[dropcap]P[/dropcap]articipating in the Hays County Livestock Show and Expo (HCLSE) is a tradition Dripping Springs resident Jeff Dodd passed down to his children.
As the years went by, Dodd’s three sons, whose interest was spurred by Dodd, not only completed their projects and obtained money for college, but also gained life skills along the way.
Now as a member of the HCLSE Board of Directors, Dodd hopes to continue advocating the show in order to hold on to the agricultural roots of the region.
“I think we’re losing some of the agricultural background in Texas,” Dodd said. “This gives a lot of our kids an opportunity to see the process and to stay involved with the roots of the community.”
The HCLSE, which officially kicked off Saturday with the annual horse show, will feature 1,500 total entries that span multiple categories that include livestock, agricultural mechanics and home skills. Exhibitors come from only Hays County, Dodd said.
Helping manage the expansive show is a 25-member board that Dodd said helps “divide and conquer.”
Every species that is shown has a superintendent that helps set up pens, line out specific classes, and eventually run the show.
“They are responsible for micromanagement of the show,” Dodd said.
Over the years, participation levels have ebbed and flowed, Dodd said. Participation roughly three to four years ago was higher than today.
But the show has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 30 years, Dodd said, who himself participated as a youth in the 1980s.
Nita Leinneweber, who is part of the board, said participation has grown “across the board” in nearly every category.
That includes the homeskills category, which features food, arts, crafts and clothing and even photography. From there, each category is further split into specific classes that youth participate in.
With a variety of categories and classes, both Dodd and Lenneweber said participants often compete in multiple disciplines at the same time.
Help from the family, and the community, guides participants through the process.
McKenna Hawkins, a member of the Buda 4H and princess in the HCLSE queen’s court, said participants rarely compete in projects alone.
“You always have the community surrounding you, always helping if you have questions,” she said.
Financial support for youth that participate in the show is what has grown significantly over the years, Dodd said. Within auctions held at the show, the HCLSE has sold over $600,000 per year, with 100 percent of the money going back to the participants.
Funds then go to the exhibitors, who then use the money for additional expenses for a project. Many, however, opt to place a portion of their winnings away for “college or higher education,” Dodd said.
Grace Baxter, a member of the Dripping Springs FFA and a duchess in the queen’s court, said there are a variety of scholarship opportunities, both through FFA and 4-H, as well as through the shows that help with college.
But Dodd said the event goes beyond the image of showing livestock. For Dodd, it’s helping the next generation learn “life skills they can take on” for their future endeavors, regardless if it involves agriculture or livestock.
Baxter said learning about work ethic, not only in “the big picture” but also on a day-to-day basis, was one of many skills learned through participating in the show.
Other skills learned are leadership, responsibility, time-management and communication.
“It’s something for you to work for every single day,” Baxter said. “It’s something beneficial you can take with you to college.”
Outreach is also another component for the HCLSE. Dodd said the Queen’s court plays a primary role in getting the word out for the show. FFA and 4-H programs help with outreach by volunteering during events such as the Buda Trail of Lights.
Baxter said she and her sister co-founded “Center of the Plate,” which is a non-profit organization that helps families in need.
“It also shows kids how much livestock, animals and agriculture in general can help feed so many people and have a beneficial impact,” Baxter said.
For Dodd, the show is also a community event, one that allows today’s youth to interact with their neighbors. While he hopes passing the show is a tradition that follows generations of families, working to get new involvement is also important.
“The more we can get them involved, the better off those kids will be,” Dodd said.
