The 30th annual Spring Branch FFA Livestock Project Show & Sale, held Feb. 7-9, topped all records with Live Auction sales of more than $200,000 and a record number of buyers, estimated at about 100 individuals and groups.

The popular Children’s Barnyard Ag Adventure was seen by about 1,000 children this year. Top auction prices paid were $5,000 for the FFA chapter hog, bought by program supporter Joe Yarbrough, and $7,000 for the scholarship quilt from the RSMIS Foundation.

FFA advisors and agricultural science teachers Laurie Ledbetter and Sheridan Clinkscales both said that all their students won big. “I couldn’t imagine teaching a more dedicated, unselfish group of students,” she said. “They are the epitome of FFA. They know that it is not about winning or losing, but about the camaraderie they have built with their classmates.

“Some win here, some don’t, but they all help each other and go home friends. They have all grown as individuals and leaders. I could not be more proud of each of them.”

Lesli Evans and Grand Champion Steer

For Clinkscales, one of the best moments was watching her students teach young children about agriculture during the Children’s Barnyard. “Their support, teamwork and camaraderie are the most impressive outcomes of the Show & Sale Project,” she said. The agricultural science program is taught through The Guthrie Center, the district’s technical and career education center.

FFA Project Show & Sale results include the following first-place student winners, their home campuses, and buyers: Grand Champion Steer, Lesli Evans, Cornerstone Academy, Metro National; Grand Champion Swine, Helen Herman, Stratford High, Margaret West; Grand Champion Lamb, Cody Matecki, Spring Woods High, RSMIS Foundation; Grand Champion Goat, Bria Cardenas, Spring Woods High, Kent Systems-Electric & Home Entertainment; Grand Champion Broilers, Paige Pesl, Memorial High, Cox & Perkins; Grand Champion Rabbits, Cody Matecki, Spring Woods High, Craig & Heidt Inc.; Grand Champion Turkey, Jake Garnier, Stratford High, Polar Air; and Grand Champion Horticulture, Emily Minnis, Westchester Academy, Cowboy Trucking.

Danielle Garnier & Teresa Kosmoski

Several students earned second-place ribbons and awards for their projects. They are: Reserve Champion Steer, Danielle Garnier, Stratford High, Polar Air; Reserve Champion Swine, Taylor Maanao, Stratford High, Greg and Sonya Garnier; Reserve Champion Lamb, Kelly Tucker, Stratford High, RSMIS Foundation; Reserve Champion Goat, Travis Evans, Stratford High, Big Texas Dance Hall & Saloon; Reserve Champion Broilers, Danielle Garnier, Stratford High, PBK; Reserve Champion Rabbits, Lauren Arthur, Stratford High, Margaret West; Reserve Champion Turkeys, Paige Pesl, Memorial High, Cox & Perkins; and Reserve Champion Horticulture, Ashley Davis, Stratford High, RSMIS Foundation.

The RSMIS Foundation bought the scholarship quilt. Proceeds will be distributed through the FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund. Since 2001, the FFA Livestock Project Show & Sale has increased its auction sale results from $39,000 to more than $200,000, supporters report.

posted 02-14-08