The Muskegon County Youth Fair is coming up. July 20th-25th at the Muskegon County Fairgrounds will be the oldest tradition in community events that we as a nation celebrate collectively. This along with a one day a year visit from the circus was all that American’s had for “large entertainment” options in rural communities at one point back before the 19th turned into the 20th century. While things have changed drastically since then, our reliance on agriculture, farmers and the future of farming….let’s be honest….it’s paramount. Kids and young adults that still participate in developmental agriculture endeavors….they need to be celebrated as much or more than we do the STEM kids…why? WIthout the AG kids, the STEM kids are going hungry.
Christian Rangel and Nobull….get it? No bull? HA! They are competing in the feeder cow competition. Qualifications to show a cow (often called a Finished Market Steer) at a county fair generally require the exhibitor to be an active 4-H or FFA member (usually ages 8 to 19). The animal must be properly identified, tagged, and castrated/dehorned by early spring, with continuous ownership through the fair. There are three specific things that judges look for – 1) Age & Affiliation showman needs to be in a group like FFA. 2) Education & Ethics the showmen needs to display that they are trained and have kept records of the animal. 3) Showmanship how does the showmen present the animal. The animal is then auctioned off.
Here’s the big thing though. Not only are the young people learning all that goes in to the responsibility of raising an animal, we are generally talking about from the moment they are born right up until the fair, they are learning what it is to have a dependent. How much work it is to be responsible for another life. It’s a task that we ask most young people to wait until they are in their mid to late 20’s on in today’s day and age when raising a human. Think about this factor too, raising a human at any age, they will most likely be able to communicate and help eventually, animals…their farmers have to learn it all with no real feedback. There’s another overwhelming aspect too. This is a summer job for kids. It’s also nothing to be looking down your nose at. A cow like Nobull will hopefully bring close to $10,000 for Christian from the fair auction. Yes…you heard right…$10 large. Imagine that when you need a car at his age or are socking away money for college? Add in the scholarships that are available through ag industry partners and more….growing some steaks all of the sudden got a lot more cool to me.
The cattle program is the Tuesday of the fair, I did catch Christian on that one, hey….he’s busy prepping and getting ready for the show, but the day on the farm was awesome and to meet the gentle, but a little nervous Nobull was super cool. Coming soon, Christian’s brother….and a pretty lucky goat!
To learn more about the Muskegon County Youth Fair and get tickets to any of the grandstand shows, CLICK HERE or on the image below.
