4-H Members See Animals Off on Likely Path to Hog Heaven

VENTURA — It’s a good thing pigs can’t read.

If they could, the squealing swine at the Ventura County Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction probably would have bolted.

With nameplates reading 2-B Smoked and Dead Ham Walking marking the entrances to their cedar-lined pens, the pigs’ ultimate destination is pretty clear.

“Most go right to the butcher,” said 16-year-old Melanie Lavallee of Moorpark as she gently brushed talcum powder onto the skin of her prize-winning 250-pound porker, 2-B Smoked. “That’s where most of them are going to go, unless someone wants them to breed.”

More than 500 county teens and youngsters from 23 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs participated in the weeklong livestock judging, which culminated Friday with a frenzied auction.

The auction, one of the oldest junior livestock competitions in the state, drew ranchers from as far away as Tulare and representatives of a host of area businesses to place bids on the hundreds of animals at Seaside Park’s Clark Pavilion. Also on hand was Rep. Brooks Firestone (D-Los Olivos) who shelled out for a 250-pound pig that he donated to Food Share.

For some of the junior competitors, auction day was spent reminiscing about the hours spent walking, grooming or feeding their pigs or sheep, while for others it was the much-anticipated payoff for months of diligent hard work.

“This is the day that we really look forward to because it’s what we’ve all been working for,” said 12-year-old Charlie Kimball of the Las Posas 4-H Club.

Established in the early years of the 20th century, 4-H Clubs help kids learn through practical experience. 4-H, which stands for head, heart, hands and health, has more than 4 million members nationwide and is open to youngsters ages 9 to 19.

Charlie entered a 107-pound sheep named Fleece. “There were a lot of times that it was just a big pain, but in the end it’s really fun.”

For some, though, auction day was more difficult, as the realization of impending slaughter set in.

“Gosh, I’m going to miss her,” said Katherine Lamb, 11, a first-time competitor from Camarillo, as she waited for her sheep, Chiquita, to be called. “She always followed me everywhere I went.”

Veterans of the livestock auction said that as time goes on, competitors like Katherine will learn not to get too attached to the animals.

“My first year I got pretty close to my pig, so it was hard to watch him go,” Melanie said. “Now I’m more careful. I never give them a name until the day before the show, and I try not to ever look them in the eye.”

But Kevin Edwards, a member of the Piru 4-H, said watching his pigs being sold has never gotten easier. Even after three years, the 13-year-old admits he has gotten way too close to this year’s entry, a swine named Piggie Smalls.

“He’s always licking me like a dog,” Kevin said as he sat in the pen, scratching Piggie’s jowls as the porker snorted in pleasure. “He’s real sensitive, too, and never likes to be left alone.”

According to the junior agribusiness men and women, the easiest animals to raise are the pigs, while cattle are the most difficult.

“You don’t have to do much with a pig, just walk it and feed it,” said Piru’s Chris McKinnon, 9, before escorting 229-pound Spot into the auction ring. “The hardest part, though, is cleaning up their poop.”

Eva Reeder, whose ornery 1,000-pound Limousin-Angus steer Archie was runner-up to the grand champion, said that even though she is happy to be relieved of her beefy brown bovine, she doesn’t regret the time she put into raising him.

“He has basically been my life for the past nine months,” the 17-year-old Santa Paula resident said. “Even though it’s been pretty hard, it’s definitely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

* FAIR SCHEDULE: B2

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Getting to the Fair

Departure and arrival times for Metrolink trains to the Ventura County Fair on today and Sunday.Fares are $8 round trip from Chatsworth, $6 round-trip from Simi Valley and Moorpark, and $4 round-trip from Camarillo and Oxnard. One-way fares are half that. Children 5 and younger as well as monthly pass holders ride free. Tickets may be purchased the day of travel at train stations. All stations and trains are wheelchair-accessible. For information, call 808-LINK.

Northbound

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Chatsworth 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 2:45 p.m. Simi Valley 10:45 a.m. 12:01 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Moorpark 11:05 a.m. 12:17 p.m. 3:20 p.m. Camarillo 11:18 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:33 p.m. Oxnard 11:35 a.m. 12:45 p.m. 3:50 p.m. Ventura 11:50 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:10 p.m.

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Southbound

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Ventura 12:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 10:25 p.m. Oxnard 1:15 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10:40 p.m. Camarillo 1:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:53 p.m. 10:55 p.m. Moorpark 1:43 p.m. 6:13 p.m. 8:05 p.m. 11:07 p.m. Simi Valley 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:35 p.m. 11:25 p.m. Chatsworth 2:20 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 8:55 p.m. 11:45 p.m.

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Source: Metrolink