(Atlantic) The Cass County Fair Swine Show features a new program to enhance Swine arena participation this year. The new program is called “Pig Pals Cass County.”
Laura Robinson is spearheading the program. “The idea is a spin-off from the Iowa Pork Producers program at the Iowa State Fair called “Bacon Buddies,” said Robinson. “I watched some counties run with the idea and make it their show, and I thought we could create our show in Cass County to spark some interest in showing swine.”
Robinson says “Pig Pals Cass County” is open to youth in fourth grade and up, whether in 4-H or not. “The children participating in the Pig Pal Show are paired with someone showing pigs and willing to provide mentorship,” said Robinson. “The two get together before the fair to learn about raising pigs and showmanship. On Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. they pair up and show the pig in the show barn.”
Robinson says there are 12 mentors and 12 youth taking part in the show. “We have had some generous donors providing prize buckets for the participants,” said Robinson. “I am hoping this will spark some interest in more kids already involved or want to get involved in showing pigs.”
The show features the mentor staying with the pig pal for part of the show; the judge will separate them, and the youth learning to show will take over to see how they perform on their own.
