Future Farmers of America, FFA, is an effective program that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership in agricultural education, and increases the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. This program is working in the lives of students nationwide, and right here at Har-Ber High.

As the 157th Washington County Fair made its way into town, Junior Kennedy Edwards was well under way in training her goat for the upcoming competition,hopeful to bring home the Grand Champion Title for her second year. While talking to Edwards she described the competition and how she prepared this year vs. last year.

“When you get to the competition they weigh all the goats and split the goats into classes, then each class competes. The winner of each class comes back, then that’s when they decide the grand champion,” said Edwards.

Grand Champion last year, Edwards’ goat, Feliz Navidad, was one with more muscle than last year’s to be another top competitor.

“Last year’s goat didn’t have as much muscle as this year’s so we fed him a high fat feed with lots of additives and exercised him on a treadmill that they walk on, and a track dog that runs them around to build muscle,” said Edwards.

This year the training wasn’t as intense due the prior muscle the goat had, her goal was just to keep him toned.

The FFA program helped Edwards at being successful at the competitions and assisting her in bringing home the grand champion title for the second year.

“The FFA advisor [Mrs. Priest] helped enter my goat In the contest and helped find the correct competition for me. The program also gives lots of opportunities for scholarships,” said Edwards.