18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com them for other life necessities— Freshwater proudly points out that he was able to buy a truck from his earnings. But Dalton is quick to point out that it’s not just for the money. Young people need to know where their food comes from, she says, as too many people think meat “appears out of nowhere” at the supermarket. A 2018 survey of more than 1,000 adult Americans, conducted by Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, found that 48 percent say they never or rarely seek information about where their food was grown. “My students are the ones raising that meat,” she says. “It’s made with love. It’s critical that we can produce affordable protein sources. These kids are the future, and if they know where that food comes from, they can teach others.” As president of Salinas FFA, Stagner is tasked with teaching the next generation how to properly care and show their animals. It’s a full-circle moment for her— Stagner was once a shy 9-year-old in 4-H who turned to the older students for help. She says her idol is Sierra Short, a Salinas-Rancho San Juan FFA Chapter graduate who is now vice president of the State FFA chapter, who took her to her first FFA jackpot show and taught her the ropes. Stagner says she not only helps out students from her FFA chapter, but also those from other chapters. Teaching the students how to help their pigs gain weight is a crucial part of showing in the competitions, where the animals must hit a certain target. Bandit, Stagner’s Monterey County Fair pig, weighed in at 175 pounds in mid-June, well on his way to the goal of 275 for the fair, she says, adding that the pigs gain 2 pounds a day. Dalton says the students need to learn the right combination of proteins and fats in the pigs’ feed, and adjust accordingly. There’s a science to it, and the goal is to find the right mix of muscle and chubbiness. Consistency in washing and brushing is key to making the pigs presentable for competition, Stagner notes. White shavings in their pens are also important to keep their hair clean, while yellow shavings tend to stain their coats. During the competition in the ring, Stagner says it’s critical to keep the pigs in control with their heads up, so she likes to train them by walking them in a figure-8. The thrill of the competition is like no other, she notes. “It’s a whole different feeling when you’re in the ring,” she says. “You’re super intense and you’re so focused on the judge. It’s hard to focus on what’s going on around you.” The Monterey County Fair will be senior Riley Mauras’ second fair, after having shown for the first time in the Salinas Valley Fair in May. Mauras encourages younger students interested in the program to “definitely go for it,” as raising the animals only gets easier with experience. “It has its ups and downs,” she says. “When you first get the animals, it’s really hard and stressful. I was reconsidering what I was doing. But it gets easier, and now I’ve got it down.” “Don’t be shy to ask questions, there will always be someone there to help,” Stagner says. “Just keep working hard, and don’t give up even when it’s really hard.” On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Bandit the pig joined about 125 swine during a large-scale move-in to the fairgrounds. He was joined by nearly 160 sheep and goats, close to 30 Madison Stagner tends to her pigs inside a barn at home on a June weekday, near the beginning of summer break. COURTESY OF MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR Madison Stagner competes in the showmanship competition with her pig at the 2023 Monterey County Fair. She says she must maintain focus in the intense judging ring while avoiding running into other competitors. Stagner’s work over the years has paid off with numerous belt buckles (shown at right) and other awards at various events.
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