News : Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Rocks the Show and Recruits the Future

Christopher Fleming, Austin Noe, Evan Lopata, and Andrew Pingenot enjoyed working at the Cattleman’s Booth and serving customers.

Sam Lundvall shows off her Champion Market Broilers.

Andrew Pingenot, and his bucket bottle calf, Taco, took first in the FFA member division.

Members help lay and spread wood chips for animals around the fairgrounds prior to the start.

Alana Fleming and her horse, Jackson, eye the poles for their race.

Christopher Fleming and his horse, Jessie, race to the flag's bucket.

Members taught “classes” to kids that visited the FFA Barn. In this, kids made a sock bunny.

Carly Schlarbaum, and Kelly slow down after their great time in the pole race.

Bowen Wright, of Atkins, grins ear to ear while holding one of the baby pigs that was born on the fairgrounds.

By Gabby Power

On June 22-26th, the great Benton County Fair was held at the fairgrounds in Vinton.

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members kept very busy throughout the fair doing a variety of activities. Members could be found at various food booths throughout the fair including the Dairy, Cattlemen, and some even volunteered at the Pork Producers.

The FFA Barn was alive and robust each day from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with baby rabbits to hold, a harried sheep, miniature pony, mini Hereford cow-calf pair, and a sow to farrow. The sow is always a highlight of the Benton County Fair. Even when the process didn't start until 9:55 P.M. on Thursday, there was still a crowd of both kids and adults waiting anxiously to hold the newborn piglets.

The Vinton-Shellsburg, Benton Community, and La Porte City-Dysart FFA members helped kids hold baby animals in addition to teaching fun classes and crafts throughout the day to engage the future of agriculture.

In addition, multiple members exhibited their projects at the fair including:

Andrew Pingenot - Bucket Bottle Calf

Sam Lundvall - Market Broilers

Carly Schlarbaum - Horse

Alana Fleming - Horses

Christopher Fleming - Horse

Thank you to all those that stopped by the FFA Barn to say hi and visit! Congratulations to FFA members on all their accomplishments and hard work that went into planning and organizing events at the Benton County Fair.