BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
LAKE BUTLER — Working in agriculture is not what it used to be. In days past a prospective farmer, either working in field crops or livestock, derived much of their knowledge from other farmers, most notable their family members. In today’s agricultural world there is so much more to learn and know and, like so many professions, the changes in required knowledge happen at a very fast pace. The practice as long surpassed simply reading the Farmer’s Almanac and keeping track of the phases of the moon. Today there are many government regulations, improvements in equipment and scientific improvements to seeds and stock and all of these require a farmer to keep up and current.
Organizations like the 4-H, FFA and the Union County Livestock Association spend many hours assisting youth in learning what they need to know should they choose farming as a profession. Like any learning environment, tests have their place, and some of the sting is taken out of test taking by turning it into a fun, competitive event.
One of the ways that testing can be made fun is through activities at events, such as the Skill-A-Thon competition at the Union County Agricultural Fair, most recently held this past March 14-19. Young people in four age-based divisions took the Skill-A-Thon tests – kind of like the FCAT of agriculture. Youngsters, ages 8-18 took a written test to see how much they really knew about agriculture. The Little Bit youth had taken a similar test at the recent UCLA Goat Show.
And the winners were:
LITTLE BIT DIVISION –
Trinitie McCall, Grace Box, Braxton Johnson, Lane Hartley, Wayne Hartley, Jackson Brewster and Sawyer Dyal.
JUNIOR DIVISION – (8-10 years old)
(In order, first to fourth)
Farrah Elixson, Callen Collins, Nomi Croft and Raylan Dyal.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION – (11-13 years old)
(In order, first through tenth)
Shayna Durrance, Macie Wilson, Cyler Collins, Gage Lewis, Miley Wilson, Celis Elixson, Payton Kilgore, Malia Williams, Maddie Croft and Emmy Croft.
SENIOR DIVISION – (14-18 years old)
(In order, first through fifth)
Noah Williams, Jolene Moore, Cadence Collins, Darby Andrews and Bo Wilson.
Congratulations to all these young people, who can show their knowledge in their chosen field. Keep learning!
