Throughout Rio Arriba County, children and teenagers in the 4-H and Future Farmers of America are preparing for the County’s 2009 fair.
Fair royalty has been selected and they and the other exhibitors are preparing to show their animals, baked goods and rockets at the Abiuqiú Rural Events Center when the annual event commences next week (see full schedule on page A3).
Michelle Herrera, 18, was selected as rodeo queen and Natasha Trujillo, 16, is rodeo princess, County Extension 4-H Agent Marcella Talamante said. Rayann Mora, 10, is this year’s junior princess and Felicia Lefevere, 16, is the County fair queen, Talamante said.
“The fair is the kids’ chance to showcase all of their hard work from the year,” Talamante said.
A strong work ethic is a common theme among this year’s exhibitors.
“I get up at 5 a.m. and walk my pigs and goats,” Jose Luis Archuleta, 11, said. “I have 50 head of goats. I feed and water my animals three times a day.”
Archuleta lives with his father Albino in Ojo Caliente. This year’s fair will be his fourth year of displaying goats and pigs. He plans to show 11 bore goats and two Hampshire pigs.
“You work hard and try to do good,” Archuleta said. “The fair is pretty much all work, but it’s a lot of fun afterward.”
Like all 4-H and Future Farmers members, Archuleta does community service in addition to his livestock work.
“I visit the old folks’ homes in Española,” Archuleta said. “They like to see me.”
Justin Sandoval, 17, has been in 4-H since he was 5.
“I’ve showed horses, lambs, pigs and goats,” Sandoval, of La Mesilla, said.
Asked about his achievements, Sandoval shrugged and averted his gaze. But his father was quick to speak up.
“He maintains a 4.43 grade point average at Pojoaque High School,” Darrell Sandoval said, nodding at his son. “He took first place in County and state for archery last year, and second place at national, in Grand Island, Neb. In 2007, his muzzle-loader team went to nationals in South Dakota and took second place.”
Sandoval will show his 9-year-old quarterhorse this year.
“We have 64 exhibitors signed up this year,” Talamante said. “It’s down 25 percent from last year because of the economy. Feed and transportation get expensive and older kids have other time demands.”
Animals are judged on muscle, showmanship (how the animal’s handled), and a portfolio or record kept by each exhibitor to document how the animal was raised — how much it was fed, vet visits and costs, Talamante said.
“But there’s a lot more to 4-H than animals,” Talamante added. “Members pursue baking, sewing, rocketing, computer science, woodworking, welding.”
Contestants will also auction off homemade delights, Talamante said.
“The members are interviewed beforehand,” Talamante said. “They have to show all the ingredients they used and describe the process, how it was prepared, and describe the food’s nutritional value.”