Creating Opportunities: Metz Farm Showmanship Program
Appoquinimink FFA members on the Metz Farm Showmanship Team at the Delaware State Fair.
When going above and beyond to make a difference in their chapter and community, it takes leadership and commitment to create environments students can cultivate success in. Advisor Kendall Metz from the Appoquinimink FFA Chapter in Delaware reflects on her creation of the Metz Farm Showmanship Program.
“[It] bridged the gap between students and the world of agriculture,” Metz says. “Most students in our community do not have direct ties to agriculture and therefore do not know where to begin when exploring our food systems. The show program acts as a missing puzzle piece that helps students connect their own lives to agriculture in a real-world, meaningful way.
“These students are directly responsible for the care and development of their lambs from an early stage. During the breeding and lambing season, students assist with monitoring ewes, preparing lambing areas and ensuring newborn lambs are healthy. In the process, they are recognizing signs of distress, understanding feeding protocols and maintaining clean, safe living conditions for livestock.
“Once the lambs are weaned, students are in charge of daily care routines, including feeding, watering, cleaning pens and tracking the growth and health of their animals. They learn to evaluate body condition and adjust nutrition plans to properly develop their lambs as competitive market animals. Students train their lambs to lead, brace and respond to handling, which takes patience and consistency. They practice proper show techniques, such as stance, ring awareness and how to present their animal to a judge.
“Throughout this time, the show program hosts petting zoos at local events and elementary schools, broadening the impact to thousands in the community. By the end of the program, students know and feel how much work goes into livestock production, and when that lamb is sold, they come to find a higher appreciation for every animal that is produced.
“For many students, the show program is their first Supervised Agricultural Experience, their first time handling livestock animals and their families’ first introduction to production agriculture. Overall, the Metz Farm Showmanship Program has reshaped the community by creating access, building responsibility, fostering confidence and, ultimately, enriching both the students and the broader community through outreach and education.”
Advisor Kendall Metz and Appoquinimink FFA students raising newborn lambs.
Advisors like Metz are constantly working to build learning environments that allow students to soar in the field of agriculture and FFA.
