ATLANTA (October 16, 2014) | The Georgia State Senate team, captained by Sen. John Wilkinson (R – Toccoa), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, fell just short of “bringing home the bacon” at the 2014 Legislative Livestock Showdown on Saturday, October 11, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. The fourth annual event, an entertaining showmanship competition between members of the Georgia State House and Georgia State Senate, was co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
“I am so proud of the 4-H, FFA and Senate members who participated in the Legislative Livestock Showdown at the Georgia National Fair in Perry,” said Sen. Wilkinson. “They did a great job. As Chairman of the Agriculture Committee it was my responsibility to find five senators willing to participate. The fact that all five of them took their time on a Saturday to participate is a strong indication of their support for young people and agriculture!”
In a departure from previous years, the legislators were judged on swine showmanship skills rather than cattle showmanship skills. Legislators were paired with a 4-H or FFA member who coached them on technique and presentation that morning before the show. During the livestock show, legislators individually presented their own hog for judging in the arena based on the knowledge and best practices taught by their 4-H or FFA coach.
The Senate team was represented by Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Sen. Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge), Sen. Don Balfour (R – Snellville), Sen. Nan Orrock (D – Atlanta) and Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga).
The Georgia House team was eventually named the winner of the 2014 Legislative Livestock Showdown. The traveling trophy will now reside in the office of House Speaker David Ralston until the 2015 event.
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For Immediate Release:
October 16, 2014
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Emily Williams, Communications Specialist
Emily.williams@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028