This is the first in a multi-part series about the Livestock Enrichment Program offered by the Red River Valley Fair Foundation.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The journey began on April 28 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, where kids in the Livestock Enrichment Program got to meet their animals for the very first time.
Of all the available pigs, goats, and lambs, 12-year-old Frankie Gendron was assigned, primarily, to care for Pumpkin the lamb.
“I was really excited, but all the lambs were kinda just scared because there was a lot going on,” she recalled.
16-year-old Sarah Thomas received Gilligan the goat.
“The ear tag I drew did not exist – so we had to filter through all the goats and be like, ‘Which goat does not have a person? Ok, this one’s Gilligan,’” she said with a laugh.
13-year-old Corinna Hagen was matched up with Petunia the Pig.
Each of them were hoping to make a good first impression.
“I was pretty anxious because my whole summer kinda relies on this animal,” said Hagen.
Since then, their relationships have only strengthened, as they feed, clean, exercise, train, and pretty much spend many of their discretionary hours ensuring the well-being of each creature.
“She comes out here every day – on the weekends we’re out here probably 90% of the day – very little time spent at home these days,” said Frankie’s mom, Misty.
The somewhat sobering reality of the LEP is that it culminates in the livestock being auctioned off at the Fair in July.
This means that even as the children grow closer to their charges, they’re always aware that there is a finite end to their relationship.
“You really do build a relationship with the goat, and you get really attached to them. It’s like having a child. You love that goat,” said Thomas.
Frankie and Corinna are mentally preparing themselves for that day.
“My parents are always like, ‘Do you want to do it? You’re going to have to say goodbye,’ and I’m like, well, yeah. It’s the circle of life,” said Hagen.
Sarah, on her fourth run through the program, already knows that it’s not going to be easy.
Despite that, though, all three say they’re grateful for the skills they’re learning and they’re pumped for the weeks that still lay ahead.
“It’s just something I’m excited to do every day,” said Gendron.
We will have more chapters in the Barnyard Beginners series throughout the month of June, and we will conclude with a retrospective after the animals are auctioned in July.
4-H, Barnyard Beginners, care, Corinna Hagen, farm animals, Frankie Gendron, LEP, livestock, Livestock Enrichment Program, PROGRAM, RED RIVER VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS, RESPONSIBILITY, Sarah Thomas
