On Saturday, 01/25/2020, we attended Dr. Mike's Speech Event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in the Clark Livestock Center.  It was hosted by the Ventura County 4-H Animal Science. We were event staff, so we helped to run the event and set up as well as clean up.  In addition to Ventura County 4-H'ers, other youth organizations had members present including:  Future Farmers of America (FFA), Grange, Independents, and others.  There were nearly 150 people who attended the event.  There were 65 prizes given out.

After giving out a few prizes, Ventura County 4-H Ambassador Shelby Wright gave a speech about how to write letters and talk to potential buyers for market animals at fair.  In her speech, she included her experience showing market animals.  Shelby has been showing them for almost 6 years now.  

Then, Dr. Mike talked about how he likes to help 4-H youth raise their market animals for fair and about the veterinary practice he owns in Somis, California.  After his speech, more prizes were given away.  Then his technician talked about vet check policies, livestock bio-security, routes of infection, disinfectants, physical exams, common medical abbreviations, medication withdrawal times, and a bit about fair requirements for the 2020 Ventura County Fair.  Most of the fair requirements were given by Mrs. Virginia H. Reyes, Ventura County 4-H Animal Sciences Key Leader and Briggs 4-H Club Leader.  After everyone's speeches, the last of the prizes were given away.

The event was super informational about how to care for your livestock properly.  It taught you all of the important information about disease control. The information you learn at the event can potentially save your animal's life. You can also learn how to better compete at the fair.  What we enjoyed about the event most was how you can see how passionate everyone is about 4-H and the fair.  Everybody's speeches were great. All of the event participants learned a lot of new information and immensely enjoyed their experience.  The event was amazing, and we advise everyone to go next year!