First Annual Appalachian Classic Welcomes Hundreds of Youth

September 12, 2023

First Annual Appalachian Classic Welcomes Hundreds of Youth

Damascus, VA — School buses lined the gravel drive to Wilson Farm, LLC, at the First Annual Appalachian Classic Livestock Judging Contest. 

More than 250 youth from Southwest Virginia competed in the livestock judging contest, evaluating cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs.

Livestock judging challenges participants to evaluate a class of 4 animals of the same species. Participants evaluate the animal’s structure, muscle, and functionality, among other characteristics. The animals are then ranked according to what is considered ideal and in comparison to other animals in the class.

Participants support their rankings with oral reasons, a speaking portion of the competition, which requires them to take careful notes and deliver a memorized speech to a judge or panel of judges.

The Appalachian Classic required participants to evaluate eight separate classes. Youth had 12 minutes to rank each class and answer questions about the animals. 

Kelsey Davidson, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Holston High School, and Aaron Scyphers, horticulture teacher and FFA advisor at Patrick Henry High School, both in Washington County, VA, organized the event. 

“I find it very important that our students are exposed to agriculture and have these experiences that teach them various skills,” Davidson said. 

For KJ Crabtree, a high school junior, the contest was only the second time she had participated in livestock judging. “I came for fun,” Crabtree said, “I wanted to experience judging livestock again. It’s fun, and I really wanted a chance to do better than I did the first time.”

For kids like Crabtree, eager to learn more about agriculture but inexperienced in livestock evaluation, the event provided a livestock judging clinic led by Matthew Miller, Virginia Tech Livestock Judging Team coach. 

Clinics and opportunities for agriculture education are key to youth learning where their food comes from. “Instilling the fundamentals of livestock evaluation at an early age is critical for youth to understand meat animal industries,” Miller said. 

Grant Grubb, a high school junior, was the champion in the senior division of the contest. He sees the value of participating in contests like the Appalachian Classic.

“I love agriculture and being competitive,” Grubb said. “Judging combines those two things. While also learning how to select high-quality livestock accurately.” 

The ability to select quality livestock is a skill that will undoubtedly benefit future farmers and producers.

According to Miller, no matter the experience level of youth, there are also lessons outside of agriculture. “Livestock judging helps instill confident decision-making habits.”

Davidson agrees, “We wanted the contest to provide opportunities for students to learn about agriculture and livestock while gaining skills in public speaking, problem-solving, teamwork, and determination in a working farm environment.” 

According to Grubb, the contest did just that. “Judging provides me with life skills like public speaking and presentations.”

The event required a multitude of volunteers and sponsors.

“I cannot thank enough all the volunteers, livestock suppliers, sponsors, advisors, and extension staff who made today possible,” Scyphers said. “It’s humbling to see a community of volunteers and sponsors come together to support youth in agriculture.”

Sponsors are vital to help provide many necessities, including prizes, ensuring youth are awarded for their efforts.

Volunteers and supporters are critical, too. They are needed to lead groups of students, move animals in pens, provide animals for judging, serve food to participants, and perform various other tasks.

Adam Wilson of Wilson Farm, LLC, was one of those volunteers. In addition to supplying animals for the contest and volunteering the day of, Wilson hosted the event on his farm.

“We’re happy to open the farm to these kids,” Wilson said. He added that he volunteers for these events because “Somebody did it for me when I was a kid. I hope we can inspire another generation to do it for someone else.”

Shasta Wilson added, “It’s important to us to provide agriculture opportunities to local youth.”

While many of the participants at the event aren’t growing up on farms, they are learning lessons that will help them understand the importance of agriculture and educate them to be knowledgeable consumers. 

“It’s encouraging to see all these kids who showed up to judge and learn,” Scyphers said.

Contact your local extension office or FFA chapter for more information about youth livestock judging events.

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