(Nearby) Farm to Table

Students don’t think about where their hamburger came from in a school lunch. The routine is the same every day and it’s easier for most students to just ignore the question entirely. Now though, they can know that the meat they’ll eat is fresh—courtesy of their classmates.
A handful of Glenrock youth were recognized by the school board at their meeting on Aug. 8 for their success at the Converse County and Central Wyoming Fairs showcasing a variety of animals. Converse County School District #2 received several animals from their students as donations to be used as school lunches.
According to the board, they were donated one steer and one pig from Converse County as well as five cows, seven pigs and two sheep from Natrona County. This will be two years worth of stock for the school’s food services. School Superintendent Coley Shadrick thanked all of the students in attendance for their contributions by raising these animals and nurturing them.
“Not just only are we eating your guys’ stuff that was in Glenrock and Glenrock schools, but it also saves the district a lot of money. So I appreciate all your help,” he said.
Shadrick appreciated the opportunity to directly thank all of the students in attendance for the work they did. For the kids who aren’t showing at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, this is the end of the road for their work with 4-H for the year.
They get to reflect on the skills and lessons they learned ahead of next year’s fairs. MacKenna Harris was one of those in attendance for the meeting, along with her sisters Danika and Kaylee.
“It teaches you responsibility and discipline, but it also teaches you work ethic and sportsmanship. It’s just like a sport but more in-depth—and with another creature,” MacKenna said. 
All of the kids said that they had trouble selling their animals because of the connections and attachments that they build over the months together. While they make sure to name each animal that comes across their farms, it doesn’t make it any less difficult to part with them.
Danika Harris was one of the students whose animal, a pig in her case, will wind up in school lunches in the near future after finishing sixth place in market.
“I think it’s actually kind of funny. They’ll just be eating it, not thinking of where it came from and I’ll be like, ‘You’re eating my pig,’” Danika said.
The kids joked together that at least they knew where the meat they’ll eat is coming from and that is was raised with care. In attendance with the Harris sisters were several families, including the Loyds. Tyne Lloyd came after showing pigs at the fair where she earned second place in market and third in showmanship.
Bailey Mueller also came to represent herself and the work she did at the school board meeting. She proudly described her swine that finished in fourth and sixth place at the market, as well as the third overall placing in showmanship. The showmanship finish was her greatest point of pride from the fair. The only difference between the state fair and the county fairs is the elevation of competition.
Everything gets tougher and their competitive natures kick into overdrive. No matter how well they do at the State Fair, these kids are working for something more. They’ll be back next year with different animals, maybe even trying out new and different species.
In the end, it’s not just about the glory. It’s about the work, the experience and the knowledge that they made their classmates lunch possible.