The Junior Livestock Club has grown in the past year. Animals shown this year included steers, heifers, pigs, lambs and goats.

    This year’s exhibitors include West Lauderdale Future Farmers of America (FFA) members led by Danny Johnson, Tucker and Anna Wagner; Clarkdale FFA members led by Toni Boatner, Meagan Lee, Ashley Lakatos, Melanie Litchfield and Tyler Bye; and 4-H members include Bonnie Tartt, Grey and Olivia Harper, Blakely and Hunter Riley and Zeke Pulido.

    These youth have worked tremendously hard all year to prepare for the livestock shows.  Along with competing at the county level, these exhibitors go on to compete in Hattiesburg at the Southeast District Livestock Show. However, the show season does not end there. After the district show, many exhibitors statewide go on to compete at the Dixie National Jr. Round-Up, the biggest livestock show in the state. This is a fun family activity that teaches youth about responsibility, marketing, organization, record keeping, and helps youth to build relationships across the state.

    Thank you to all the individuals and businesses that supported the Jr. Livestock Show and Sale. Your contributions help encourage our participants and offer the opportunity for them to save money for their projects and school. This year we had 12 individuals who worked hard and had a terrific time at our show and sale. Events such as these would not be possible without the help from the community. 

    We would like to thank each of you for your support: Farm Bureau, Industrial Electric, Newell Paper Company, Henderson Trucking, Henderson Steel, Benefit Management Group, Mr. Freddie Poitevent, Dr. Harry Gibson, Structural Steel, Gipson Steel, A & B Electric, Slay Steel, A & B Communications, Industrial Mechanical Contractors, McDaniel Farm, First State Bank, Mid South Welding, East MS Electric Power Association, Lauderdale County Farm Supply, Commercial Bank, The Citizen’s Bank, Peterbilt of Meridian, WTOK, Senator Videt Carmichael, Representive Greg Snowden, Great Southern National Bank, Rea Shaw Griffin & Stuart, Burns & Burns, Mr. Jerry Griffin, Dr. Steve Tartt, Blakely & Hunter Riley, Ralph Morgan Logging and Citizen’s National Bank.     

    We would also like to thank our donors and sponsors Meridian Stock Yards, Lauderdale County Agri-Center, Mrs. Pennie Dickey, Mrs. Dot Shaw, Mrs. Mary Welch, Circle S Ranch Fish House, Mrs. Louella Limrick, Mrs. Mary Tucker, Mrs. Ann Oubre, Mrs. Seleta Henderson, M Prints, Collins Cattle Ranch and the Jr. Livestock Committee.     

    Again we appreciate all the support and look forward to next January.