By: Betty Lee
Being a farmer is hard work, says Blake Holcomb. This fourth grader at Clay Elementary stepped out of his comfort zone to tackle one of his biggest fears, animals, when he participated in the 2022 Clay County Agricultural Youth Fair. Not only tackling a fear but coming out with a first place win for his prize pig, Denise, which Clay Recycling purchased at the fair.
Blake worked very hard tending to his pig along with six others for children participating in the Agricultural Fair. Alongside his uncle, Sherman Pritt, Blake fed and watered the pigs daily. Seven pigs in total was barned by Sherman, with three winning 1st place, two winning 2nd place, one winning 3rd place, and one winning reserved champion.
Blake enjoys his video games and four wheeling, and now his new found passion for farm life. When talking to Blake about this experience, he says that the hardest part was keeping the feeder full and checking water, the funniest part to him was ear tagging when he had to hold them. Blake plans on participating again next year, already making plans by purchasing a pig to breed to raise his own pig for next year with the help of his uncle.
When asked what is something he took away from this experience, Blake answered, “I learned a lot, like how hard it is taking care of a pig and keeping a barn clean but I really enjoyed the Ag Fair and camping out in my own tent outside.”
Blake wants to thank WT Bevins, owner of Clay Recycling, for purchasing his pig.