Photo by Jessica Nohealapa'ahi
January 11, 2024
Bandera County hosts 88th Junior Livestock Show
By Grace Toner
The Bandera Prophet
Through the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 13, the Bandera County Junior Livestock Show Association will host its 88th Livestock Show at Mansfield Park. With origins dating back almost 90 years, the show is a treasured county tradition. This year, the show boasts 427 total entries, with 189 exhibitors.
The Bandera County Jr. Livestock Show Association (BCJLSA) began in 1936, with Medina Future Farmers of America hosting a show to choose the best animals for exhibition at the San Antonio Southwest Texas Boys Fat Stock Show. One year later, the Bandera County 4-H was founded as a basis for the show to continue to expand. The show grew, and in its third year, 1938, 140 animals were exhibited, with 23 male exhibitors participating. The location alternated between Bandera and Medina, however, the show eventually found its home at Mansfield Park in Bandera.
Exhibitors range between 3rd and 12th graders who reside in Bandera County. Exhibits vary from animals to agricultural mechanic projects. Animals include steers, goats, turkeys and rabbits, amongst 11 other types of entries. Agricultural mechanic projects range from 12 categories, and include anything from building a wooden bench or table to restoring an old tractor.
No sleeping in here, the show begins Thursday morning, starting early at 8 a.m. Various animals and meats will be judged throughout the day, concluding with Goat Showmanship at 4:30 p.m. The judging continues on Friday, and includes Cattle Showmanship and a Horse Show. The Livestock Show will conclude on Saturday with a barbeque lunch, stock show awards, and a livestock auction beginning at noon.
The mission of the BCJLSA is “dedicated to promoting youth and agricultural events, while developing strong leadership skills, educational opportunities, and responsibility.”
Kevin Meier, chairman of the BCJLSA, spoke to the impact of the program on the youth of Bandera, explaining how those involved have opportunities and get to participate in projects they might have otherwise never experienced. Referencing the small Bandera population, Meier said it may be a “little venue, but it’s a wide-open world once the kids get involved,” with many projects offered by 4-H and FFA.
More than just a livestock show, the event provides scholarship opportunities to exhibitors who are high school seniors. Meier said the BCJLSA wants to “create a fire and an interest in going to higher level education.” Some of the exhibitors have gone on to pursue careers as teachers in the agriculture field (no pun intended).
In addition to looking the future of the Bandera youth, it is also important to look back on the history and influence of the BCJLSA. With the close-knit Bandera community, stock show participation has been generational, such is the case for BCJLSA Vice Chairman James Mangold. A previous exhibitor himself, his children, his nieces and nephews have participated. Mangold has been on the Board of Directors for 20 years, and has been vice chairman for 18 years. Looking to the future, he said he hopes his family’s stock show participation will carry on to the next generation.
Meier spoke to how the agricultural community has personally influenced his life. He participated in 4-H, and then graduated from Texas A&M University with a Wildlife Biology degree. Meier began his involvement with the BCJLSA as a Lamb Committee Member and has been chairman of the association for 14 years. When asked if there was something in particular he was excited about seeing over the next few days, he said he was “excited about all of it,” and simply couldn’t narrow it to one.
Although the show may only last three days, the BCJLSA works year-round to ensure the event is a success. Mangold and Meier expressed their appreciation for the volunteers, stating the event wouldn’t be possible without them. Volunteers range from kids to adults, with some former exhibitants returning to assist, demonstrating the positive and substantive impact the BCJLSA has. Meier said he “invites the community to come out to watch the events and help support the youth of Bandera County.”
More information, including the BCJLSA stock show schedule, can be found at www.bcjlsa.com.
The Bandera County Jr. Livestock Show Association (BCJLSA) began in 1936, with Medina Future Farmers of America hosting a show to choose the best animals for exhibition at the San Antonio Southwest Texas Boys Fat Stock Show. One year later, the Bandera County 4-H was founded as a basis for the show to continue to expand. The show grew, and in its third year, 1938, 140 animals were exhibited, with 23 male exhibitors participating. The location alternated between Bandera and Medina, however, the show eventually found its home at Mansfield Park in Bandera.
Exhibitors range between 3rd and 12th graders who reside in Bandera County. Exhibits vary from animals to agricultural mechanic projects. Animals include steers, goats, turkeys and rabbits, amongst 11 other types of entries. Agricultural mechanic projects range from 12 categories, and include anything from building a wooden bench or table to restoring an old tractor.
No sleeping in here, the show begins Thursday morning, starting early at 8 a.m. Various animals and meats will be judged throughout the day, concluding with Goat Showmanship at 4:30 p.m. The judging continues on Friday, and includes Cattle Showmanship and a Horse Show. The Livestock Show will conclude on Saturday with a barbeque lunch, stock show awards, and a livestock auction beginning at noon.
The mission of the BCJLSA is “dedicated to promoting youth and agricultural events, while developing strong leadership skills, educational opportunities, and responsibility.”
Kevin Meier, chairman of the BCJLSA, spoke to the impact of the program on the youth of Bandera, explaining how those involved have opportunities and get to participate in projects they might have otherwise never experienced. Referencing the small Bandera population, Meier said it may be a “little venue, but it’s a wide-open world once the kids get involved,” with many projects offered by 4-H and FFA.
More than just a livestock show, the event provides scholarship opportunities to exhibitors who are high school seniors. Meier said the BCJLSA wants to “create a fire and an interest in going to higher level education.” Some of the exhibitors have gone on to pursue careers as teachers in the agriculture field (no pun intended).
In addition to looking the future of the Bandera youth, it is also important to look back on the history and influence of the BCJLSA. With the close-knit Bandera community, stock show participation has been generational, such is the case for BCJLSA Vice Chairman James Mangold. A previous exhibitor himself, his children, his nieces and nephews have participated. Mangold has been on the Board of Directors for 20 years, and has been vice chairman for 18 years. Looking to the future, he said he hopes his family’s stock show participation will carry on to the next generation.
Meier spoke to how the agricultural community has personally influenced his life. He participated in 4-H, and then graduated from Texas A&M University with a Wildlife Biology degree. Meier began his involvement with the BCJLSA as a Lamb Committee Member and has been chairman of the association for 14 years. When asked if there was something in particular he was excited about seeing over the next few days, he said he was “excited about all of it,” and simply couldn’t narrow it to one.
Although the show may only last three days, the BCJLSA works year-round to ensure the event is a success. Mangold and Meier expressed their appreciation for the volunteers, stating the event wouldn’t be possible without them. Volunteers range from kids to adults, with some former exhibitants returning to assist, demonstrating the positive and substantive impact the BCJLSA has. Meier said he “invites the community to come out to watch the events and help support the youth of Bandera County.”
More information, including the BCJLSA stock show schedule, can be found at www.bcjlsa.com.