CONTRIBUTED BY ALFA
LEE COUNTY —
Several Lee County youth were recognized at the Alabama National Fair held earlier this month.
In showmanship, youth livestock exhibitors are judged on their abilities to properly guide their animal around the ring and set their animal up for the judge. In premier exhibitor, youth livestock exhibitors are judged on their overall show performance as well as a written test.
Beginner, junior, intermediate and senior divisions are based on the competitors’ ages. Beginners are ages 4 to 8. Junior competitors are ages 9 to 12. Intermediate competitors are 13 to 15 and the senior deivision is for those ages 16 to 19.
Youth livestock programs at the fair are sponsored by Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance.
Junior Premier Exhibitor winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Jessi Maples of Lee County, first place; Walton Epperson of Chambers County, second place; Aiden Brice of Cullman County, third place; and Easton Elrod of Cullman County, fourth place. 
Junior Premier Exhibitors in the Beef Show were recognized at the Alabama National Fair Oct. 7. They were, from left: Claire Smith of Chilton County, first; Camden Upchurch of Clay County, second; Courtney White of Randolph County, third; Collins Cofield of Randolph County, fourth; Jessi Maples of Lee County, fifth. 
Junior showmanship winners at the Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Show were, from left, Claire Smith of Chilton County, first; MJ Flowers of Pike County, second; Camden Upchurch of Clay County, third; Jessi Maples of Lee County, fourth; and Brooklyn Price of Lee County, fifth. Pictured with the group is Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell. 
Junior Showmanship winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Jessi Maples of Lee County, first place; Walton Epperson of Chambers County, second place; Levi Franklin of Geneva County, third place; Aiden Brice of Cullman County, fourth place; and Chase Burkett of Montgomery County, fifth place. 
Jessi Maples of Lee County exhibited the Reserve Champion Yearling Commercial Doe at the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 in Montgomery. She is shown with Judge Tim Hubbard of Charlotte, Michigan. 
Jessi Maples of Lee County exhibited the Shorthorn Plus Reserve Champion during the Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Cattle Heifer Show on Oct. 8. Maples is pictured with judge Abigayle Pollock of Tennessee, left, and Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell, right. 
Senior Premier Exhibitors in the Beef Show were recognized at the Alabama National Fair Oct. 7. They were, from left: Amelia Thrower of Marshall County, first; Annabelle Wesley of Pike County, second; Lyndee Meadows of Randolph County, third; Mary Elliott Martin of Lee County, fourth; Etta Hudson of Cullman County, fifth. 
Beginner Showmanship winners in the Alabama National Fair Youth Goat Show Oct. 7 were, from left, Brooklyn Ray of Cullman County, first place; Georgia Flowers of Pike County, second place; Boone Maples of Lee County, third place; Macie Barfoot of Elmore County, fourth place; and Luke Sexton of Autauga County, fifth place. Beginner Showmanship is for exhibitors ages 4-8. Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance sponsored the youth livestock programs at the fair.
