Emily Keverline and Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

The Kern Valley Agriculture program did very well at the 2009 Kern County Fair. The chapter’s name was announced many times over the loud speaker and in the show arenas. The tradition of excellence has continued for yet another fair and started the school year off with a bang. Throughout all of the barns, Kern Valley had another banner year.

Kern Valley floral exhibitors had the best year since the chapter began competing in the fresh floral arrangement category. Ninety-seven percent of the first timers, doing the five flowers corsages, took first place. All advanced floral bouquets placed first as well. “This is a talented group of individuals and I look forward to seeing the arrangements they will produce throughout the year,” commented FFA advisor Emily Keverline. The arrangements include poinsettias, Thanksgiving arrangements and corsages for formals and contribute to the chapter’s fundraising efforts.

Kaliey Villa took fifth place in showmanship with her Champion Registered Jersey at the Kern County Fair in Bakersfield.

Livestock exhibitors did outstanding throughout all of the barns as well. (Full results are included at the end of the article.) Some highlights from Dairy include, Holly Largent- 4th overall in Kern Bred Holstein, which was a new class this year just for Holsteins born in Kern County. Kailey Villa won Champion Registered Jersey and received a belt buckle for her efforts. The Villa family made its’ name known in the Dairy barn as Shayne Villa won Reserve FFA Champion Dairy Showmanship.

The swine exhibitors made a mark on the competition as all exhibitors placed 4th or higher in their market class.

“This is an outstanding achievement, given the level of competition at the Kern County Fair, said Keverline. “There were over 250 pigs exhibited by FFA members and we were in the elite top 5 percent of the show. The students’ hard work and dedication was definitely evident with this performance.”

Destinee Ochoa being named Reserve Champion Handicap Showman was a high point in the competition. “We are very proud of all the hard work she put in to be one of the best,” Keverline said.

The sheep and rabbit barns were both well represented, with 30 sheep and eight rabbits being exhibited. Kern Valley had quite the group of sheep exhibitors and had another Champion Handicap Showman, Maggie Stroud. The sheep barn had nothing place lower than 7th in market classes. In addition, the sheep group won the Theme contest, which judges the signs and exhibit in the barn based on educational and artistic value. Kern Valley was represented in the horse show by Jessica Porter. Kern Valley won the clean stall award, as well. Porter also won Champion Speed Junior Horse and many 1st places in her events.

“The Kern Valley FFA would like to thank all of the parents and community members who came down to support our school and kids at the 2009 Kern County Fair,” Keverline said. “The Kern Valley FFA kids would also like to thank the Bronc Boosters for helping out and running the Chuck Wagon like always,” added Keverline. “We have to say the food was always amazing and the environment as well.”

Parents, who pitched in to help at the Chuck Wagon, helped the fair go by with fun times and many good laughs. “We all hope that you enjoyed helping out with the Chuck Wagon and fair as much as us kids appreciated the home cooked meals and atmosphere that made the Chuck Wagon our home away from home,” Keverline said.

Countless local businesses donated supplies and money to the Chuck Wagon, individual student projects and buyer’s fund.

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the Homecoming Football game on Friday, Oct. 16,” Keverline said. “We will be hosting our annual Steak Fry on the Tennis Courts at KVHS from 4 – 7 pm. Enjoy a cooked to order steak dinner with all the fixin’s and cheer the Broncs to victory. Adults are $13 and Children 9 and under are $7. Proceeds will benefit the Booster Scholarship Fund and FFA Conference attendance.