Buchanan County Fairgrounds host Barn and Beyond Livestock Showcase

EASTON, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Buchanan County Fairgrounds hosted the first Barn and Beyond livestock showcase.

Barn and Beyond is a multicounty group aiming to give young agriculturalists the opportunity to learn valuable showman skills.

Participating youth could showcase a variety of livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry. They would then present their livestock before judges for a chance to win awards.

Events like these help train the next generation of agricultural professionals, according to show organizers.

"These are the next generation of agriculturalists, and when they're coming here, they're networking with people. They're learning leadership. They're learning responsibility," said Barn and Beyond Committee President Clay Sloan. "They're growing themselves, not only just their animals and their competitiveness, but they're growing themselves as young adults."

The livestock showcase comes after the Buchanan County Fairgrounds were recently renovated. Members from surrounding counties were invited to attend and support youth interested in agriculture. Building community is part of the design of livestock shows for those in charge of the grounds.

"So it's part of the design, I think, and forage, and livestock shows that you meet your neighbors who are kind of like-minded and share philosophies," Cheri Morton, the Buchanan County Facilities Director, shared. "So friendships are made here, both with youth and parents and grandparents. So it's very cool to see it taking place."

The Barn and Beyond showcase will continue with a series of socials and events until it wraps up on Monday afternoon. For information on showtimes and events, visit https://www.barnandbeyondshowcase.com/ or see Barn and Beyond on Facebook.