Results for the Stanislaus County Fair are in, and Hughson FFA came out once again with top honors and numerous awards. Sixty students exhibited livestock and Rabbit projects this year.

In the Market Goat Show, Tucker Crim exhibited the Reserve Champion Lightweight Meat Goat.

In the Dairy Show, among the three exhibitors, Aiden Damas won Reserve FFA Champion Replacement Jersey Heifer.

In the Livestock Show, after being named FFA Champion Market Hog, Curry competed against the 4H Champion in the Final Drive, winning Supreme Champion Market Hog. “It is Lance's determination and work ethic that allowed him to achieve top honors. He has worked diligently with this pig for several months to ensure the pig was in top shape for the fair. Lance is going to be a sophomore this fall and is also a member of our Livestock Judging Team,” Larson said.

“We had an amazing fair with great success for our students,” FFA Advisor Kelly Larson said.

This year, poultry was banned from the Stanislaus County Fair due to widespread avian flu, but dairy animals were still allowed to be entered. According to FFA Advisor Kristen Maciel many poultry exhibitors chose to show another large species animal, so they would have another project to continue.

Thirty-three exhibitors contributed 528 cut flower entries, 300 nursery plant entries, 550 vegetable entries, and 352 succulent entries. Soleli Crawford received the Best in Show Award for one of her tomato entries. Hughson FFA also received the Ag Horticulture Sweepstakes Award. 

“The county fair is a major event for Hughson FFA.” Typically, nearly 150 students will exhibit a variety of projects, including those in agricultural mechanics, nursery, plants, vegetables, small animals, dairy cattle, and livestock.

“And although Hughson is considered one of the smaller schools in the county, it consistently has the largest group of students participating each year at the fair,” Larson said.

Students compete in a variety of competitions, including showmanship and market. This year, Livestock auction dates took place on Friday, July 18, for steers and July 19 for pigs, lambs, goats, and rabbits. Buyers could either arrive on auction day, register as a buyer, and purchase the animal by bidding live, or buy an animal through a proxy buyer. Buyers then choose between Austin's Meat Service and Ripon, Sanders' Meat Service in Turlock, and Dave's Meat Service in Modesto for processing.

But for students, the fair experience begins well before the gates open. In January, students commit to their projects. From there, their involvement grows.

Those raising livestock will begin in early spring, although some beef and dairy exhibitors will start in the fall. Students will submit paperwork in February to enter heifers into the fair and bring them home to Ray's in March and April. Those students without the space and fencing to raise heifers and other farm animals at home have access to the school farm on Whitmore Avenue to raise their animals. 

Starting in March, the garden club gets rolling for students who plan to show vegetables and nursery plants at the fair.

Then, in July, students take their animals to the fair to exhibit.

“Fair is a very long week for our students,” Larson said. Livestock and small animal exhibitors arrive each morning by 6:30 a.m. and so throughout the week in the heat of the day for many of them.” They must be diligent in keeping their animals cool and comfortable throughout the week as they prepare for the auction. Fair is full of long days, very little sleep, lots of hot weather and most importantly, fun for our students.”

The experience is one of great bonding and memories as students work hard and experience the joy of a job well done. Each night, they dine together with a potluck-style dinner with the help of FFA parents.

Hughson High School’s first-ever Livestock Judging Team won the California State Championship in May of this year. They will be proudly representing Hughson and California at the National Competition in Indiana in October.

To raise money for travel expenses, the Hughson FFA Livestock Team is selling raffle tickets for $30 for the chance to win one whole pig, cut and wrapped. Venmo, cash or checks are accepted. The drawing will take place on August 1. Those interested may contact Mike Curry at 209-216-7248. Proceeds go to support travel for the Hughson FFA Livestock Team’s National Contest.

Jake Harkrader presented awards to the State Champion Livestock Team on July 15 in a special awards event and to FFA students during the annual awards event at the close of the fair on July 19 and 20. During the July 15 Champion Show, special recognition was given to Hughson FFA’s State-winning Livestock Team. At the event, the team was presented with special buckles commemorating their State Champion title and wishing them good luck at the National Finals.

Other Hughson FFA’s awards included:

From the Pig Barn:

Lance Curry- Supreme Champion Market Hog

Lance Curry- Reserve Champion Light Cross

Caden Bowerman- Reserve Champion York

Chloe Cooper- 5th Place True

Novice Swine Showmanship

Kate Cooper- 4th Place Swine Intermediate Showmanship

Caden Bowerman- 5th Place Intermediate Swine Showmanship

Lance Curry- 3rd Place Advanced Swine Showmanship

Bailey Peters- 8th Place Advanced Showmanship

Market Sheep: 

Leigha Neilson - 2nd place Lightweight Whiteface Market Sheep Class

Abbigail Ramsey - 2nd place Heavyweight Whiteface Market Sheep Class

Jonah Martin - 3rd place Lightweight Whiteface Market Sheep Class

Abram Neilson - 3rd place Heavyweight Whiteface Market Sheep Class 

Katelynn Loveland - 3rd place Middleweight Natural Market Sheep Class 

Gia Sanchez - 3rd place Heavyweight Blackface Market Sheep Class 

Rabbits: 

Josiah Landucci - 2nd place Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship 

Averi Bridges - 3rd place Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship 

Market Goats: 

Hughson FFA Chapter Group Market Goats - 2nd place (added this in case Kelly didn’t include the chapter group placing) 

Breeding Goats: 

Makayla Silveira - 2nd place in the top 12 for Advanced Breeding Goat Showmanship

Tucker Crim - Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Doe for Breeding Goat Show