4-H and Future Farmers of America showcase animals and petting zoo provides interactive experience at the San Mateo County Fair

For 17-year-old Elena Whitemore, who participates in the Future Farmers of America program, the experience of raising market rabbits was eye-opening. 

“I feel like it definitely connects you more with the agricultural lifestyle,” she said. “For me, I’ve never had rabbits before, so every day I was learning something new with them. And it was just overall interesting to be able to raise a new animal.” 

Lisa Arvin, Competitive Exhibits and Livestock supervisor, reiterated the positive impacts that programs like 4-H and FFA can have on students’ lives — teaching them responsibility, advocacy and hard work. 

“I am a big advocate for kids taking on responsibility, advocating for themselves. We are a very unique fair, because we have the kids very involved. They run a lot of the shows,” she said. “The cattle they have [for] almost a year, — 10, 11, 12 months — and they’re taking care of them morning and night.”

Another FFA participant, Mallory Donegan, said that her experience raising pigs, which were displayed at the San Mateo County Fair showcase, allowed her to push herself and exceed her own expectations. 

“It’s probably taught me a lot of hard work and dedication to them,” she said. “Overall, just working with them and understanding them a little bit more, as well as myself — pushing their limits, as well as mine, especially in the show ring — I can see myself improving over the last couple of years.” 

In the barn area, fair attendees can also meet baby goats, a young colt and its mother horse and even baby rabbits. The majority of full-grown market animals at the fair will go to auction beginning Saturday night, Arvin said. 

Overall, the experience is helpful in preparing 4-H and FFA participants for the real world, she said, assisting them in their confidence and public speaking and keeping them busy throughout the year. 

“I’ve watched kids come out of this barn, and the success these kids have,”Arvin said. “You can get the basics in school, but you’re going to get the common knowledge and the common sense, doing things like this.” 

For younger children — and any fair attendees looking to interact directly with animals — renowned fair vendor Fabian’s Petting Zoo and Pony Rides is a short walk away from the barn. 

Fabian Jimenez, owner and operator of All Smiles Entertainment — the group that runs the petting zoo — said watching visitors interact with their bevy of miniature goats, dairy goats, miniature cows and donkeys and even an alpaca is the highlight of his work. 

“That’s what makes my job the best, coming over and showing them the experience, like in the petting zoo, showing them basic care for the animals,” he said. “There’s people who never have the opportunity to come close to a goat. They’re just with dogs and cats. So bringing the farm to them makes a really good part of their [visit].” 

The petting zoo travels to fairs throughout California and other western states, Jimenez said, but the San Mateo County Fair remains a favorite each year. 

“We love the weather here, and the people are very welcoming,” he said. “The fair management is really good to us, and we look forward to doing this fair every year.”