Whitworth has niche within Madison FFA

Garrett Whitworth is ending his freshman year of high school with a new summer project that is sure to be an unforgettable experience, as he will be the first Madison County FFA member to raise and show his own goats.

Garrett owns about 12 boar goats, three of which he will raise strictly for showing during the summer and at the state show, held in Perry in October.

The state show is the last of the goat-showing season. Garrett feeds the goats daily, clips their feet, gives worming vaccinations, grooms them, provides the animals with clean, cool drinking water and works with them daily on showmanship and overall ring presence.

As a member of the Freshman Academy, he has been involved in Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) and Career Development Events, including teats evaluation, agriculture mechanics, poultry judging and agriculture communications.

He also serves as chaplin for his FFA chapter and has attended every morning FFA meeting and night social the chapter had this year. He has been involved in many leadership events and will attend a leadership camp in June.

Garrett gave the following interview:

What are your goals for your SAE?

"Some of my goals include learning as much about showing goats as possible this first show season, so that I may be more successful next year. Another goal of mine is to get more students involved in showing goats, so that we may one day very soon have a Madison County Goat Showing TEAM!"

What got you interested in animals and in particularly goats?

"Well my family owns four chicken houses, dogs, horses, cattle, rabbits and sheep. I have always loved animals ever since I was small; growing up with all of these animals made me learn to love them and take care of them on a daily basis. I just wanted to show animals, but we didn't have the equipment or means for me to show cattle or pigs, so we got into the goat business!"

Who helps you with your animals?

"My father helps me daily. My mom and sister also help me with feeding and working with the goats after school."

What would you like to be when you grow up?

"I would like to become a game warden, so that I can be outdoors and around animals every day! This SAE can help me understand animals better and will also help me manage my time more efficiently in the future. This SAE teaches me hard work and how to be patient, which can help me in my goal to become a game warden."

Anyone interested in getting involved in the Freshmen Academy FFA Chapter should contact Trisha Lastly at (229) 894-0507 or the school's Agriculture Department at (706) 795-2110.

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