Ag Day

I last posted about Ag Day back in 2010 when my grandchildren were at school.  This annual event in rural schools has different titles depending on the location of the school - Calf Club, Country, Pet, Agriculture, Community Day.  The tiny school (I think there are fewer than 30 students) my g-g-daughter, Lexis, attends simply call it Ag Day.  It's like the Calf Club days when my children went to school.  Whereas some schools encourage children to take an active interest in the welfare and presentation of an animal of their choice, here it is about calves and lambs only, just like in the old days.

Ag Day was on Saturday.  It was a wonderful community gathering, we weren't the only family amongst the spectators that included uncles, aunts, grandparents, g-g-parents like me, family friends. With community support like that, it's easy to see why kids love going to school.

Little Lexis had a pet lamb and there was much consternation during the week when the lamb had a sore foot.  The cause of the limp was diagnosed and it was decided it wouldn't do any harm to allow it to take part.

The four children in the Junior Section waiting patiently and watching the Junior Calf entrants in the competition ring. Lexis in the black raincoat.  There was drizzly rain but it wasn't heavy enough to halt proceedings.  Look at that little boy with a calf almost as tall as he is, and a lot heavier.  His dad is standing by in case he is needed but the lad was well and truly in charge and a competent handler.

  

Looking a wee bit worried.  It's not easy in the judging ring when you know all eyes are on you.  Prizes aren't won just by animals that are well bred, although there is a section for just that.  They are also judged on the grooming of their pet and how it walks beside its human on a lead. The lamb on the lead, that is. Winning a prize is invariably about the hours the child has put in feeding, caring for and training their animal. 

A young aunt of another student offered to get closer to the action for a photo for me.  

Big smiles once it was all over.  They both did really well.

 

Students who aren't able to enter a calf or lamb are expected to participate by planting and tending a small contained garden such as a bee garden, fruit/vege garden or a herb garden.  There was some very creative thinking behind some of the containers on display.