FFA,4-H continue to be focal point at county fair

Each year during the Mariposa County Fair, 4-H participants from around the area as well as Mariposa FFA members come together to show to their animals they’ve been raising.

Maggie and Alice Hedden are part of the Don Pedro Rattlers 4-H group.

The seven-year-olds were showing goats at the fair for the third time this year.

“We also have paintings in the fair this year,” the girls said.

Their goats, affectionately known as Brownie and Cherry, have been in the care of the Hedden girls for three months.

“My favorite part of 4-H is working with my goats,” Maggie said.

There are many tasks involved such as providing food, water, walking, bathing, and of course, unlimited petting.

“The hardest part is the water, it’s so heavy,” Maggie said.

Alice explained keeping control of the goat can be hard.

“They don’t listen sometimes,” she said.

“We have to be careful so they don’t run out of the barn.”

Conner Knauf is 13 and he’s part of the Bootjack 49ers 4-H group.

“This is my second year showing, but my first year with pigs,” Knauf said.

“Last year I showed a lamb.”

Knauf’s pig, Hazel, had been with him for about three months before attending the fair.

“I have to clean everything and wash her,” he said.

Knauf explained he likes taking care of animals the most when it comes to being a part of 4-H.

The hardest part is showing the animals as it can be somewhat nerve wracking.

“I have to just try not to think about it,” he said.

Being part of 4-H teaches many skills for life.

“I’ve learned how to be nicer and more respectful to adults,” Knauf said.

“It’s a good way to make some money and learn about animals.”

Hannah Sinclair is part of Hornitos 4-H and has been showing for two years.

This year, she showed her goat named Waffles.

“Taking care of the animals is a lot of responsibility,” she said.

“The hardest part is getting him to walk and to just be good.”

Mitzi Howard has been part of Mariposa FFA for about three years and had not participated in 4-H before joining FFA.

“They didn’t have 4-H where I lived before so it was all new to me,” she said.

“I’ve been showing for two years now.”

Howard brought her rabbits to the fair this year, who were named Johnny and June.

“I’ve just shown rabbits,” she said.

When it comes to FFA, Howard enjoys the people an the community the most.

“It’s so communal and it really just brings people together,” she explained.

“It’s pretty easy for the most part. I just have to worry about keeping the rabbit under control.”

Howard feels confident in speaking with people but she can get ahead of herself at times.

“I really just have to try to slow down,” she said.

“When I’m up there I really just want to get it over with.”

Howard has learned a lot being and FFA member.

“I’ve learned a lot about Ag culture along with responsibility,” she said.

“I’ve learned how to be more confident in leadership roles.”

At 10 years old, Kaden Dewey is in his first year with the Bootjack 49ers.

His swine Piggy Smalls was chosen by Dewey because his uncle used to show pigs.

“The hardest part is getting him in the trailer,” he said.

“Taking care of him is hard work.”

Like many others, Dewey’s favorite part of 4-H is interacting with animals.

“I like being able to take care of animals,” he explained.