Celebrating our Midwest State of Nebraska. We are proud to share their efforts towards investing in the future of our youth and agriculture.
From agupdate.com:
Raising livestock of any kind requires making a substantial financial investment.
Those families who want to show animals through 4-H or FFA at their county fair know the extra expense to purchase and feed an animal, not to mention the equipment and time invested to train and prepare the animal for the show ring.
With the extra financial commitment for families, it’s no wonder that participation in the 4-H and FFA livestock projects continues to dwindle.
The Madison County Livestock Boosters has designed a unique way to lessen the financial burden of showing animals. Youth in 4-H and FFA who exhibit a large or small animal at the Madison County Fair and Rodeo receive a bonus premium, thanks to the fundraising efforts of caring adults and the unwavering support of local businesses and individuals.
Bonus premiums are given for class placings and participation in showmanship, which is a direct reflection of the time and effort an exhibitor has put in before the show.
“Less kids are in production agriculture. Our main purpose is to increase participation in showing animals at the Madison County Fair,” said Troy Patzel, one of the original founders of the Madison County Livestock Boosters program.
Patzel has seen first-hand the decline in livestock numbers at the county and state fair level. He himself showed sheep, hogs and broiler chickens as a member of the Cookies & Critters 4-H Club and Newman Grove FFA at the Madison County Fair in the mid-1980s through the 1990s.