Makayla Chenard is the president of the Parrish Community FFA Chapter, located in Manatee County, Fla. She exemplifies what it means to wear the blue jacket as an FFA member.
Chenard showed her livestock projects at the Manatee County Fair this past week. Her heifer and steer projects earned her wins for her final show.
The Cracker Barrel Cattle
Chenard started showing livestock in 2024. Although her first steer wasn’t the greatest, she admitted, the experience prepared her to be a better showman. She still had much to learn but knew what she was in for.
Using her profits from her first steer, Chenard bought Toby, a Charolais cross from the SD Cattle CO, last February. Toby was also an “In God we trust x monopoly” cow. In addition to this project, Chenard also had a heifer project. She worked as a waitress at Cracker Barrel to fund her livestock projects, paying for them by herself. Over the past year, Toby and Chenard attended five circuit shows around Florida. Toby would regularly place first in his class at these shows.
Building Up to the Big Win
When Chenard first bought Toby, he would eat 20 pounds of Sunglo calf grower daily. Their daily routine consisted of Chenard washing and walking Toby. After the 2024 Manatee County Fair, she knew she wanted to work hard to place in all areas with both her steer and her heifer.
And that’s exactly what she did.
By the 2025 Manatee County Fair, Toby was eating 50 pounds of Sunglo calf grower daily; Chenard was ready.
Starting the week, Chenard’s heifer placed third in the class, and Chenard secured her place as the fifth overall senior showman. Her anticipation rose as steer load-in approached. Once Toby was at the county fair, the duo’s success began.
On Jan. 16, Chenard and Toby stepped into the arena. After their first round, she learned they had advanced to the final drive. During the final drive, Toby was named the 2025 Manatee County Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Chenard was ecstatic as this was the biggest honor she had received during her show career.
Her hard work paid off as Chenard and Toby stepped into the arena for the final time on Jan. 17. She placed as the third overall senior showman.
