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FFA County Fair Links Healdsburg's Agrarian Past to the Present

Members of the Future Farmers of America and 4-H Clubs continue a long tradition of agriculture in the Healdsburg area.

This week’s Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair showcases area 4-H and FFA youth as they follow in the footsteps of the farmers who came before them.  With an emphasis on both breeding and market animals, young farmers such learn things as basic genetics to the formulaz for feeding for market-specific weight gain.. 

They also forge a link between the past and present in the area of viticulture through vine judging and pruning competitions.  While the pruning competition was held in January and the vines were judged in mid-May, participants will not know the outcome until the awards presentations at the HFFCF.

From large animals  (dairy and market beef, goats, lambs and swine) to small (cavies, rabbits and poultry), members in both 4-H and FFA must learn how to properly handle and show to the specifications of each beast.

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FFA (Future Farmers of America) is open to students in high school with an agricultural program.  The age range for 4-H membership is more widespread.  Children as young as six can get involved with a limited number of projects and membership is open to those up to 19 years of age.

Beatrice Chambers of Alexander Valley 4-H, and Annelise Jensch, an FFA member at Healdsburg High School, share their efforts in both breeding and market lambs.  On Saturday, they sheared and washed lambs together.

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“This way they always have a backup," said 4-H leader and Chambers' mother, Penny Chambers.

They keep their animals at Carrot Top Farms, owned by Ed Miller.  "Ed uses the dropping for fertilizer in his gardens.”  In this way, animals help the fertility of the soil.

Just as older farmers face the vagaries of weather, predators and veterinary needs, the youngsters must solve these problems, as well.  Sometimes animals, particularly lambs, will die of unknown causes. 

In the Healdsburg area, coyotes are one of the most prevalent predators.

Market animals in the Fair have age, weight and time owned restrictions.  Breeding projects have a different set of criteria.

Healdsburg 4-H rabbit leader, Jane Houser, is excited about the prospects for this year.  Most of the students under her leadership raise breeding rabbits, but her son, Cullen, also raises them for market.

Rabbits are auctioned in pens of three, with precise requirements for age and weight.  Houser, who also raises rabbits for show, states that market rabbits are almost always bred on Valentine’s Day. Since they cannot be over 70 days for market, they try for a close 68 days.

Brothers Clayton and Connor Zimmerman bought their market steers in October from the Jim Dismukes Ranch in Oak Grove.  Until March, the animals were kept in Sebastopol at their grandparents’ farm. The boys worked with them three days a week.

Since then, the animals have been housed at the “Old Campbell barn” on Los Amigos Rd., just outside Healdsburg.  The boys monitor and work with the animals daily, and they pay special attention to their diets.  When these market steers are auctioned, they must weigh over 1000 pounds and per pound payment is topped at 1200 pounds. 

Clayton, at 14, is the youngest member of the Junior Fair Board.  This is a volunteer position, just as the adult member of the regular board volunteer their time.

Campbell is an old, old name in Healdsburg farming, particularly in lamb. Dr. Charles Campbell was a long-time Healdsburg veterinarian.  The C-K (Campbell Kids) brand is favored by local restaurants and is featured in stores.

Last year, Clayton won the “Most Helpful” award, given to an exhibitor who most assists others.  The fact that such an award exists is a testimony to the values farmers pass on to these youthful community members.

Showmanship participation is required, as well. Both large and small animal categories have a round robin showmanship category where each student shows four animals—one of each species.

For market exhibitors the Livestock Auction that will be held at 5:00 pm on Sat., May 28, is the highlight of their season.  This is where they reap the financial rewards of raising a market animal. Healdsburg is know as a generous community, supporting these young farmers with high per-weight bids.

There are also still exhibits, dog handling, horse mastership and garden barrels that 4-H and/or FFA members participate in.

The Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair starts Thurs., May 26, at the end of the Twilight Parade and runs through Sat., May 28.

Complete schedule here.

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