Local Matters




 

 

This week is the Atascosa County Livestock Show held in Pleasanton. I love everything about the show – the pageantry, the showmanship, the love between the youth and their animal, mentoring of the “littles”, the stock show families and the camaraderie. One part of the show that does not get the same amount of attention as the animals in the show ring is the Ag Mechanics Project Show.

I spent all day exploring all the Ag Mechanics projects and interviewing their young creators on Tuesday. These young men and women are simply amazing. There are two primary skills you learn with an Ag Mechanics project – welding and woodwork. I am so pro-trades back in the High School and it is good to know that as far as FFA goes they are offering a great intro into the trade of welding and wood work. Other skills that are required when taking on an Ag Mechanics project are hard work, time management, team work, mathematics, financial budgeting and perseverance just to name a few.

Every year, I am astonished and amazed at the skills and talents on display. While judging of the Ag Mechanics show happened on Tuesday, the projects remain at the Atascosa County Show barn on display until Friday morning. One of the purposes of the Agricultural Project Show is to provide an opportunity for public appreciation of this important phase of the FFA and 4-H youth projects. So please come show your appreciation for their hard work. While there meet some of the most wellmannered youth who are happy to talk to you and share how they created their masterpieces.

For the students that are not taking their projects on to another show, they are offering these beautiful pieces of work for sale. The projects are first-rate. Not just any project makes the show. Projects are judged on:

A. Workmanship – 30 points

B. Design and materials used – 20 points

C. Presentation – 20 points

D. Practicality – 10 points

E. Degree of difficulty – 10 points

F. General appearance and finish – 10 points

Awards will be presented to the First placing project in each class. The top-placing project in each class will compete for the overall Grand and Reserve Champion in Categories used for project placement. Welding: Class 1: Trailer Projects, Class 2: Recreational projects (i.e. smokers, grills, etc.), Class 3: Life improvement projects (log splitters, T-post driver, barbwire roller, etc.), Class 4 Livestock/Wildlife equipment projects (i.e. gates, panels, traps, etc.), Class 5: Automotive access projects (i.e. receiver hitches, grill guards, etc.)

Wood: Class 1: Wood projects (i.e. picnic table, 4ft. planter boxes, etc.), Class 2: Feeder projects (i.e. cattle feeders, etc.), Class 3: Structured projects (i.e. portable building or pens, etc.)

The Atascosa County Livestock Show runs through Saturday culminating with the sale. Please see full schedule on page 3A. Bring your whole family for food, fun, fellowship with friends and neighbors. Support the agri-business industry that is the backbone of Atascosa County.

NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES is the Publisher/Managing Editor of the Pleasanton Express. You may reach her at nwilkersonholmes@pleasantonexpress.com.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *