Another fantastic year for kids from Fillmore and Bardsdale at the Ventura County Fair and the Junior Livestock Auction. Let's get to it.

Ashleigh Cavey, 19, Bardsdale 4-H Championship market steer.

Ashleigh's winning record of championships or reserve grand championships extends to the past six years. The record includes awarded 4-H supreme grand champion breeding heifer two years ago and awarded 4-H steer reserve grand champion last year. This year again awarded 4-H Champion Market steer. The hoofbeat continues.

The winning steer's name is Chunk. Why? “Because when I first got him,” said Ashleigh, “he was chunky... always a little fatty so I figured the name Chunk fit him best.” From my perspective, weighing 1,342 pounds, a better name would be Huge! But I digress. Chunk's diet? “Oh, he ate a lot,” she said. Surprise... not!

How was Ashleigh's experience raising Chunk? “Really good, we traveled a lot around California where I entered him in six shows. I like to travel,” added Ashleigh, “and so does Chunk.” Obviously Chunk traveled around California without a beef. Hmmm.

Ashleigh's next goal?” I just want to keep on going to school because I want to be a large animal vet. I am presently attending Reedly College studying animal science. I intend to transfer Fresno State and once I finish there I'll decide on what vet school I'm going to attend. A year and half at Reedly, two years at Fresno State and another year or so at vet school, so it's a long process to a become a large animal vet but it's something I love.”

Chunk spent his days lounging and foraging up in Lockwood Valley because that's where Ashleigh's grandparents have a ranch. I'll bet Chunk was spoiled. “I walked Chunk frequently, constantly washed and groomed him and applied a special conditioner on his skin to make his coat nice and shiny... he was definitely a pampered steer, that's for sure.” I guessed right.

Ashleigh's high bidder paid $7.00 per pound for Chunk.

Note that Fillmore FFA took both top honors in the rabbit category! First time, I think.

Carolina Lopez, 13, Fillmore FFA, Grand Champion market rabbits.

Their names? “I call them the Trio,” said Carolina with a grin. She had good reason to smile... the Trio fetched Carolina $1,100. For those of you who diligently follow the Junior Livestock Auction, the Trio is a first for Fillmore. She broke the glass ceiling to which Carolina said, “Yes, I did, I know, and I feel so great.”
What's it like to raise market rabbits? “Really easy”, she quickly answered, adding “I think.” The only thing you need to worry about is making sure that they are happy and healthy. “That was one of the big things for me.” How does one make a rabbit happy or even tell when a rabbit is happy. “They come up to you and they want to be petted,” was her quick response with a chuckle. Really?.. I exclaimed. “Yes, they are by nature happy animals... they're almost like dogs.”

But you can't train rabbits like dogs, I boasted. “Actually you can,” said Carolina. Ahem, you can train a rabbit? “Yes, you can potty train them, teach them to jump really high. Yeah, I once had a pet rabbit and I potty trained it, taught it to come to you, yeah, it was really nice,” Carolina proclaimed. I was sure that Carolina was pulling my leg... so to speak. “No, I'm serious” she insisted. I stand corrected.

Next year? “Next year I hope to continue my breeding school project for 4-H'ers or any other small clubs or Fillmore FFA that way they can continue to raise market rabbits for the Fair, or just in general. So, you're going to become a rabbit breeder? “Yes, technically I am already but I want to expand further.”

From where did the rabbits come? “At first we got them from an old friend and they were mixed rabbits so we kind of worked with them. And then we purchased pure-bred California rabbits from a breeder. They worked really well for us. They got so big so quickly.” So they were special rabbits to begin with, I assumed. “Yes, but we stopped using those because we didn't want to mix them up for the Fair,” she said, adding “because we want them to be pure Californians or pure New Zealands. But we're mostly with California rabbits anyways but we got a new breeder and we told her hey, we just want Californians.” I pretended I understood!

“This fall Carolina and I'll be attending California State, Channel Islands majoring in bio chemistry.” Bio chemistry? “Yeah, I plan on becoming either a professor or a doctor but I know... I know I want to get up there.” That involves a lot of schooling I said in my most professorially voice. “I know, I know, but I'm looking forward to it” proclaimed Carolina.

Words of wisdom for potential rabbit farmers? “Don't give up. People have told me stop with the rabbits, don't even do it anymore, not worth my time. Lo and behold, I won grand champion and first place in showmanship... it was great... a great feeling.” That's showing the naysayers!

Janaey Cadena, Fillmore FFA, Reserve Grand Champion market rabbits.

How was Janaey feeling about the award? “I feel pretty great because it's my first year (in the FFA program) and a big surprise,” Janaey said. Next year? “Probably a pig and maybe rabbits again,” she said. Why a pig I wondered. “I always wanted to do a pig but never got into it.”

What was your experience raising rabbits, I asked. “It wasn't a lot of work but at times it really was,” said Janeay, adding, “You have to take time to hold them so they get used to it and get to know you. Sometimes they get pretty feisty.” Feisty rabbits? “When you try to pick them up they jump around all over the cage.” I thought rabbits naturally hop around. Anyway, I needed to know when Janaey knew her rabbits were happy. “Ummm, I think that when they let you pick them up the first try without jumping around they might be comfortable with you.” That must take some time so you don't have a problem with patience, I asked? “I do,” she said, “When I would try to pick them up and they would squirm after a few times I get a little impatient and frustrated then just try again.” Now I know that I'd be a lousy rabbit farmer. No patience!

Janaey will be a senior this year at Fillmore High. After that? “I plan to be a firefighter.” Why a firefighter I asked? “Just watching it, it just really interests me,” she said. But don't the risks phase you ? “It does.. it makes me think about it but still, it's what I want to do.”

Janeay also received $1,100 for her trio of rabbits at auction.

Brooke Allen, 13, Sespe 4-H, Grand Champion market goat.

Brooke's goat's name is Brutus. Why Brutus? “He has that look with the dark brown head. To me he just looks like a Brutus.”

How was raising Brutus? “It was fun,” said Brooke. OK, but what does fun mean I asked. Surprisingly, for Brooke, a long pause before answering. Finally; “Fun was working with him, exercising him and getting him to this point.”

How do you exercise Brutus? “I make him jump on the wall, like jumping up and down on a four-foot wall, run back and forth and do some free jumps,” said Brooke. It worked... Brutus was in great shape.

This is Brooke's third year raising market goats. And last year? “I also won Grand Champion market goat,” she said with a smile. Well of course -- Brooke obviously has learned the secret of raising championship market goats. And next year? “I'm doing another goat,” she said without a moment's hesitation. Sure, why not make it a threepeat. Her secret? “Have a good time and be sure to work them every day.” Every day? “Practice for setting them up for showmanship,” she explained. Which means? “Make sure their back legs are square and their back flat.” Aha... the goat pose!

Winning bidder paid $36.00/pound for 94 pound Brutus.

Erin Berrington, Fillmore FFA, Reserve Grand Champion market steer.

What is the 1,328 pound steers name? “Flashback,” said Erin. Hmmm. Flashback? Because he's a brother of last year's steer,” explained Erin. I think I got that right.

What about raising Flashback, I asked? “What about it,” quipped Erin? No, Erin, I ask the questions!!!

Or perhaps I should consider taking up quilting instead of interviewing. Rephrasing... was it easy, I asked? “He was a little stubborn towards the end when he stated putting on more weight because he really didn't want to walk but I walked him about an hour each day and he got better.” I understand Flashback's reluctance. If I weighed 1,328 pounds, I might prefer to stay in lounge mode.

Did you have a weight issue with Flashback I asked? “No, actually the day I came to the Fair, he weighed 1,393 pounds. The max is 1,400 pounds. But when he weighed in he was at 1,328,” Erin explained. Eating 26 pounds of chow per day, one ponders the quick weight loss.

Erin plans to set aside some of the proceeds from the auction for her college fund... Montana State, agriculture school. Montana State? “Because my sister lives up there and is going to school up there and it would be nice to be with my sister.” Montana winters are very cold I hear. “I went up there during the winter and I liked it”, said Erin. “I like snowboarding.” Well, that explains that.

Erin's long range plans include becoming a veterinarian. In the meantime, Erin plans to set aside some of her proceeds for herself... like a car fund for one. Next year? “Another steer,” she said.

The high bidder for Erin's Flashback paid $6.00 per pound.

Dylan Crawford, 14, Fillmore FFA, FFA Reserve Grand Champion market swine.

Winning reserve grand champion is remarkable considering that this was only Dylan's second year raising pigs. Now then, what does one name such a championship pig? “Plan B,” said Dylan. Ummm, Painbee, I asked? “NO, Plan B”, exclaimed Dylan. Was there a Plan A? “Yes,” Dylan said, “but she died of natural causes shortly after I got her.” Interesting. What was that experience like, I asked? “Well, it was pretty bad,” Dylan said, “but I only had her for about three weeks.” And the time with Plan B? “About three months,” he said. How was raising Plan B? “Good”, he said. Just good? “She ate well, she walks good.” Well, that about sums up raising Plan B.

What about her diet, I asked, just to keep the conversation going. “Three pounds of Morman's Showteck in the morning, three pounds in the evening” he explained. Why Morman's Showteck? “It's got protein, corn and a bunch of other stuff,” he said. Enough said! No cookies? “Yes, he said,” I knew that! I've been around these kids long enough to know about the relationship between cookies and pigs. What's her favorite? “Peanut butter,” he said with a grin. Figures!

Here is Dylan raising championship pigs and his long range plans include becoming a cattle rancher. Why? “Just something I'm interested in,” he said. Does that mean getting a horse? “Yes.” Do you have one now? “No.” Want one? “Yes.” Mom and dad said not yet? “Right.” Sometimes I know the answers before I ask the questions.

High bidder paid $9.00 per pound for Dylan's prize pig.

In the 15 years that I've been assigned to cover the Fair, never is there a year that I don't see truly wonderful kids come from the 4-H and FAA programs. The majority of these kids go on to highly successful careers because they learn about responsibility at an early age and all through the years they participate in the programs. Sure there's a learning curve regarding raising their chosen animal but it's the unseen intangibles that form their attitudes leading to their acquired aptitudes. Without exception, qualities I see exhibited consistently are dedication and optimism. In a word: Awesome!

Naturally, behind every youngster who raises an animal, champion or otherwise, there are other champions: Parents. And in many cases, grandparents. Godsends all! Also, kudos to the incredible, indispensable 4-H leaders and FAA teachers. Exceptional people all!

To all the kids in the programs... congratulations for a job well done. To those of you who won an award: Congratulations on behalf of the Fillmore Gazette and the community at large. You have a right to be proud of your well-earned accomplishments.

See you at the Fair next year!