ROCKWALL, TX – March 29, 2022 — Rockwall’s oldest organization will bring its one-of-a-kind Livestock Show, Agriculture Mechanics Show and Market Sale to the grounds of the Rockwall County Courthouse (1111 E. Yellow Jacket Ln.) on March 30-April 2. The 69th Annual Youth Fair of Rockwall County showcases the hard work and dedication of area youth in the study of agriculture with a Livestock Show, Agriculture Mechanics Show and Market Sale.
Established in 1953, back when Rockwall was mostly rural farmland, the Youth Fair of Rockwall (YFOR) promotes the education, constructive talents and leadership skills of the youth of the community by conducting clinics, training demonstrations, shows and auction sales.
The 2022 Youth Fair marks the second year at the event’s new location outside the Rockwall County Courthouse. In previous years, the fair was held at the Rockwall ISD Agricultural Facility, and many years before that, outside the old Brookshire’s in Rockwall. Michelle Morris, Secretary of the 2021-2022 YFOR Board of Directors who has been involved with the organization for many years, said the location change has thus far been a very positive experience for the program and its youth.
“I think the new location brought a lot of interest,” she said. “We had a lot of people drive by, see the tents set up and were curious to know what was happening.”
Activities of this year’s Youth Fair kick off on Wednesday, March 30 with the Agriculture Mechanics Show at the Rockwall ISD Agriculture Facility located on Riding Club Road. Throughout the year, students of the Rockwall County FFA and 4-H Clubs have a chance to tap into their creative side by fabricating their own metal pieces such as fire pits, chairs and trailers. They then display their handiwork for sale during the fair and for judging during the Ag Mechanics Show, where the top five students in each of the contest’s five divisions earn ribbons.
SHOWTIME!
The highlight of the Rockwall Youth Fair is the Livestock Show and Market Sale, when young people from across the county in 4-H and FFA demonstrate their skills and disciplines in breeding and showing market animals. The Livestock Show consists of the following: Market Rabbits, Market Hogs, Market Goats, Market Lambs, Market Steers, Breeding Rabbits, Breeding Market Goats, Breeding Beef, and Market Broilers. The Market Sale is held immediately after the livestock show and presents an opportunity for the local community to support Rockwall youth involved in agriculture projects. Market animals will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the premiums then utilized by the students to save for college and/or to continue next year with another project. It’s a true win-win for both community members and the kids: buyers bring home quality meat for the dining table while rewarding a young person for a job well done.
The YFOR works together with the Rockwall County Extension Service, Rockwall 4-H Clubs, Rockwall FFA Chapters, and other youth organizations of Rockwall public schools to provide kids with an experience that’s sure to stick with them throughout their life. Through the year-long program, students learn how to properly raise baby farm animals including rabbits, hogs, goats, lambs, steers and sheep. With the assistance of their parents, leaders, county agents, and agriculture teachers, they learn all sorts of valuable life lessons as well as skills in animal science and animal husbandry. From feeding and care for animals to ensure proper growth and health, to washing, drying, clipping and showing their animals, the students put countless hours into the animals they raise. They also learn how to share their knowledge and experience with others and the importance of agriculture in everyone’s daily life.
“The ultimate goal is providing a quality meat product for a potential buyer at the Livestock Show of the Fair,” Morris said.
Morris said for her son Will, now a college grad working in the poultry industry, the YFOR experience taught him many valuable skills and was one of the most rewarding experiences for him growing up. Will participated in the program from the third grade through his senior year of high school.
“Last year he came back to the Youth Fair and bought a pen of chickens,” she said. “So he ended up giving back to a program that had been a huge part of his high school experience.”
The YFOR is open to all Rockwall ISD students, FFA members and Rockwall County 4-H members who have not yet graduated with high school degrees or a GED. For more information visit rockwallyouthfair.net.
By Austin Wells. Photos by Shutter Junkies Retrograde Photography.
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