Orange County Fair 2017

Farm, Fresh, Fun. The 2017 summer was a great experience for all of the Buena Park FFA livestock students. All their preparation throughout the school year finally paid off at the OC Fair livestock ring from July 13 - 23rd. This year Buena Park students raised steers, pigs, lambs, goats, rabbits and turkeys.  Many students have been raising their projects for over 9 months; cleaning, feeding and taking care of them.  For many, it was their first time raising an animal and for others, their last time in the showring.

Fair kicked off on Friday, July 14, 2017 for the sheep and goat participants. The FFA members showing their goats placed in the top two in the respective classes and received 3rd place for Chapter Group. All 12 FFA members in the sheep group placed within the top 5 of their classes and 7 of them advanced to the final round to compete for FFA Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Edwin Madrid received FFA Grand Champion Market Lamb & Reserve Supreme Market Lamb.  Danyel Wickoff received FFA Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb.​  Buena Park FFA Chapter received 1st Place for Chapter Group for Market Lambs.

​FFA members from the goat and sheep groups participated in the showmanship competition that occurred on Saturday, July 15th. In showmanship, students are judged on their capability of presenting their livestock projects in the best way; showing muscle, structure and balance in the animal.  Isabel Trout received 7th place in Advanced Showmanship for​ Goats. Kelly Cottledge and Tanner Coombs progressed to the final round for novice showmanship. Kelly Cottledge received 3rd place in Novice Showmanship and Tanner Coombs received 5th place in Novice Showmanship for sheep.  Danyel Wickoff also made it to the final round of advanced showmanship and received 3rd place.

Small livestock projects were also shown at the Orange County Fair during that weekend.  On Saturday, July 15th, Paulina Cortez represented Buena Park FFA with her market tom turkey. Paulina Cortez showed the qualities of her tom to the judge and received 4th place for her market weight class.  On Sunday, July 16th, five FFA members participated in the market rabbit judging competition showing off their meat pens (group of three rabbits). All members did a great job showing their pens and Jessica Mendez advanced to the grand champion round receiving 3rd place.

Beef projects were shown on Sunday, July 16th.  Danyel Wickoff and Andrew Wickoff represented Buena Park FFA with their two steers, Moose and Curly.  Danyel and Andrew both received third place within their market classes.  Danyel moved to the final round for advanced showmanship and received seventh place.

The FFA swine team showed their pigs for market judging on Wednesday, July 19th.  All members within the swine team did an exceptional job showcasing their swine projects within their market classes.  Many students placed in the top three for their market classes.  Edwin Madrid received FFA Grand Champion Market Hog & Reserved Supreme Champion Market Hog. Buena Park Chapter received 1st place for Chapter Group.  FFA members showed their showmanship skills on Thursday, July 20th.  Out of the 17 students that showed for Buena Park swine team, 15 of them were in the final round for showmanship​. ​​In novice showmanship Jessie Briseno placed 9th, ​Audori Scott received 7th,  ​​Brenda Martinez placed 6th​, Sierra Perkins placed 5th, & Brandon Deras placed 4th. ​In advanced showmanship ​Edwin Madrid received 12​th, Lilliann Meek 11th , Alex Aguilar  8th, Gabriel Berry 6th​ & Brian Velazquez placed ​2nd.

Overall the Orange County Fair was a success for the Buena Park FFA program this year! Students and advisors had a great time showcasing the student projects that they worked so hard on for multiple months.  If you are interested in knowing more about the Buena Park FFA chapter or want to stay connected with events, please go to www.BuenaParkFFA.com or follow us out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @BuenaParkFFA.