Last summer’s Mid State Fair livestock show featured a smiling gaggle of  San Luis Obispo High School students. Photo courtesy of @sanluisobispoffa on Instagram

  With the Mid State Fair approaching, San Luis Obispo High School students are getting ready to ride carnival rides and eat fair food. The livestock show is seen at the fair but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of this process? 

  “The process of showing livestock is first buying the animal, you have to make sure it gets all of its vaccinations and medicines. You have to do online courses in order to have the livestock. Then, you have to make weight as well as trimming their hair, to make sure they look good” said senior Kylie Self. 

  It takes a lot of the year to raise the animals and get them prepared for this special time of July. The livestock show is not just a one day ordeal, students spend most of the week during the time of the fair

  “On Sunday morning we transport all of our animals to the fair. Monday is weight day. We get their weight and find out if they’re able to be shown or not. Tuesday is market day. Wednesday is show and ship day. Then, Saturday; the big day, is auction day which is where we sell our animals” said junior Steven Bates. 

  The process of raising the animals for the fair is a more time consuming procedure than many people realize. It takes a toll on dedicated Agriculture students’ free time. 

  “One of the harder aspects of raising and showing livestock is arranging your schedule to always have time for it because it’s a really big responsibility,” said junior Jazmin Ramirez. 

  Even though getting ready for the Mid State Fair is an intricate process, it’s worth it for the students; they have a great time. 

  “My favorite part of showing livestock is being there all the time and getting to know many people. We’ll all united through showing livestock but besides that we’re all very different people. It’s nice to bond through the time of the Mid State Fair” said junior Steven Bates. 

  Through common interests students create lifelong connections. Not all the students in this event come from an Agricultural background, anyone can get involved. 

  “I started AG my freshman year, I took AG biology and then AG chemistry. One of my friends Linda told me I should show livestock with her. That’s how I started showing my pig and wanting to be in livestock” said junior Jazmin Ramirez. 

  All it takes is adding an AG class to your schedule in order to participate in the agricultural community! Let’s get involved Tigers!