From Our Farm to the Show Ring: Piney Woods Learners Experience the Mississippi State Fair

• 

• 

• 

A gift to The Piney Woods School’s livestock program became an opportunity for learning beyond campus when our learners participated in the Goat Show at the Mississippi State Fair on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The show goats donated by State Representative Lance Varner, owner of Varner Farms in Florence, Mississippi, and his wife are now part of our competitive livestock program. Their contribution connects learning on our farm with opportunities to gain experience in the show ring.

For our families, this experience offers a closer look at how agricultural education helps children connect knowledge with practice—and how community partnerships can broaden the opportunities available to them.

A Partnership That Opened New Doors

According to Farm Manager James Graham, the connection began when Representative Varner reached out to discuss potential collaboration with Piney Woods. The donation followed as a demonstration of the family’s commitment to supporting our learners.

One goat was produced through embryo transfer and the other through artificial insemination. Mr. Graham emphasized the quality of their genetics and the opportunity they present for students interested in competitive livestock projects.

“These animals provide our students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with competitive livestock projects at a level that would otherwise be difficult to access,” he shared.

The gift also creates a connection between practical animal care and the science behind livestock breeding, giving learners more to explore as their agricultural knowledge develops.

Learning That Extends Beyond the Show Ring

Competitive livestock projects give purpose to the preparation that happens before an animal enters the ring. They create opportunities to explore how consistent care, thoughtful handling, and attention to an animal’s needs contribute to readiness for showing.

For learners, these responsibilities offer lessons that reach beyond agriculture. Caring for an animal calls for patience and follow-through. Preparing for a public event encourages focus. Representing a school brings an opportunity to practice respect and composure in a new setting.The State Fair provided a setting in which those lessons could connect with the wider agricultural community.

Growing Through Experience

For parents and families, agricultural experiences like this help illustrate the practical side of a Piney Woods education. Your children have opportunities to encounter new responsibilities, learn alongside others, and discover interests that may shape their future studies or work.

The show goats are part of that continuing process. They provide a foundation for livestock projects that combine scientific knowledge with the daily commitment involved in caring for another living thing.

• 

• 

• 

“I look forward to continuing to develop this partnership and am excited about the positive impact it will have on our agricultural education program and the experiences available to our students,” Mr. Graham said.

We are grateful to Representative Varner and his wife for helping make these opportunities possible, and to the staff who guide our learners through them. From our farm to the show ring, these experiences give our children meaningful ways to learn, take responsibility, and grow.

Read how the show goats first became part of our agricultural program.