SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo stock show season has officially kicked off. Friday, the ag mechanics competition started, with students displaying their farm mechanics to compete for the number one spot.
Future Farmers of America (FFA) describes agricultural mechanics as people who work in farming technology and help farmers work more efficiently. They also test machine systems, troubleshoot problems, perform repairs on machinery and maintain equipment to keep productivity high.
Thanks to this event, students ranging in age from nine to 18 get to compete against other young mechanics, display the projects they work on for months and learn from other mechanics at the event.
“It's exceptional, we’re super excited to be able to facilitate that learning opportunity for these kids. We are helping these kids and providing an opportunity for them to build life skills that will move past the classroom and carry on into their adult lives,” stock show event specialist Morgan Hodges said.
There were 1,268 teams who entered the stock show but only 364 teams attended.
It took 17-year-old trailer mechanic Clayton Curl four months, and a lot of money, to build his trailer by hand. He currently attends Frederiksberg High School and travelled 4 hours to make it to San Angelo.
"To build this trailer, it was right under $50,000. My grandparents funded me and I had to work over the summer to pay for all of it. I love making trailers, it's always fun. I'd probably do it the rest of my life if I can keep doing it," Curl shared.
The San Angelo Stock Show has been around since 1954, and is a big part of West Texas tradition.
Ten-year-old Ethan Roberts grew up surrounded by stock show competitions and won showman of a rodeo competition in Houston.
“My dad helped me with this one and my Ag teacher helped me on the last one. They help me a little bit here and there on stuff that I haven't learned yet but I pretty much did all this by myself," Roberts said.
As this competition lives on, it continues to benefit farmers who need more farming equipment and young students who have a passion for agriculture.
More information can be found on the San Angelo rodeo website.
