This article is coming from the heart. This is the week of the Webster Parish Fair. Most people don’t know that the fair is not only the rides and carnival. The 4-H and, this year the FFA, kids have worked really hard with their animals all summer and spring to get to this week. Raising and showing animals is not as easy as it looks. The animals have to be fed every day and cleaned up around the pens. By the way, someone had to build the pens, teach the kids, provide the system to keep water clean and fresh, and help purchase the livestock to begin with.
I had the honor and privilege to be a 4-H member. It was just a part of life in my family. My dad had been raised in the 4-H program, and I grew up knowing and not questioning the fact that I would be a member at 9 years old. My great-grandfather was the very first state 4-H director. I had two agents in my 4-H career. Mr. Jordon at DeSoto Parish and Mr. Buddy Thomas in Webster Parish. They were wonderful role models to look up to. I was also told in front of these men, that I had to behave just like I was supposed to or suffer the consequences both with them and my parents. I never did test them. 4-H is part of the reason I am in the feed store business at all. I was hired in 1981 because of my 4-H background.
Back to the 2026 fair, there will be a lot of first time kids. Our program is trying to come back from a few years of non participants. We have pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, chickens and rabbits. All of these entries have been worked with and loved. Kids get attached to their animals and really do hate to see them go at the sale. Why don’t our readers try to come and see the shows and see what happens? The pig show is usually the most fun to watch with a lot of squealing going on, not only the pigs but the kids, too.
Friday the livestock sale is at 1 p.m. The kids will get the rewards of all of the hard work that was put in. You don’t have to buy, but watching is great fun. I’ll be there watching my 3 grandchildren, Hadley, Harper, and Duke for their first show and sale. My sister’s grandchild is showing also. I just hope they enjoy it as much as we did. It’s a family tradition!
(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)