Racine Southern FFA: Meigs County Fair Showcase
Written by: Hunter Lackey, 2026-2027 Racine Southern FFA Historian
Each year, the Meigs County Fair provides a wonderful opportunity for 4-H clubs, the Junior Fair Board (JFB), local FFA chapters, and community youth groups to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of the county’s youth. For Southern Local FFA members, the fair is the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and preparation. Members spend countless hours caring for their livestock, refining their exhibition skills, and developing the agricultural knowledge needed to successfully show their projects.
The Southern Local FFA chapter was well-represented across this year's livestock shows. Members dedicated themselves year-round to raising, caring for, and preparing their animals for competition. The participating members included:
Marcy Evans - Cattle - reserve champion beef steer
Hunter Lackey - Market Lambs - 4th overall market
Garret Beasley - Market Lambs - 4th overall market
Weston Smith - Market turkeys - 9th overall market
Tyson Hupp - Market Goats - 10th overall market
McKenzie Sellers - Market goats
Nina Blackhurst - Market goats
Bella Johnson - Market Goats
In addition to livestock competitions, Southern Local FFA designed and assembled a chapter booth for the fair. This display gave members an opportunity to showcase the chapter's diverse activities and achievements throughout the year. Collaborating on a themed display for the Racine Southern FFA chapter, students highlighted projects spanning agricultural mechanics, greenhouse management, leadership activities, and Career Development Events (CDEs). The booth served as an educational tool, helping fair visitors learn more about the opportunities available through local agricultural education.
Another highlight of the fair week was the annual Livestock Judging Contest, which Southern Local FFA proudly co-hosted in partnership with the Meigs high school FFA. The event allowed 4-H and FFA members to put their evaluation skills to the test. Participants analyzed several diverse classes of livestock—including lambs, goats, hogs and beef cattle—ranking each animal based on industry standards such as structure, muscle, balance, quality, and market readiness.
The livestock judging contest provides participants with practical, hands-on experiences that translate far beyond the show ring. To succeed, contestants must make quick decisions, maintain a sharp eye for detail, and confidently defend their placing logic.
This year, 60 youth and 30 adults attended and completed the contest. We would like to extend a special thank you to our judges, Halee and Ian Pritchard.
We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors: Athenian Wrapsody/Fulton Concessions, Ben Holter and Bryer Holley, Bridgeport Equipment, Clary Farms, Dean and Robin Harris, Farm Credit and Rural 1st, Garrett Beasley and Family, KL Livestock, M&R Contracting, Meigs/Athens Farm Bureau, MeMe's, Inc., Pomeroy Fabric Shop, R&R Farms, Riverbend Treasures, Route 7 Feed and Supplies, Shade River Ag, Tyson Hupp, Valley View Farms, Windy Hill Farms, Amanda Eblin, Eddie Casto, Ashley Casto, Jennifer Dunn, Jenna Meeks, Natalie Brown, Jo Dunn, Tim Dunn, Maxine Rose, Rachel Hupp, Kristin McKay, Jake Barber, Natasha Beasley, Colton Erwin, and Sydney Rogers.
Congratulations to the winners of the contest:
Top 5 for each age division
Adult
1st Place: Natalie Brown
2nd Place: Heather Burke
3rd Place: Jason Jordan
4th Place: Cynthia Enright
5th place: Angle Mohler
Senior
1st place: Jack Burke
2nd place: Davion Moran
3rd place: Hannah Jackson
4th place: Lakin Ridenour
5th place: Taylor Cook
Junior
1st place: Jerika Hupp
2nd place: Ava Eblin
3rd place: Grace Parry
4th place: Harper Kelley
5th place: Bryce Casto
Overall, the Meigs County Fair was a highly successful week for Southern Local FFA. Whether exhibiting livestock, competing in judging contests, managing the chapter booth, or supporting their peers from the sidelines, Southern FFA students represented their chapter and community with immense pride.
Pictures of are officer pallets displaying events throughout the year along side classroom projects involving animal science, and green house structures.