COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County School System FFA Chapters - Alcovy, Eastside, Indian Creek, Newton High and Newton College and Career Academy - have about 19 students interested in showing pigs and will need sponsors for the 2019-2020 Pig Show Season.

The 2019-2020 Pig Show Season will run from October 2019 to February 2020.

"We believe it is a great opportunity for the community to gain locally raised pork, while also assisting a student with an incredibly rewarding project," NCCA Agriculture Education Teacher Marcus Pollard said.  "I challenge anyone to identify more responsible students than those that choose to exhibit livestock animals.  Daily care and dedication teach much more than how to raise a pig."

There are three ways to become a sponsor:

Sponsor the student for half of their pig (purchase animal): The sponsor will pay a flat fee of $250 for the initial purchase of the pig, and the student would pay for the feed during show season. 

At the end of the season, the pig will be split 50/50 between the sponsor and the student. The sponsor would also pay half of the processing fee at the end of the show season - the fee depends on weight.

Sponsor the student for half of their pig (feed option): The student will purchase the pig, and the sponsor will pay for feed for the pig for show season. Feed varies in cost but typically, feed costs $60 a month during the show season, beginning in October. 

The sponsor has the option to write one check for $300 at the beginning of the show season, or the sponsor can do five payments of $60 for the show season. Payments will start in October and run through February. At the end of the season, the sponsor will only pay half of the processing fee - the fee depends on weight.

Fully sponsor the student: The sponsor will purchase the pig for $250 and will buy the feed for the pig for a total amount of $550. The pig will belong to the sponsor, and the student will show the pig. 

At the end of the season, the pig will belong to the sponsor, and the sponsor can do whatever they'd like. If the sponsor would like to send it off with the others for processing, the FFA Chapter will handle it. The sponsor will be responsible for the processing fee at the end of the show year - the fee depends on weight. 

The sponsor can either pay $550 at the beginning of the show season, or the sponsor can pay $250 at the beginning of the season and pay $60 each month for feed.

The pigs will vary in weight from 250-285 pounds in February, and sponsors can expect to get roughly 70%, or 175-200 pounds (88-100 pounds of pork when split), of meat. 

The sponsor may request the meat to be cut however they'd like.

"Livestock projects are so much more than just having an animal. Our students are learning hands-on the importance of teamwork, responsibility, work ethic, leadership and much more," NCCA Animal Science Teacher Cecily Gunter said. "These projects can become expensive for students when you take into account the cost of travel, hotels, show equipment, etc. Without the help of sponsors, our Show Team would not exist."

To become a sponsor, email Gunter at gunter.cecily@newton.k12.ga.us.