The Fluvanna FFA (Future Farmers of America) made a strong showing at the Fluvanna County Fair on Aug. 14-16 at Pleasant Grove. Three club showmen presented livestock for judging at the fair, including Bridgette Thomson, Alex Swingle, and Riley Gordon, who entered three bantam chickens, two cochins, and a sultan. All were raised in the FCHS chicken coop. Thomson also entered a dairy goat. 

Agriculture teacher Russell Jennings, who runs the club, said it was a great opportunity for the FFA students to show off the projects they’d been working on, further improve them, and receive feedback from industry professionals. Members were also able to earn premiums for new projects in the future, such as raising livestock and addressing community needs. 

Gordon’s sultan chicken received fourth in showmanship and first in breed class. The first cochin chicken, Swingle’s bird, placed third in both classes, and the second cochin chicken, Thomson’s bird, received 1st in showmanship, 2nd in breed, and 3rd in costume, earning a champion bucket. Thomson’s goat received three firsts in wet doe, showmanship, and doe overall, earning a champion bucket.

The members further participated in an educational poster and “skillathon” in animal knowledge, earning third in both categories. They will move on to competing at the State Fair in late September.

“The judges were really impressed with the members’ knowledge and were excited to see more youth involved,” said Jennings. “FFA really broadens your horizons, and it lets people know that there is more out there than just college for the future,” he added. 

For more information on FFA or to join the club, see Jennings in Room 1415.