Defining Their Future

Enter The Next Generation: Central Texas Youth Fair Youth supports livestock projects for the past 94 years; featuring the area’s young exhibitors in the arenas

CLIFTON – For the many young exhibitors, months of preparation went into entering the show area of the 94th Central Texas Youth Fair in Clifton June 4-8 with their animal in tow. Early morning and late evening feeding, every day grooming, daily training, practicing showmanship; grabbing some time here and there for school homework.

His pig’s feet kicked up the dirt, the grooming brush with his name engraved on it in his hand, watching the judge’s every change of position, the misters and the evening breeze bringing some much-needed cool air to the arena filled with spectators and other participants.

Walking with a smooth stride, grunting happily with his nose in the air the hog showed off healthy, shiny skin, his broad shoulders, broad butt, long back – meaning lots of bacon. This pig was the complete package. And he was raised by Iredell’s Monroe family.

The 94th Central Texas Youth Fair was a very successful show for the Monroe family – because yes, showing livestock is a committed family endeavor. Four of the 10 pigs shown by 10-year-old Jagger in the market swine arena won first place. One was his younger brother Jett’s pigs went on to win Overall Grand Champion out of the 41 hogs entered in the market show. And Jagger won overall Reserve Champion as well.

Because he is only five, Jett could not show his pig in the market show, but he did win a buckle and prize money in the Jackpot show on Wednesday. In that show and the breeder show the young men showed a multitude of pigs, dominating the competition.

The younger siblings are no stranger to livestock shows, as they have to tag along with the family. They get to help groom, play in the dirt, snooze with the fan on them next to the family’s goat or lamb, play catch and maybe see the path ahead for them too.

The more informal Jackpot shows allow for younger exhibitors, and exhibitors from out of county to present their livestock projects. And this year’s jackpot shows saw a number of the youngest exhibitors—the next generation – like six-year-old Jett Monroe who would otherwise only be allowed in the PeeWee – second grade and under – non-juried shows. The youngsters – often helped by older siblings in or alongside the arena, giving them tips, helping them present the animal, adjusting its stance – are the next generation of exhibitors.

At the goat jackpot and showmanship show juried by Jimmy Keys, two of the youngest exhibitors were five-year-old Skylar Heiney from Meridian showing her goat Speckeless for the first time, unaided; and fellow five-year-old Carson Windam, aided by his 11-year-old brother Colton, showing Shrimp. Colton gets to choose the theme of the year’s animal names, and he chose seafood. His lamb carried the name Flounder. Last year’s theme was energy drinks.

The Windham’s from Penelope had come to the CTYF in 2023 for the first time and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. They prefer visiting jackpot shows around Central Texas together and spending time in the barn helping their sons with their animals than seeing them sit behind a tablet all day. Mother Jamie feels they learn so much when tending to and showing livestock.

Over at the market lamb show, 10-year-old Calan Pruitt from Abbott called suggestions out to his two-year younger brother Caden in the ring with a Medium Wool lamb. Their dad feels the CTYF is a good practice show, “good to get their feet wet showing.”

“Showmanship is all about understanding what the judge wants; presenting the animal at its best angle,” Jackpot goat Judge Jimmy Keys said. “The youth learn by doing, and I love seeing this quality.”

Being part of the Texas Future Farmers of America agricultural education with its slogan “cultivate,” many exhibitors are part of a dynamic youth organization making a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

Research shows that Texas FFA students are more confident, better prepared and continue their leadership into the college experience and the more semesters of agricultural education in high school, the higher graduation rate in college than other students. Many local exhibitors over the years went on to study Pasture Management, Ag Communications to become ranch managers, hay suppliers, breeders, and part of ag-related businesses.

The other main organization helping youth gain valuable life-skills through hands-on activities taught and supported by caring adult volunteers and Extension Agents since 1908, in Texas is Four-H. Texas 4-H is a club for kids and teens in grades 3-12. As the largest youth development program in Texas, reaching more than 550,000 youth each year, to become better individuals

Texas has the largest number of 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the nation. And with each lamb, broiler and steer, youth learn invaluable life lessons and skills, like commitment, responsibility and time management. And not to forget raising livestock creates a strong work ethic, because heat or rain, the animals need taking care of.

All this sets the youth up for success in the future. Passions discovered, friendships across county lines forged and engaging in quality family time, traditions upheld, learning how to win humbly and how to lose courageously and ultimately these things define their future.

“They are the next generation of agricultural leaders who will provide solutions to the challenges of a growing population,” Texas AgriLife Extension Service Youth Livestock and Ag specialist and assistant professor Billy Zanolini said when he judged at the CTYF. “They know how to start a project, do all the work in between and finish it. There is no sitting around and being lazy.”

It is important to recognize that the size of the animal does not have any effect on the value of the project for the young person to develop character. A youth will learn the same things and have the same opportunity to exercise character with a rabbit as with a steer project. A trend in the past 10 years is the increasing sales in goats, rabbits and cakes. These categories have the highest yield – not in total sales, but pound for pound.

Home Economics is another division at the CTYF that is open to those not showing livestock. Its wide variety of divisions had 39 exhibitors bring in 451 items to be judged, ranging from art, photography, sewing and textiles, crafts, canned goods, horticulture and baked goods.

At this year’s CTYF, there were 43 cakes entered in competition. Clifton’s Ellie King, who also showed goats received the Grand Champion title for “Banty’s Buttermilk Pound Cake,” with Hayden Cummings receiving Reserve Champion for his “Cherry Cheesecake Chocolate Bundt Cake,” which sold for $525 at the Saturday auction.

In the 2024 CTYF meat rabbits, Paisley Austin from Bosque 4H produced the Grand Champion pen, with Katie King as Reserve Champion going to Katie King from Clifton FFA. Brenna Bertelsen from Clifton FFA had the Grand Champion pen of broilers.

Sprinting out the starting blocks of his livestock showing career last year was Jagger Monroe from Iredell, winning Grand Champion Overall and Junior Showmanship in the pig arena, and Junior Showmanship in the goat ring. He showed an ability beyond his years of keeping in the judge’s line of sight, controlling his happy hogs and showing them to their best advantage. Senior Showmanship went to Mason Lane.

Of course, winning the purple Champion ribbon or championship buckle at a livestock show is important to the exhibitors, on a competitive level. But showmanship is the one thing nobody else or money can influence. There is no perfect animal, and even when it’s being less cooperative on show day, it’s the exhibitor staying cool, calm and collected that shows their animal to its best advantage.

“Getting the job done as efficiently as possible,” Jackpot hog show judge Connor Hardy from College Station said. “I want to see confidence and patience, natural authority.”

Now 10 years old, Jagger went on to win Reserve Junior Showman at the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Champion Junior Showman at San Angelo this year.

Intent on becoming the CTYF 2024 Overall Point Winner, Jagger entered broilers, a goat, a cake and Home Economics projects besides showing his beloved pigs; all to amass more points in total. He won Reserve Champion in the broiler category, winning fourth place with his goat and cinnamon roll Bundt cake.

It was clear, with the amount of parents helping with weigh-in, assisting with the grooming, cleaning up some droppings, supplying some water before the show, adjusting that hair ribbon and tucking in that starched shirt, that showing livestock is all about a family commitment.

“Showing livestock is very much a family affair,” Bosque County Extension Agent Chelsea Dorward said. “Good support is absolutely necessary for success.”

At the steer arena for example, two Thiele siblings and parents are there to help Heather Thiele show her two steers. Sister Erin was taking photographs, Kaitlyn was helping out recording the judge’s picks and handing out ribbons. Dad Ben and mother Lou Ann helped prep the bovines and receive the ribbons. Valley Mills FFA-er Heather won Reserve Champion European and Junior Showmanship.

Meridian FFA’s Alex Rodriguez won Overall Grand Champion with his Bosque County born and raised 1250-pound American breed ster. Clifton FFA’s Jayestin Smith was Reserve Overall with his 1000-pound British.

A Texas Tech University study aimed at validating the perceived benefits of competitive youth livestock exhibition produced a number of surprises. The most common benefit people mention about livestock exhibition is the responsibility a “stock show kid” gains from raising and showing an animal. It was not the strongest theme to emerge in the study though – it was the social relationships.

Character was the second theme to emerge in the study – responsibility, confidence, sportsmanship, and how to deal with loss, promoting personal growth and building character.

The animals rely on a caretaker to provide them with the proper nutrition and daily care. Caring for show animals teaches the importance of consistency and attention to detail. Youth provide their livestock with the exact amount of feed, exercise, and grooming to ensure they are looking their best.

The comradery with all involved in the fair makes for many memorable moments, as does watching the youth’s progress over the years

Even though winning in larger stock shows like Fort Worth and Houston has its merits, participating at the CTYF show has added value. Anyone will tell you, the major shows are overwhelmingly big, and in a blink of an eye, without any explanation, your hog or steer that you have pampered and worked with for months was not deemed good enough for the sale ring during pre-selection.

At a county show, most judges explain what they see in the show animals – the things that catch their eye in a positive way, and explain things that might need improving. The youth gain ring experience in a smaller more informal setting, surrounded by encouraging family and friends, and supportive fellow FFA chapter members, priming them for bigger shows.

Market Lamb and Goat Judge Kurt Henry from Mineral Wells charged the senior exhibitors to show the younger exhibitors the ropes, and to help them. “You have to invest in these kids’ programs,” Henry said. “Don’t keep all that knowledge to yourself; give it back by sharing it to the next generation of exhibitors.”

In the market goat arena, Autumn Lane won Overall Grand Champion, with Colt Gregory in Reserve. Jasmin Brown won Senior Showmanship. In the market lamb arena, Valley Mills FFA’s Colt Gregory won Grand Champion Overall, with Taylor Ivy – also Valley Mills FFA -- as Reserve. Meridian FFA’s Adam Villareal won Junior Showmanship with Bosque 4H’s Jackson Roscher winning Senior Showmanship.

For 2023 seniors Elise Garza and Gracie Kessler, their times showing at livestock shows supplied them with a lifetime of fond memories and great stories. But they have not giving up on being close to the arena. This year, they could be seen mentoring the next generation of local exhibitors, giving them emotional and practical support, helping them with grooming and handling tips, calming their nerves before their ring appearances. Gracie additionally volunteered as superintendent for the Pee-Wee shows.

Born in horse-and-buggy days, town and county fairs gave citizens that lived far apart an opportunity to visit friends and family, trade crops and crafts, and catch up on fellow farmers and livestock breeders. A timeless tradition showcasing a rural way of life, a county show like the Central Texas Youth Fair is important to the community and the CTYF offers a well-rounded county fair, with a wide range of events for county Future Farmers of America and 4-H students to compete in.

Many of the judges at the CTYF are Ag teachers, and see the value in informing the exhibitors what they are judging their animals on, and giving tips on how to improve their project’s prospects in future shows. They also highly value showmanship and record book.

This year’s judges included Kurt Henry for market lamb and goat, Ernie Dominguez for market steer, Steve Conrad and Chris Corby for commercial heifers, Connor Hardy for market, jackpot and breeding swine, Steve Gardner for broilers, and John Terry for meat rabbits. The jackpot judges included Jimmy Key for goats and breeding goats, Vance Christie for lambs and breeding lambs, and Ralph Stokely for steers and heifers.

Several of the judges commented on how they enjoy the CTYF. More often than not, they are impressed by the animals on show in Bosque County, where over the years “quality over quantity” seems to be the motto. There might not be a whole lot of exhibitors – 130 youth could be found on the CTYF grounds over the four fair days this year. But the quality is high, making it a competitive, worthwhile show for the youth to gain invaluable arena time. Pound for pound, it’s as good as it gets.

In her youth, MaryAnn Brandenberger showed Angus steers and heifers throughout the Southwest with her brother. Now as CTYF Secretary and supervisor for several show rings at the fair, she believes a county show is “more democratic,” where youth from less affluent families get a chance to compete. Saving on travel and hotel costs and high entry fees also benefits the local exhibitors.

“Major shows are more competitive, and more money is pumped into the projects,” Brandenberger said. “And higher caliber animals are necessary to compete there.”

With that said, the declining exhibitor numbers does not diminish the importance of keeping the show going for the many volunteers clocking countless hours preparing and running for the show. All of them believe it all boils down to the intangible benefits and life lessons the youth learn from raising their livestock projects, and that is worth donating their time and efforts to.

This year was the fair’s 94th event, and each year the board offers improvements and changes to make it a better experience for all involved. According to Bosque County AgriLife Extension Agent Chelsea Dorward, being more removed from agriculture, the increasing cost of buying and raising livestock, the many other extra-curricular options the youth have like athletics and band, and parents unable to help out all play into the decrease in fair entries.

The declining amount of youth showing at CTYF is a concern – with the biggest decline in steer entries – over the years the board added events like the pet show, the crop show, the ag build off and the ag blueprint categories to engage youth that might not normally participate in the fair and give them a chance to show using less start-up resources than other projects.

Morgan FFA had a strong contingent of students in the Ag Mechanics show only; with Veronica Perez and Julia Monroy winning Grand Champion with their rustic outdoor bar project. Claudie Valle, Rdando Monroy, Adriel Rodriguez and Reed Dickey won Reserve Champion for their 20-inch gate.

The CTYF board also included the commercial heifer category -- heifers raised with the end goal of using them as a set of replacement heifers in a beef cattle operaon. Commercial heifers are judged on uniformity, disposion/docility, femininity, body condition and exhibitor showmanship/knowledge on feeding routine, facilities, end goals, breed choice.

This year, a breeder category was added. Krece Greene and Clayton Greene were the only two exhibitors in the commercial heifer ring, with Krece named Grand Champion and Clayton Reserve Champion. At the swine show, the audience got to see gilds from the different breeds, like Berkshire, Yorkshire, Duroc, Cross and Light Other Pure Breeds like Chesters, Landrace and Herefords.

Between events, visitors get to enjoy traditional fair food and refreshing drinks at the concession stand, which was rocking and rolling with quick yet thorough service by die-hard fair volunteers. Local businesses sponsor the exhibitor breakfast and other social events in the fair week.

The actions of all the volunteers, sponsors and supporters keep the spirit of the fair alive. In appreciation for the volunteers’ invaluable service and generosity in giving of their time, guidance or support – monetary or otherwise – each year the fair board spotlights an individual, or group, who have served the fair and the Bosque County community in special and exceptional ways.

Just to name a few honored in the last years: David Bevels, David and Margaret Winkler, Weldon Bartels, the ladies from Nations Bank, Dr. Lloyd and Donna Hampe, Bill Murdoch, Bob and Judy Connely, Gary and Gena Dean Arnolds.

In 2017, the CTYF board – with help of the Bosque County 4-H Club – created a new “Legends of the Fair” memorial area between the show arena and steer barn. The first memorial stone read “In memory of David Bevels, mentor and friend to Bosque County youth.” Future generations will need food and meat and today’s FFA and 4H youth going into agriculture studies or straight into farming and ranching will help provide this.

This year’s CTYF Honorees Gene and Ginger Albrecht invest in the future of the local youth, especially promoting and supporting the youth to become future farmers and ranchers for the county, state, and country. Both hailing from Bosque County, the Albrechts moved back to Clifton after graduating from the University of Houston and purchased Clifton’s major pharmacy in 1972.

Since then, the couple have attended the Saturday sale buying different animals and welding projects in support of the exhibiting youth. The Albrechts are part of a loyal and steady group of generous businesses, youth support groups and individuals that buy the animals outright or add-on money to a sale.

An animal’s market value is often far below the amount the livestock make on sale day. Jagger’s Overall Grand Champion for example sold for $5,000 with a $20,000 add-on from a supporting business. Buyers know this, and it is their way to support the youth in their livestock projects and the many intangible advantages raising and showing livestock provides for the youth. These community members see the value in this.

According to a 2022 article by Addie Broyles for the Texas Association of Counties, county fairs contribute about $70 million per year to the youths and families who participate. And traditionally, the CTYF offers several different scholarships supporting youth in their continued education after high school.

Most of the time in Bosque County, the exhibitors know their buyer, and go up to them during the sale day, shake their hand, and thank them for buying their project. The money raised often goes into a scholarship fund or is used to finance the next livestock project.

And so, the Central Texas Youth Fair circle continues to turn, as the seniors go off to college or careers, and welcoming the next generation of exhibitors stepping into the ring.

Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS