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Students show commitment

In 1947, the tradition of celebrating National FFA Week began. It is meant to be in honor of George Washington’s birthday, celebrating his legacy as a farmer, and serves to promote high school agriculture.

In keeping with honoring these Future Farmers of America and their accomplishments, it is worth noting that many Fairmont High School FFA students have recently done very well with their Supervised Agriculture Experiences at the regional level.

The following students all placed at First, Second and Third Gold and will move on to the state level in March: Reilly Hoefker, Justin Schwieger, Lance Becker, Camren Saxton, Andrew Moeller and Jazlyn Meyer. Two of these students shared some information about their projects, and what their experiences with FFA have been like.

Saxton, a junior, was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from the National FFA Foundation. That is an impressive feat on its own merits, but even more impressive is that this is his second time winning the grant.

“Earning the National FFA Grant twice has been a huge honor for me,” Saxton said. “I am especially honored because this year there were 2,541 applications and only 145 people actually received a grant throughout the whole country. Receiving the grants has let me know that I am doing a good job maintaining and taking care of my herd.”

Saxton is the son of Calvin and Jody Saxton of rural Granada, and maintains his own cow herd. He has been at it for a long time, having begun in the second grade.

“I currently have 25 cows,” he said. “I started with two heifers that my parents bought for me to show and I continue to grow my project. My cows are kept at my parent’s farm where we have pasture and a building.”

From there, Saxton is able to maintain all the operations necessary to take care of his herd. From breeding, to calving and administering vaccinations, he stays busy.

“Throughout the year I am responsible for my cattle: I feed, bed, haul manure, vaccinate, move cattle, and do anything else that needs to be done. The best part of the year is February through March, when calves are being born and I get to see what I have been working for all year.”

Saxton says he is appreciative of the values he has learned through the years, and is grateful for the support he receives from those around him.

“Maintaining my herd has really put me out into the ‘real world,’ having to make management and financial decisions,” he said. “It has also helped me learn the value of hard work and dedication, and the difference that it can make it in being successful.”

“My parents have been really supportive in helping me with my herd, and they help me out especially during school when I can’t be home or when I have other activities. Some of my friends and other adults seemed surprised that I can maintain an operation this big, but I do receive a lot of help from my parents. [Fairmont FFA adviser Amber] Seibert has also been very helpful in introducing me to these grants and other awards that I can receive from my operation.

Another junior, Meyer is also an active member of FFA, as well as 4-H. Meyer has been raising, breeding and showing rabbits since 2008.

“My main breed is the Holland Lop, which is a small lop-eared breed that averages about 3 pounds,” Meyer said. “I also raise Jersey woolies on the side and Californians, which I use for meat production. I am solely responsible for the care and productivity of my Rabbitry.”

She says her goal is to breed her rabbits to fit the standard set by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Meyer notes that her work also involves quite a bit of travel.

“I also attend rabbit shows held throughout the state and sometimes the country. I usually attend about 40 shows a year throughout the country, taking me as close as Austin, Minnesota, and all the way to San Diego, California, for National Convention. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to produce some of the best quality show stock as a youth breeder in the nation with my Holland lops, currently ranking me as the No. 4 best youth breeder.”

When asked about the amount of work it takes, Meyer shared what her schedule is like.

“On a busy school day, I usually spend about two hours in the rabbit barn caring and handling my rabbits, but on weekends I find myself spending nearly the entire day working with them. I currently own roughly 60 rabbits but as I begin to get spring litters, I can reach upward to 80 or more rabbits. I strive to have at least one litter at all times although rabbits don’t always ‘breed like rabbits.'”

“As far as FFA goes, I show my rabbits every year at the Martin County Fair and represent the Fairmont FFA chapter. I filled out the Proficiency Award Application for Small Animal Care and Production earlier this month, and placed first in my category sending me to state.

According to Meyer, a Proficiency Award can be earned by any FFA member who has filled out the application for a certain SAE area. It involves documentation of all hours spent, expenses and incomes, all data on livestock and then general information on what exactly a students dos, what their goals are and what kind of things they face.

“I spent the entire year of 2016 filling out this application and will continue adding to it for further years,” Meyer said. “I also competed in the Small Animals Judging Team this year, which involved having knowledge about dogs, cats, tropical fish, birds, rabbits, and parasites, as well as knowing diseases. Our team finished 7th in our region, and in the past I also competed on the Horse Evaluation Judging Team.”

Meyer said her family has always been supportive of her and her hobby.

“They love to learn and watch me succeed. Even my dad, who wasn’t as fond of the rabbits right away has a soft spot for them. Quite honestly I wouldn’t be as successful with my rabbits as I am today if it weren’t for my loving family and friends.”

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