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Decatur County 4-H members exhibited sheep and swine at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in Perry, Georgia on February 19-22, 2020.  Rachel Hayes, Bainbridge High School 4-H’er, exhibited the Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe. 

Rachel was named Grand Champion Commercial Breeding Ewe and exhibited two first place class lambs.  Additionally, Rachel was 2nd place in 9th grade showmanship.   Rachel is the daughter of Brian and Lindsey Hayes.  Miles Gibbs from Del Rio, Texas judged the 2020 Georgia Junior National Breeding Ewe Show and evaluated the sheep in classes and the exhibitors in showmanship.   

Crosby Giddens, Preston Lynn, and Jake Barber exhibited market hogs at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.  Exhibitors from across the state exhibited over 1250 market hogs during the culminating show of the season.  Jake Barber, 5th grader at Hutto Middle School, placed 1st in a market barrow class and 3rd place in a market gilt glass.  Crosby Giddens, 4th grader at Jones Wheat Elementary, placed 9th in a market barrow class.  Preston Lynn, 5th grader at Hutto Middle School, exhibited two 3rd place market barrows.

Preston also placed 7th in 5th grade showmanship.

Bainbridge Middle School FFA members participating in the 2020 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show were Carson Lynn, Ansley Cook, and Abby Grubbs.  Carson Lynn placed 2nd and 7th in market barrow class with two entries.  He was 4th place in 8th grade showmanship.  Ansley Cook and Abby Grubbs exhibited registered heifers for the 2020 Georgia Junior National Heifer Show.  Ansley placed 8th in class and Abby placed 10th in class.

These livestock exhibitors represent Decatur County and their respected schools as they take participate in livestock shows all over the south.  As a result of their participation, youth gain character traits including responsibility, caring and fairness among others, and certainly the reward of hard-work and dedication.  In addition, they practice numerous life skills including teamwork, self motivation, self esteem, critical thinking, decision making, goal setting, cooperation, and communication.