NDSU’s Saddle and Sirloin club is set to present the 92nd Little International Friday, Feb. 9, through Saturday, Feb. 10. The livestock show is the largest student-sponsored event on campus, with more than 300 students involved.
“This event is completely run by students. We have 25 committees, where students learn hands-on leadership skills,” said Alexander Fellbaum, the event’s manager, who is a senior majoring in animal sciences and agricultural economics from Swanville, Minnesota. “It’s important for students from all majors to get involved because they can learn and participate in the animal husbandry industry here on campus. We also have contests ranging from public speaking to ham curing.”
Friday’s events include such activities as a 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest, hippology contest, FFA agriculture sales competition, 4-H and FFA agronomy contest and FFA small animal care competition.
The day culminates with the Hall of Fame social at 5 p.m. at the Avalon Events Center, followed by the banquet at 6 p.m. Steve Brooks, a rancher from Bowman, North Dakota, will be recognized as the event’s Agriculturist of the Year.
Brooks and other family members operate Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch, raising registered Angus cattle and a variety of crops, including corn, wheat and lentils. His many leadership activities include the Slope County Crop Improvement Association, Slope County Fair board, North Dakota Angus Association board, North Dakota Beef Commission, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association board, Meat Export Federation, Certified Angus Beef board and trustee for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Activities on Saturday include showmanship preliminaries, an ag engineering show, alumni luncheon and the showmanship finals. The “Dance out of the Chips with 2M Productions” is scheduled for 10 p.m. in the Garden Pavilion.
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