UPPER LAKE >> A strong desire to assume responsibility early on in life goads numerous students at Upper Lake High School to immerse themselves in FFA's livestock programs as they put finishing touches on their animal projects preparing for the Lake County Fair.
This year's fair happens from August 29 to September 1 at County Fair Grounds, 401 Martin Street Lakeport. For some students they have spent their entire academic career taking care of animals. Tilly Grant, an Upper Lake senior, has raised market chickens for 11 years and the last two years focused on Cornish Rock Cross Chickens, which are known for gaining weight rapidly.
"I don't think any other breed sells so quickly," she said. "I've gone to the Fair since I was little and really wanted to get involved raising animals." This year Tilly is concentrating on Ag Mechanics, using a MIG welder (spool fed wire), fabricating a garden bench as her final year project. Her parents have a workshop at her home in Clover Valley, where she is making a several of gage metal panels cut on a CNC (Computer Numerical Control Machine) with intricate floral patterns she will mount in wooden frames. She is exploring her options about college, perhaps UC Davis or Santa Cruz. I'm mostly interested in botany and they have a good reputation for botany education," she said.
Jimmy Sanchez, a junior is raising a Yorkshire Blue Butt Crossbred Show Pig, Penelope, weighing 233 pounds for the Fair's market auction. "I give her Showman Hog Feed, yet she really likes grapes and strawberries," he said. " She is on weight and has a long back with great muscle to fat ratio. Swine are much easier to raise than other animals, all they need if food, water and attention. It has taught me a lot of life lessons- the responsibility of taking care of her and it helps me with public speaking and presenting myself."
Sofia Cruz raises a Boer Goat, Blue, on Purina Goat Feed yet he can be picky. "We tried giving him raisin bran cereal, but he loved it," she said. "I walk him in a halter in the streets with other goats and does that much better than walking alone. Sometimes he'll jump up in the air then drop and won't move afterwards. I just like being hands-on with animal and going to my God-parents farm in Kelseyville which got me interested." She is also going to auction off a market swine. Sofia has been taking college level classes since her freshman year and expects to graduate with her Associates of Arts degree. "I want to go to Oregon Tech, she added. "I want to be an ultrasound tech- and some of the best come out of there.
Participating in her third year of FFA is Aubreyana Suzor, raising "Dawg" her market steer which weighs 1,335 pounds. "Dawg loves running and eating," she said. "He loves bathes, loves to be scratched, brushed and loves going on our evening walks." She is also showing a market goat, Mocha, which weighs 45 pounds. "Mocha loves to go on walks, to be held and she loves to play with little kids. I'm currently playing on the volleyball team and plan to play basketball, also, I'm treasurer for our FFA chapter. I plan to use this (auction) money for my future animal projects and for college."
Growing up with animals, this is the third year in FFA for Camila Martin. Her father raised cattle and horses at his parent's ranch in Mexico. Her first year in FFA she served as secretary but is now vice president. When her friends explained how much fun it is to raise an animal she decided to give it a try. Her goat, Honey weighs 56 pounds but needs to gain weight to meet the minimum required. "It's been hard to get her weight up," she confided. "She loves to talk and is fine with other goats, but she is a bit hesitant to make friends with lambs because they're bigger. Besides FFA I'm involved with volleyball and basketball"
At just 14 Magdely Garcia is a sophomore who enjoys playing soccer and basketball as well as being in FFA. She noted she just wanted to try new things and after high school she may go into agriculture or livestock. She too is taking college level mathematics and hopes to graduate with her A.A. degree. Watching many of her friends show animals at prior fairs piqued her interest. "My good friend Rylee raised lambs for eight years and taught me showmanship," she said. I'll show Magnolia (140-pound lamb), but you must have complete control in the arena. She's a bottle baby so, she's really friendly. I like taking her on walks, it is really therapeutic."
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