Separating the sheep from the goats
The start of school is still about a month away, but there is already a buzz at Madison High School’s Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP).
There’s also a lot of mooing and bleating.
That’s because the animals have already arrived at many of the barns on campus.
There are dozens of sheep, goats, pigs and steers in their respective barns. And students are already showing up daily to put in the work needed to care for the animals.
Senior Hailey Hunt is taking care of a lamb named Driver.
She’s been part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) since seventh grade.
“I wish I could have done this when I was little,” said Hunt. “It’s just a very family-oriented organization. I have learned a lot.”
Hailey and nearly 100 other students swing by the barns in the morning and tend to their animals in the evening.
Hailey takes Driver on walks. She feeds him. She’s also responsible for cleaning out Driver’s pen. Hailey and Driver also like to play chase with a bright pink and green volleyball.
It’s a lot of work, but Hailey understands what it takes to succeed in this program.
“We’ve got to start early and make sure these lambs are show ready,” said Hunt. “You don’t want to buy a lamb in August and have a really green lamb. You have to start early, so you have a well-rounded lamb. Something the judges are looking for.”
Lamb barn instructor Mac Wetzel and Goat barn instructor Cheree Leita are also on campus over the summer to help guide Hailey and the others.
But their animal expertise isn’t all they are offering these students.
“I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am here today without them,” said Hunt. “They have built me up and pushed me outside my comfort zones so that I can strive in the FFA world.”
Hailey has tried a couple of different pathways in AMP and agribusiness is where she has found her passion. She hopes to attend Texas A&M after graduation and appreciates the head-start she has already gained by being in AMP.
