Library packed for OYEA coffee

PRESCOTT – OYEA, or Organization for Youth Education in Agriculture, hosted Thursday’s community coffee, which was sponsored by the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.

The community room at the Nevada County Library was packed with fans and supporters of the program. OYEA is a non-profit organization that provides animals to school-age children to show at the county and state fairs, along with other livestock shows. Fred Harris, one of the founders, said the program recently purchased a trailer to haul livestock to and from shows. The trailer cost around $40,000. The Prescott School District, he said, bought a truck and allows the OYEA program to use it. The trailer was bought with donations from Hines Trucking, McDonalds, Farm Credit, the Bank of Delight, Farmers Bank, Farmers Bank Foundation, Tyson, Express Rx, the Prescott Family Clinic and the Ross Foundation.

At this time, he said, there are about 45 students in the animal science program with around 25 showing. The school recently added a seventh grade introduction to animal science course for younger students interested in learning about animals.

Students get to select the kind of animal they want to show and are responsible for making sure it’s properly cared for. Harris said the program is selling all its sheep to focus more on goat genetics, hogs and cattle. It will also be keeping the rabbit program as it’s popular among the younger students.

Donations help fund the program as does the sale of sausages and pork chops. Each year OYEA holds a banquet for the students. This years banquet will be Nov. 4 at the Barn at Willow Oaks.