The Jones 4-H and FFA are about to embark on the Grand Finale of this year’s show season in Oklahoma. They will be headed to the Oklahoma Youth Expo also known as the World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds from March 9th through March 20th. Jones had a total of 27 livestock exhibitors this show season with a total of 57 head of livestock to start out the season that comprised of pigs, lambs, goats and cattle. The Oklahoma Youth Expo is free for spectators. Stop by if you have free time before or after the Jones High School Girl’s Basketball Game as you watch the Lady Longhorns make history at the State Fair Arena at 2pm on Thursday. Just like in sports, you must be willing to do the small things daily over an extended period of time to be successful in the show-ring.
The Jones Livestock Show Team has been caring for their animals daily since last fall for pigs and last spring for cattle, goats and lambs. Students have attended show camps during the summer and winter to perfect their showmanship techniques. Sometimes even after all the hours, days and months spent in the barn cleaning pens, feeding, walking, practicing, washing and brushing the results don’t always turn out the way we hoped and strived. That’s what makes this industry tough but rewarding. Sometimes the rewards isn’t in the ribbon won but in the intangible lessons learned, skills gained and friendships made. Even when things don’t always turn out the way we want, the experience itself is never wasted.
The livestock show industry isn’t just about raising great livestock. It’s about using livestock to raise great kids. It’s a tool to teach life skills such as responsibility, work ethic, record keeping, money management, sportsmanship, grit and perseverance. Many people assume that 4-H and FFA is all about animals but there is so much more to both organizations including speech contests, photography, cooking, ag. mechanics, gardening/horticulture, and science just to name a few. Both programs develop life skills through project work and focus on leadership and service learning. If you are interested in learning more about either organization contact Jones 4-H leader, Shelly Ramsey at jones4hclub@gmail.com or Jones FFA Advisor, Kelby Rounsaville at krounsaville@joneshs.k12.ok.us.
The Jones Journal 