Manatee County has a rich history in celebrating Farm City Week. Each year this week is filled with agricultural events and celebrations for the community to enjoy. One unique event is the Manatee County Farm City Week Beef Workshop and Prospect Show. This event was started in 2004 as a response for the need to further educate the youth in the county participating in beef breeding and market steer projects. The goal of this event is to develop an educational workshop to assist the youth with learning the proper care for their livestock projects as well as how to properly prepare and show their project animal(s). Each year the workshop committee, made up of volunteers from 4-H, FFA and the Fair Association develop curriculum based on one of four major program areas. Those four program areas are reproduction, health, nutrition, along with products and marketing. The youth with less experience also receives further instruction on showing and preparing their animals for show. Following the workshop the youth are provided a lunch that has been donated by the Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association since the programs inception. The afternoon is completed with a prospect show open to only Manatee County 4-H and FFA members. The only cost to the youth is the entry fee for participation in the prospect show or workshop. The money from the entries is used to offset award costs. The committee seeks out community support to enhance monetary awards and prizes. Each participant walks away a winner regardless of how they place in the show. If anyone is interested in sponsoring this event you can contact Christa Kirby @ ccarlson@ufl.edu for more information. Spectators are welcome to come watch the prospect show on Saturday, November 16, 2019 t at 1:00pm at the Mosaic Arena at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. Admission is free. Entry for Manatee County 4-H and FFA members can be found by clicking this link 2019 Beef Workshop and Prospect Show Information

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