Written by by Ann Glasscock – The Brown County Youth Fair is just around the corner, and with it many lessons are learned from the stock show life! Stock show kids are constantly learning and growing. They have the drive to succeed and the ability to fail and persevere. Many lessons are learned in the barn from responsibility, to confidence and time management.

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Hayden Barker who will be showing his last year in the upcoming Brown County Fairs says, “I feel that over the years stock showing has played an important part in my life. It has taught me many life lessons and how to handle certain situations. The stock life means to me that you should always put your best effort into everything and try your absolute best to do well. This is Hayden’s senior year and he reports, “Just like with many ‘lasts’ coming up for my senior year I will definitely miss stock shows and all the memories and opportunities that come with them.”

Stock show kids wake up early, feed their livestock, and stay up late to work with their animals. They know that in order to win, not only in the show ring but in life they must put in hard work. Hundreds of hours are put in at the show barn in grooming, feeding, exercising, and practice showing. Often these kids are not only involved in 4-H and FFA organizations  but they are involved in sports and extra-curricular school activities as well.

Time management skills are learned to meet deadlines. They have to be responsible to take care of their projects whether it be an animal or home economics like canning, baking, arts and crafts or sewing. Stock show kids gain the confidence to tackle any situation whether they win or loose. Confidence is learned in the ring with improvements in showmanship. Self confidence can be a key to being an effective leader and it is definitely needed to step into the ring and be judged for the animal you raised and your showmanship skills. Many lessons learned along the way lead to strength and confidence and many friendships are developed in the show barn.

These friends and family members become a strong support system whether it is a hug or high five for a job well done or a shoulder to cry on when things don’t go your way. Nothing else in the world compares to the bonding time a family spends during stock show season. The whole family can be involved and support one another, and everyone else you show with ends up becoming a part of your show family as well.

These projects give kids purpose and instill good values. Time is spent getting to know each animal and developing a rapport with the animal. The Brown County Fair is helping youth along the way to participate at local and state shows as well as go onto college and excel.

Alex Hetzel the 2016 Miss Brown County Fair Association reports, “The youth fair money I received was always saved for the next year. Saving up premium sale money allowed me to buy better quality animals each year. When I graduated, premium sale money along with the Miss Brown County scholarship money received, paid for most of my first semester at Texas Tech University, for which I am extremely grateful.”

There are many individuals and businesses who contribute to premium money and make a difference for the youth of our community. Tara Glasscock the reigning Miss Brown County Fair Association Queen reports the money earned and the opportunity given to participate in the Brown County Fair has made her a better person. She is learning to give back as the reigning youth fair queen to the Brown County Community who has given her so much through the opportunities provided at the youth fair.

The Brown County Fair Association is looking forward to the community coming out starting Monday January 8th. The breeding animal shows kick off the fair on Tuesday January the 9th along with the rabbit show and the ag mechanics show. Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. come out to the runway show at the home ec building and the announcement of the first Junior Miss and Princess.

The youth fair finishes up Saturday January 13th at 3 p.m. with announcement of the 2018 Miss Brown County Fair Association Queen at the awards and premium auction.