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  • Empire student Kevin Womack waits as Jacobi Coffey strives to push a wheelbarrow with Womack inside during the Farmhand Olympics. Derrick Miller

    Farmhand Olympics

  • Central High FFA student Amy Benton prepares to run with a hay bale during a competition in the Farmhand Olympics. Derrick Miller

    Farmhand Olympics

  • David Couch with the Empire FFA practices milking during the Farmhand Olympics. Derrick Miller

    Farmhand Olympics
August 29, 2010

Agriculture spirit

Area FFA students compete in Farmhand Olympics

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — They’re not your typical Olympic events, but at the Stephens County Free Fair, the Farmhand Olympics feature the games that best capture the spirit of agriculture.

Several of the area FFA Chapters took part in the Farmhand Olympics on Friday at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. And the FFA members found themselves running with leaking buckets of water, racing wheelbarrows and hauling bales of hay to compete against other teams.

Each team was made up of four to seven FFA students. Each had to have at least one person from the opposite gender, who could compete in each of the five events.

Caleb Plett, Duncan FFA sophomore, said he enjoyed the Farmhand Olympics and was glad he was able to take part in the event this year.

“It’s the funnest thing ever,” Plett said. “I’ve never done it before, but it’s a lot of fun.”

He said he also enjoyed being able to get out of school to have fun competing.

Plett said he enjoyed FFA and was looking forward to taking part in the swine show, which was slated for Saturday.

After a team competed in an activity, the team rotated to another station. The team was judged based on how the team did as a whole. It was up to team members to get their fellow team members motivated into doing his or her best.

In some instances, one team member could either greatly help or hinder their team.

Lora-Lynn Loomis, Central High FFA sophomore, said she was excited to compete with her team and had fun because she was doing it with her friends.

“I love it,” Loomis said. “I love doing this.”

Loomis has competed in the Farmhand Olympics before, but she said it’s an event that never gets old. She said the experience is an enjoyable one.

While many of the other FFA students show animals and were set to do so in Saturday’s various animal shows, Loomis said she doesn’t show animals but is still an active member of FFA. She said she does land judging.

Loomis said FFA has been fun and has provided her with opportunities, including competing in the Farmhand Olympics. She said she enjoyed taking part in each activity.

“My favorite one (activity) is the water (bucket) one,” Loomis said.



— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.

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