FFA Stock Show

Senior focuses on her future in agriculture

FFA+Stock+Show

Photo by: Alexis Garrison

Story by: Alexis Garrison, Staff Artist and Design Team

“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists. In the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years,”  the Future Farmers of America, or FFA, creed recites. Senior Tara Rojas stands by the creed and focuses on her future in agricultural field.

Rojas has immersed herself in rodeo life for years. When she found out Cy Creek offered a course in what she loved, she joined immediately and now holds the position of president of FFA.

“I want to become an agricultural science teacher, so I want FFA to be under my belt,” Rojas said. “I just love what my ag science teachers do and I want to be like them.”

FFA has an annual stock show in which all FFA members in CFISD can compete. This year’s stock show will take place in Fort Worth on Feb. 4-6. The animals in the show range from chickens to pigs. Rojas will showcase a steer and a heifer this year.

“I take my animals to practice shows,” Rojas said. “I basically always act like I’m in a competition or show. In practice shows, you basically show your animals to the judges. They prepare you for what a real judge would say, so you can improve on it.”

Rojas has done her best to perfect herself, her performance and her animals. She has trained all year for this one event, but still has to prepare herself to part with her steer and heifer. The stock show ends on Feb. 6, meaning members must sell their animals.

“I know I’m gonna cry,” Rojas said. “I’ve had them since May, but I know it’ll be okay, because selling them is the name of the game.”