By Frances Y. Spencer
The Advocate
Alaina Leet didn’t seem intimidated by the size of the Lamar-Dixon Arena or all the COVID-19 precautions. She was prepared and masked, but if the seventh grade poultry showman got a little nervous, she only had to look over her shoulder for mom. Jessica Leet knows everything about Alaina, and, fortunately, a good bit about chickens.
The pandemic brought a lot of changes to the 2021 South Central District Livestock show, but for the “livestock families,” it was a familiar place full of the traditions that go back generations. Some families specialize in dairy cattle or market hogs while others do a little bit of several types of breeding and showing. Passing down the love and skill of showmanship comes as natural as learning to cook or drive.