GFB AWARDS PRIZES TO GA JR. NATIONAL LIVESTOCK GRAND CHAMPIONS Article & Photos by Jennifer Whittaker The 31st Annual Georgia Junior National Livestock Show (GJNLS) grand champions didn’t win their titles by accident. The six winners have a combined 41 years of showing experience between them. For the tenth year, Georgia Farm Bureau sponsored the cash prizes and coveted belt buckles for the species grand champions of the GJNLS held in February at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. GFB President Tom McCall and GFB Field Services Associate Director Clay Talton traveled across Georgia May 24
through June 3 to personally present this year’s grand champion winners with their belt buckles and prize checks. McCall and Talton visited with the champions, their family members, and 4-H agents or FFA advisors who were able to attend receptions hosted by each champion’s county Farm Bureau office. “Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to support the Georgia Junior Livestock Program,” said McCall. “We’re proud of the work these kids put into their animals with the day-today care of them. These livestock projects
help prepare 4-Hers and FFA members for the responsibilities they’ll have as adults. We hope the positive experience they have showing livestock will make them want to pursue jobs in agriculture or to be farmers.” About 1,560 Georgia 4-H and FFA members exhibited 2,534 animals at the 2021 GJNLS. Meet the six grand champions on the following pages. Visit www.gfb. ag/21gajrshowpics to see photos of the grand champions being recognized at their county receptions this spring.
MARKET GILT Makinley Duke Calhoun County 4-Her Makinley Duke captured the $1,500 grand champion market gilt (young female) prize with a pig named Karma. The daughter of Kelli and Jackie Duke of Leary, Makinley has shown hogs for six years. “I watched Charlotte’s Web, and I told my dad I wanted a pig,” Makinley said when asked how she started showing. “I’ve been working with Karma since around November. We have a long driveway, and I took her down and back up three times a day. I worked showmanship with her, too. She is very sassy. She loves to eat boots and brushes.” Makinley was a sixth grader at Lee County Middle School when she won the award.
18 Fall 2021
Georgia Farm Bureau News
