The Piggest Sacrifice
Pigs of all colors, shapes and sizes decorated the fluffy, soft floor of the official Livestock Pig Barn at the Orange County Fair. The smell of wet wood and sweaty onlookers lingered near the pig pens while the ginormous beasts slept peacefully in the humid, hot weather. In the farthest left corner of the barn, the sun illuminated three young men playing chess next to the dusty pig pens.
Sunny Hills High School students Samuel Ibarra, Lucas Kang, and Andrew Kim have sacrificed their mornings and nights, precious study time, and social lives during their spring semester, raising their very own pigs to be showcased at the Orange County Fair for judges and spectators alike.
As part of the Future Farmers of America Youth Organization, they have nurtured, fed and trained their Berkshire pigs for the past four months as part of a volunteering effort for their agriculture class at Sunny Hills.
The three young FFA members dedicated part of their summer to showcase the pigs as well. From Monday to Sunday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., they monitor the pig barn, cleaning the aisles and feeding the pigs twice a day.
Students in the FFA Organization are given the option to choose their piglet in class and raise them on campus.
The students strongly agreed raising their own pigs is a responsibility and a commitment. The pigs eat 6 pounds of corn-based pig feed pellets per day, have their pinewood bedding cleaned and changed on a regular basis, and require daily interaction to become social with people.
“You have to be willing to commit a lot of time; don’t expect too much,” said Andrew.
Lucas, 16 years old and an incoming junior, shyly explained that in order for a pig to be awarded the honor of the blue ribbon from the judges, he or she must have certain physical qualities other than a good personality.
“We control the pigs with a pig stick,” he said quietly, gesturing to the shiny, blue stick, “we move the pig around so the judges can look for defined muscles, square shoulders, a wide chest, a thick bone structure and good mobility.”
This coming Saturday, the pigs will be auctioned off for meat to independent farmers once the fair is over.
The three students knew in advance that their pigs would be sold off to slaughterhouses when they signed official documents four months ago in class.
“I mean, it sucks knowing that they’re going to be used for meat because you get attached to your pig,” said Samuel.
The pigs will be auctioned on an average of $2.50 per pound. The students will receive full monetary compensation from the auction.
Lucas’ pig, Bo, weighs in at 303 pounds, and is the heaviest pig in the OC Fair pig barn.
“At first, I didn’t like him,” said Lucas as he leaned against the railing, peering over at Bo, “he would steal his partner’s food a lot.”
“He loves apples and has fat cheeks,” laughed Lucas, shaking his head, “I just got attached a week or two ago because I got used to him,” he continued, “I’m scared of having another pig with a different personality.”
Andrew, 17 years old and an incoming senior with three years of prior experience in the FFA, said he did not enjoy his experience with his unnamed pig this year.
“I didn't name him because I didn’t like his personality,” he stated bluntly, “he was very unresponsive, violent, and only listened to me when he was in a good mood.”
“I won’t miss him,” he concluded.
17-year-old Samuel Ibarra feels very differently about his pig, Lily.
“She has a great personality,” he gloated, petting her lovingly, “she follows me around and wags her tail. Lily goes by example and follows other pigs, she’s not a leader.”
When asked about auction day, Samuel simply stated, “I’m going to really miss her, but the world needs bacon.”
