News : V-S FFA Embraces the Fair Fever

Evan Lopata and Dakota Lopata with their awards from the horticulture show.

Kirsten Pettit and her awards from the rabbit show.

By: Sophia Newton, Co-Reporter

The Iowa State Fair took place at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines from August 8th through the 18th. Throughout this time, FFA members had great experiences at the Iowa State Fair, where they showcased their skills and gained valuable lessons from their contests.

 In the swine show, Abby McKenna earned 3rd place overall Tamworth Barrow. Clayton McKenna received 6th place in his Crossbred Gilt class and 10th in class for his Spotted Market Hog. Will McKenna received 6th overall Chester Breeding Gilt and blue ribbon Market Gilt in the swine show. Will also showed goats where he earned blue and purple ribbons with his Comercial Breeding Does. Will also earned 8th place with his early corn entry into the farm crops show. Also in the farm crops show, Andrew Pingenot received 5th place for his jar of soybeans while also exhibiting a jar of corn and new crop ears of corn. 

In the rabbit show, Kirsten Pettit received numerous awards including two blue ribbons in the Lionhead Junior Doe including Reserve Champion for the breed. She also received blue ribbons in the Brown Mini Rex Junior Buck and two New Zealand Junior Bucks, white ribbons in the White/Black Mini Rex Junior Doe and New Zealand Junior Doe, 4th in Wool Class, and no award for Californian Senior Doe, New Zealand Junior Doe, and Colored Fur. She also won a first place ribbon & a buckle for showmanship and a banner for herdsmanship. 

In the horticulture show, Evan Lopata received seven 1st place, six 2nd place, seven 3rd place, eight 4th place, four 5th place, six 6th place, five 7th place and five 8th place rankings. He also received 2nd overall exhibitor. Also in the horticulture show, Dakota Lopata received nine 1st place, eight 2nd place, eight 3rd place, five 4th place, seven 5th place, three 6th place, four 7th place and four 8th place rankings. She also received Grand Champion overall exhibitor. Evan and Dakota's showing also led to the chapter receiving 1st Place overall in the horticulture show.

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members had a great time exhibiting their hard work at the Iowa State Fair. Throughout members' time at the Fair they have made memories and learned about their contests.