Everyone is Invited to the Bowie County Project Show

Where all can bid on champions, raised by Local FFA
by Dr. Robin Rogers

Brayden Eaves, Kynleigh Branson, Abby McClure & Alyson Dodson all Simms FFA

Not all kids spend their free time with game remotes glued to their hands or phones on, scrolling social media. Some students couldn’t care less about athletics or dance or even computers, yet every single day, rain or shine, they are engaged in activities that include fresh air, friendships, and learning opportunities in the agricultural world that set them up for the future, while instilling life lessons that other people may never learn.

Who are these kids, you might ask? 

Hollyn Tutt & Morgan McClure Simms FFA

Up at dawn feeding their animals, walking the pigs after school, cleaning pens, bathing their cows and goats, trimming hair, and working with animals that belong to them, these are area students who come from farm families, or are taking agriculture classes at school, or who are hooked in to 4-H with local AG extension agents. Like parents of new babies, the kids who take on farm animals to raise and show completely understand the responsibilities of feeding, watering, grooming, vetting, and nurturing. These are life skills that most people don’t get until they actually become parents.  Occasionally, an animal dies, and another of life’s lessons appears before these young handlers.

Ella Johnson Bowie Co 4H

In addition to the daily functions that keep their animals alive, students learn valuable skills and lessons in 4-H and FFA that set them up for college scholarship opportunities and future jobs.While some of the AG students only work with animals, there are others who enjoy welding and designing and making very elaborate projects to show their AG mechanic skills.

Kynzie & Stetson Baldwin Bowie Co 4H

Luckily for our area, the Bowie County Project Show, sponsored by Farm Bureau, will be held between February 22-24 at the Four States Fairgrounds, and the community is invited to come out and see exactly what these awesome agriculture and livestock leaders from our area schools are teaching students to make and the animals that students are raising and showing. 

Hollyn Tutt Simms FFA

When 4H and FFA students march their projects into the show ring at the Four States Fairgrounds, it not only allows them the opportunity to compete against other students, but it represents countless hours of hard work and dedication raising their animals and getting them show ready. This year, students will compete in a variety of different events on February 23, including hogs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, steer, and heifers. Students of all ages are going to be on hand to participate, and at the end of the Project Show, there will be an auction where community members can bid on these students’ projects.

Stetson Baldwin Bowie Co 4H, Layne Sanford DeKalb FFA & Karson King Simms FFA

Need a welded hog trailer? There was an excellent hog trailer designed and built for the Project Show last year. Want to buy a goat or a chicken or a steer? The time will be at the end of the show on February 24. Even the Grand Champions are auctioned off to the highest bidders. Of the auctioned money, 90% actually goes back to the student, while 10% goes toward the cost of the show and scholarship funds. Bowie County Farm Bureau is a proud sponsor of the show; they know that agriculture life ingrains lessons in kids from an early age. Farm Bureau also contributes scholarships to local FFA and 4-H students. In addition to Farm Bureau, one group of people, led by Lori Springer, is called Bids 4 Kids. Lori and her committee have set out to raise awareness of these Project Shows, so people will come out and bid on the students’ projects, while bringing awareness to the community. In addition, Bids 4 Kids sells raffle tickets for a side of beef, and they raise funds to go toward scholarships for students who participate in Project Shows for at least two years in school. The goal is to raise as much as they can so they can give more scholarships. “These scholarships aren’t designated to a 4-year university,” Lori said. “If they want to take their scholarship and go do welding or go do trade school, that is great, too,” she said. The main thing the AG teachers, FFA sponsors and 4-H agents want is to support the young people who want to raise animals and show them. “Anytime you can go out and help children develop life skills, you feel good. AG youth programs are important for kids and their futures,” said De Kalb AG teacher Kelly Kinney. “They learn responsibility. They have to get up and feed those animals they wanted every day. They have to take care of them, wash them, keep them trained and exercised. They also have to work their animals, so when they get inside the ring at a show, their animals are gentle and do well. That takes time, patience, and dedication,” he said.

Pictured are all the students participating in this year’s Project Show.

The most important show of the year for all of these students is the Bowie County Project Show that is happening this month (February 22-24) at the Four States Fairgrounds. The public is invited to attend; bring your families and any kids that might be interested in learning about what it takes to raise an animal to show. The Bowie County area has some of the greatest educators and supporters around who will welcome you to their Project Show. And who knows? You might end up going home with something fun that was built in the welding departments or if you are lucky, a grand champion steer! Bring your checkbook!