|
Freshman and Holtville FFA student Kylie Toth braces her lamb "Buddy" at the Ag Department on Feb. 5 at Holtville High in Holtville. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO / March 3, 2013) |
For a majority of people in Imperial County, the start of the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta brings the smell of food, the sound of lively music and often windy weather to mind.
Yet for members of the local Future Farmers of America chapters, the fair means much more than funnel cakes and carnival rides.
Working with their respective animals since November, most FFA members look forward to the challenge of showing and selling their animals.
While the months leading up to the fair are often demanding and stressful, Calexico FFA member Lilian Arellano said it is worth it in the end.
“This is what we work for,” Lilian, a 17-year-old senior said. “We all want to do well because we know the hard work it takes to raise animals and meet all the requirements.”
In addition to devoting countless hours to the care of their animals, most FFA members are also involved in other extracurricular activities such as sports, associated student body and mock trial.
“Being in FFA helps you learn time management,” said Gabby Celaya, Imperial Section FFA reporter. “We all have other things going on besides FFA, but you learn to dedicate time to your animal.”
For many FFA members, regardless of which chapter they come from, the opportunity to take an animal to the fair would not be possible without the help of their community, and most importantly their advisers.
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
