Sanders takes home FFA Market Lamb honor at State Fair

Phoebe Sanders of Eagle Grove has been hoping to “walk across the street” at the Iowa State Fair for years. This walk refers to more than a casual stroll; it is actually what competitors call it when they win one of the top livestock honors at the fair and get to display their animal in the Hall of Champions. This year, Phoebe’s dream came true when she won Reserve Grand Champion in the FFA Market Lamb category.

            Phoebe, who just graduated from C-G-D High School, explains that she has been showing livestock for years. She’s been in 4-H since she was in fourth grade and FFA since she could join as a freshman. With older siblings also showing livestock, it was a family activity that she also got involved in. She says that initially, she showed pigs and was pretty successful with that. She eventually met Ty Allen, the owner of Allen Show Lambs. Phoebe credits Allen for helping her get started showing lambs, which she has been doing for the last 5 years, and over the next few years, won her division and got Grand Reserve in the lightweight division.

            This year, Phoebe entered her lamb named Big Al in the wether market lamb category. He was from Al Schminke Livestock of Iowa, and at 142 pounds, was classified as a heavyweight.

For the full story, see the Aug. 22nd edition of the Monitor.