Celebrating 100 years of tradition at SDSU’s Little International

By Ariana Schumacher Agweek

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Students, alumni and spectators filled the Animal Science Arena at South Dakota State University to celebrate the 100th Little International, March 31 and April 1.

These showmen and women worked with their livestock for only a couple weeks before entering the arena to show off their skills.

“It’s really kind of jam packed, you get about two weeks to work with them and get them ready to roll for the show,” said Bradyn Lachenmeier. “They are kind of like children, in the sense that you have to nurture them and care for them and give them, you know, feedback in a manner that they will positively respond.”

Lachenmeier is a junior at SDSU and grew up showing goats in North Dakota, but this is his first time showing a goat at Little International.

“It’s definitely exciting,” said Lachenmeier. “You know, this kind of time of the year, especially with this long winter, can kind of get slow and drawn out, but being able to do something that I truly enjoy, like working with my livestock, just really makes those days go by so much quicker.”

This year’s Little “I” had 158 exhibitors and 164 student staff members.

SDSU iNTErNATiON: Page 16