb categories.

Being only her first ever animal raised... Fillmore's Tina Wheeler – Sespe 4-H - won Grand Champion pig. This kind of achievement is not easy to come by and for a newbie... it's quite uncommon. Why raise a pig? “I picked a pig to raise because I think it'd be the easiest animal and the most fun,” Wheeler said. Was that true? “Yes it was” Wheeler promptly replied. Really? “Well... it wasn't very easy... it was hard sometimes... but because he has a really good personality, it was fun” Wheeler confessed. What was difficult about raising Cookie... her pig? “Sometimes while walking her she'd get upset so I'd have to take her back to her pen. Or when I'd feed her she wouldn't eat so I'd have to feed her something else,” said Wheeler., adding that Cookie had a stubborn streak. Um... why the name Cookie? Because she looks like an Oreo cookie” said Wheeler. What about next year? “Another pig”, said Wheeler. Why? “Because they have really good personalities. Cookie weighed in at 276 pounds and brought an amazing $35 a pound at auction. And what will Wheeler do with the money? “Save some of it... and spend some on clothes”, she said with a smile.

This great act was followed by Anthony Perez... Fillmore FFA... who's pig won FFA Reserve Champion. This is his 3rd year raising a pig... always raised pigs... 2 years with 4-H and this year, upon entering High School, switched to Future Farmers of America (FFA). Why raise a pig? “I saw a pig one day and wanted one so... I got one.” Uh huh... makes perfect sense. Why not raise a steer... one wonders. “I thought about raising a steer”, said Perez... “but with the money... it's kind of more a financial matter”, adding, “starting out with a steer project is a lot harder then than it is with pigs.” Translated... steers cost more. Perez's pig's name is Tank... well... because of the size of him.” Tank's show weight was a porky 278 pounds from a diet of Morman 273. Close to Fair time... Tank's weight was a major concern for Perez... worried about Tank making weight... the high end limit being 280 pounds. Would Tank tolerate a diet? We'll never know.

Tank's life was good... roaming around an orchard vs. confined to a pen. As such... how would Tank behave in an arena atmosphere? Like a well-behaved pig to the great relief of Perez. Will Perez raise a pig next year? “Possibly... haven't decided yet... kind of like to end on a good note” said Perez. The auction brought Perez $8.50 per pound - $2,363.00 which will go into a savings account. It should be noted that Perez was extremely appreciative of his great support staff raising Tank. His long range plans? Perez intends a military career as a U.S. Marine.

Ariel Legan of Fillmore - Santa Clara Valley Grange group - won Grange Grand Champion for her 148 pound lamb. Relating her experiences raising Moose the lamb, Legan said, “he was a brat at first but it got better as it went along... as he got used to me and I got used to him.” At auction, Legan's lamb fetched $10 per pound. And her reaction? “It feels good... I made a lot of money.” And the plans for the proceeds? “Save it”, Legan quickly replied. And next year. “Another lamb”, says Legan. Not a steer? “Umm... maybe” she added. I thought about raising a heifer this year Legan said. “My sister's steer is awesome”, said Legan.

Autumn Inglis of Piru – Santa Clara Valley Grange – in her third year of the program raised a goat that won Grange Grand Champion. Raising the goat presented many challenges for young Inglis... one of which was the goat always insisting on chewing her hair every time she tried to give it a hug. Oh... the trials and tribulations of goat raising. What did Autumn like most about raising the goat? “They're like really fun... and once you get used to like having a goat you like get like you get attached to them. And like you want to keep them forever. Like a pet one wonders? “No”, Autumn quickly said... “he's not going to be a pet... he's going to go in someone's stomach. The most difficult part of all? “About when you go to auction... and that you're just about to loose your best friend,” said Inglis. “It's my second year and it's difficult getting used to that he's going to go. Next year? Inglis intends to raise another goat... and a turkey.

Autumn Inglis is an example of the conflicts and triumphs of raising a market animal. However, they know the objective, recognizing that the end result of raising a market animal is for auction. Yet there is no mistaking that perhaps the majority bond with the animal they were raising. Seems rather inevitable. So parting with the animal after the auction is not without a reasonable degree of sorrow and sadness. Most naturally feel a significant loss. However, the level of maturity these young people display in handling their emotions and feelings is astonishing. Perhaps one of the significant reasons is that these youngsters appear to be well grounded. While most clearly understand the goals and objectives the emotional component is always prevalent. And of course there are parents and teachers who graciously accept the tremendous teaching opportunity in raising well-rounded, level-headed youngsters. And let's not forget... there isn't much that teaches responsibility more than raising an animal.

The championship wins in the steer category were a bit slim... but the steer sure weren't... looking mighty well fed and averaging 1,300 pounds.

Robert Armstrong – Fillmore FFA – won First Award for his steer. This being Armstrong's first time ever raising an animal he was obviously very pleased. Most FFA participants obtained their animals from well known breeders. Armstrong did not follow the norm. Doing his own research, he found a Pismo Beach rancher - Geixeira – with a website listing cattle for sale. Armstrong bought one. Turned out to be a very good purchase. Next year? Maybe the same breeder or another rancher closer that has some pretty good steers”, said Armstrong.

Another great job by auctioneers John Dolleslager and David Macedo. These guys are the best... incredibly effective in getting the most money for the youngsters' animals.

To all those 4-H and FFA participants who won honors at this year's County FAIR... congratulations from the entire staff of the Fillmore Gazette. And in all land... there's no one that isn't proud of your hard-earned honors. And congratulations to all the parents who endured equal hardships in supporting their children in their magnificent endeavors raising a market animal. And of course... thanks to all the dedicated teachers who worked diligently with the youngsters all season.