Green AG Goes to The Rodeo

On March 26th, the class Green Agriculture 2 took a trip to the Austin Rodeo. Ms. Young, the green agriculture teacher, took the students to watch cattle showing, pig races, and the petting zoo. The students were allowed to walk around in groups and do what they pleased. Eighth grader, Morgan Stone, explained why she thought Ms. Young took the class to the rodeo.

“Green Ag went to the rodeo because Ms. Young wanted us to get an idea of what showing livestock was like,” Stone said. “I think she also wanted us to get an agricultural feel for what raising cattle and growing crops would be like.”

There were so many fun things to do at the rodeo such as getting food, riding rides, listening to live music, watching the rodeo, watching the livestock shows, and many more events. Eighth grader, Jake Stachura, described what his favorite part of the rodeo was.

“My favorite part was watching the pig races because the pigs were super cute,” Stachura said. “I also thought it was funny when Mr. Mahoney was acting like a cheerleader for the pigs.”

Many people go to the rodeo to watch professional riders and fighters compete. The shows are very extreme and dangerous and that is what bring in all the fans. Eighth grader, Chloe Lee, explained what the atmosphere at the rodeo was like.

“The atmosphere at the rodeo was very country,” Lee said. “Everyone there seemed to have a heavy southern accent.”

Ms. Young mainly wanted to have the students watch the cattle judging. Many people from Texas and across the nation travel to Austin each year to show their animals. The Austin Rodeo hosts fifteen different livestock and horse shows. Lee explained why she would not want to raise livestock.

“I would not want to raise my own livestock,” Lee said. “I just don’t like the idea that you have to raise an animal to kill it.”

However, Stachura had a different opinion about raising livestock.

“Personally, I would love to raise livestock like chickens,” Stachura said. “Sadly, my Homeowner’s Association doesn’t allow chickens.”

The rodeo offers many family-friendly fun attractions. The fairgrounds offer a large carnival, shopping, lots of food, and a variety of shows. Stone described her overall opinion of the field trip.

“Overall, I loved the field trip, and I thought it was really fun,” Stone said. “I loved petting the alpacas, and I thought it was funny when the camel tried to eat my finger.”