91st National FFA Convention & Expo

This 2018 national FFA proficiency finalist shows the exotic side of agriculture. There are many FFA members who can say they grew up with livestock, whether it’s cattle or pigs, sheep or chickens. Not many can say they cared for llamas and peacocks in their childhood, however. One of this year’s Specialty Animal Production Proficiency Award finalists grew up with these exotic animals and incorporated them into her FFA experience. Cassidy Hacker of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter in Minnesota said her father started the family’s llama operation when he bought a pair for her mother. When Hacker was 3 years old, she started caring for the llamas. A few years later, around kindergarten age, Hacker acquired the peacocks. “I went to an exotic bird sale with my dad,” she says. “They were so beautiful. I fell in love with them and decided I wanted to raise them.” Hacker is known as the Llama Girl in her area because she brings the llamas to community events. “I bring the llamas to county fair,” she says. “I bring [...]