Education Ranch

The South Dakota State Fair just got over and what a time it was.  I always enjoy going to the Fair, even when it was going through it’s “tough” years.  It seemed like attendance was up this year and the weather was pretty good for anyone who just wanted to come walk around.  But what I really love about the Fair are the fellow South Dakotans that you get to meet and talk with for that time.  In my opinion, there are no better people anywhere than in South Dakota. 

 The State Fair was a busy one this year.  I had a few of my FFA students showing some of their prize livestock down in Huron.  It seemed like their was always a show going on for them, especially if they were showing more than one species.  I was lucky enough to be able to help with the FFA shows at the fair, and it is absolutely amazing to see the skills that kids can learn through showing livestock. 

First patience!  As I watched Caitlin Howard bring her pig into the ring for the championship drive in the FFA show, I knew she was going to have trouble.  The pig was hot and wanted out of the show ring, and it knew where the exit was.  The whole time she was out there, Caitlin’s pig was in the corner trying to go back home.  But even though she was frustrated, she still kept her cool and did the best she could to “show” the pig. 

The greatest thing that I see that the students learn at the State Fair is networking, or making friends as they call it.  I see my students hanging out and having a good time with other kids from the other side of the state.  I know from experience that these friendships will be the strongest ones that they make.  In the future, as they attend college or start a career, they will still have these connections and friendships. 

I didn’t have my camera along at the State Fair, but I’ll try to attach some pictures of my FFA kids showing at the Brown County Fair.  Hopefully it works, I’ve never done it before.

We are starting the year off playing in the dirt.  The Agriculture classes at Groton are preparing for the Land and Range Judging competitions that will begin the middle of September.  The students are doing a great job of learning the characteristics of good soil versus bad soil.  They seem excited this year and are determined to compete for a trip to the National Contest in Oklahoma.  The Ag I class is trying their hand at Range Judging.  This is a new experience for me as well.  Growing up in SE South Dakota, we did not have much range land.  But the kids are catching on fast, a lot faster than me.  They are identifying grasses and plants that grow on the prairie.  Hopefull all will go well and the students will have some fun.  We have our first judging school coming up on September 13 in Gettysburg, then travel to Bowdle on the 18 and finish up with our Region Contest in Roslyn on September 27.  It should be a great time.