The 95th West Lampeter Fair - “Through the Eyes of the Garden Spot FFA at Lampeter-Strasburg High School”

Every year when the trees begin to change, the crops come down, while the tents go up, we celebrate the West Lampeter Fair from September 25th to the 27th. Parents and children from all around come to enjoy the fun games in tents, mouth-watering food, and local agriculture projects. In those three days, a lot happened for the Garden Spot FFA chapter from the Lampeter-Strasburg High School.



This year at the West Lampeter Community Fair, 14 Garden Spot FFA members had exhibited such projects as Market Swine, Market Goats, Market Lambs, Market Steers and Dairy Beef. Our chapter had entered a tractor and corn. Jessica Herr entered hay and received best of show and Maddie Whispell entered art for the fair. During the Market Swine show on Wednesday the 25th, Jordan Martin had received 2nd in his class, Owen Risser had placed 1st place in his first-class and 2nd place in his second class. Tobias Leaman, hogs exhibited by Stephanie Mays, had placed 3rd place and 4th place in his market classes. Leah Welk had placed 1st place and 2nd place in her classes, Gracie had placed 3rd place and 4th place in her market classes. and Jr. FFA member, Jaclyn Martin had received 2nd and 3rd place in her market classes.

Later that day was the Market Lamb show where more of our members had exhibited, Leah Welk received Grand Champion Lamb and Grace Hess had received 3rd and 4th place for her lambs. At 6:30 pm the Market Goats show was held, and Leah Welk had received Grand Champion, and Katie Ranck had received 4th place twice and 6th place for her goats. This year the Garden Spot FFA had collectively invested 320 community service hours at this year's fair, with helping at fair setup, our food stand, and with fair tear down. Countless members also helped at our food stand through fair. This year our food stand started selling sausages on a stick, and those did pretty well.

Wednesday night was also the coronation of the West Lampeter Community Fair Queen.16 girls had represented different clubs from Lampeter Strasburg High School, and our Chapter President, Jessica Herr, represented our FFA chapter and was crowned2019 West Lampeter Community Fair Queen. Jessica will represent the West Lampeter Community Fair at the state contest in January.

On Thursday, our chapter participated in Upperclassmen Livestock Evaluation Contest. Also attending were Hans Herr FFA, Pequea Valley FFA, Grassland FFA, and Manor FFA. One of the competitions we did was a tug of war where L-S had won the championship tug of war battle. Thursday evening, the Dairy Beef and Market Steer show was held where 7 of our members had placed within their classes. 

In the Market Steer show, Jordan Martin had placed 2nd twice within his classes, Jaclyn Martin had placed 3rd and 4th within her classes, and Jared Risser had placed 2nd twice within his classes. Exhibiting in the Dairy Beef section of the show, Tyler Stoltzfus placed 2nd and 5th in his classes, Bryce Good placed 1st and 2nd within his classes, Alexis Rohrer placed 2nd twice and received Champion Novice Showman within her classes. Danae Ranck received Grand Champion Dairy Beef and Champion Senior Showman.

On Friday the 27th, the underclassmen had a judging day where they had seen 6 classes as well. The judging took place so that current Agricultural education students can learn more about how to judge animals and crops. Judging is when the students have a chance to place the animals that are in that class that they are in. Friday evening also holds the Youth Livestock Auction. 

 Fellow FFA member Tobias Leaman was diagnosed with bone cancer early this summer. Due to his condition, he was unable to continue care for his two pigs. FFA members took on the responsibility of finishing his market hog project. Tobias’ pigs were sold Friday evening, with the understanding that all proceeds would return to the family to cover medical expenses. The community raised over $20,000 to go towards Tobias’ future and medical expenses for the Leaman Family. 

That night the Manor (Penn Manor High School), Garden Spot FFA chapters and 4-H members gathered together to be there for one another in a time of need and a time to support a fellow student. This was a true example of community and family.

An additional special thank you is to the following local companies and individuals who collectively invested $39,250 in Garden Spot FFA Youth Livestock Exhibitors at the 2019 West Lampeter Community Fair. Thanks to them, these hands-on learning projects are made possible! These include JR Rentals, Fulton Bank, Star Rock Farms, Welk Pride Farms, James Kreider, Kreider Mulch, Risser Grain, Herr & Leaman, McMichael Transport, Ag Parts Limited, Univest Bank, R&J Consulting, Hostetter & Hostetter CPI, Friends of Garden Spot FFA, Wolgemuth Auction, Garrett & Atalie Weaver, Drew Estate American Tobacco Experience, Gannon & Kristen Graby, Hess Mills, Stone Hurst Farms

By Stephanie Mays, Garden Spot FFA Reporter

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