Farm Fest celebrates agriculture, youth, and community

KENANSVILLE — Duplin County Farm Fest, a weeklong celebration of farm life, took place last week as a joint venture between the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and Duplin County. The farm fest kicked off on Sept. 7 at the Duplin Livestock Facility with a petting zoo, cowboy church and a rodeo.

The next day, Monday, a farmers’ appreciation lunch was held followed by a hay bale decorating contest on Tuesday and a 4-H art and photography contest display on Wednesday at the Duplin County Extension office. The last three days of the event featured livestock shows at the facility with a swine show on Thursday, a goat show on Friday, and lamb and heifer shows on Saturday.

Duplin Journal dropped in on Friday’s goat show and spoke with a couple of participants.

Mary Grace Baker, who will be 17 in October, made a three-hour trip with her family to participate in the show. She has been showing goats since she was in the third grade. She sees her role as having changed from just a participant to that of a mentor to younger goat raisers.

“I like getting to help others and help them find the joy I found in it, helping them to do their best and succeed,” Baker told Duplin Journal as she readied her entrant into the show.

Delany Davis, a 13-year-old participant from Wayne County, has been showing goats since she was 8 years old.

“Personally, I just enjoy it,” Davis said. “I like the people around it and I like the animals. I think it teaches responsibility. My sister is only five and she knows how to raise, feed and water the goats. That’s pretty cool.”

Delany’s sister, Bailey, was showing her favorite goat named Daisy at the event. Parents and relatives of the young participants praised the family-friendly atmosphere and the respectful attitudes of both organizers and competitors. All of the livestock shows during Duplin County Farm Fest were part of the Eastern Carolina Showmanship Circuit.