- Author: Rachel Lipscomb
- Author: Ashley Pyler
On Saturday, 01/25/2020, we attended Dr. Mike's Speech Event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in the Clark Livestock Center. It was hosted by the Ventura County 4-H Animal Science. We were event staff, so we helped to run the event and set up as well as clean up. In addition to Ventura County 4-H'ers, other youth organizations had members present including: Future Farmers of America (FFA), Grange, Independents, and others. There were nearly 150 people who attended the event. There were 65 prizes given out.
After giving out a few prizes, Ventura County 4-H Ambassador Shelby Wright gave a speech about how to write letters and talk to potential buyers for market animals at fair. In her speech, she included her experience showing market animals. Shelby has been showing them for almost 6 years now.
Then, Dr. Mike talked about how he likes to help 4-H youth raise their market animals for fair and about the veterinary practice he owns in Somis, California. After his speech, more prizes were given away. Then his technician talked about vet check policies, livestock bio-security, routes of infection, disinfectants, physical exams, common medical abbreviations, medication withdrawal times, and a bit about fair requirements for the 2020 Ventura County Fair. Most of the fair requirements were given by Mrs. Virginia H. Reyes, Ventura County 4-H Animal Sciences Key Leader and Briggs 4-H Club Leader. After everyone's speeches, the last of the prizes were given away.
The event was super informational about how to care for your livestock properly. It taught you all of the important information about disease control. The information you learn at the event can potentially save your animal's life. You can also learn how to better compete at the fair. What we enjoyed about the event most was how you can see how passionate everyone is about 4-H and the fair. Everybody's speeches were great. All of the event participants learned a lot of new information and immensely enjoyed their experience. The event was amazing, and we advise everyone to go next year!
- Author: Ashley Pyler
On Wednesday, March 13th, Dr. Michael Giacopuzzi, DVM (nicknamed Dr. Mike), gave a speech from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to Ventura County 4-H'ers. Dr. Mike was born in 1951 and has been serving Ventura County pet owners for over 25 years as the owner of Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital, and he has been the head veterinarian for the Ventura County Fair.
The Briggs, Loma Vista, Conejo/Simi Valley, Santa Rosa Valley (SRV), Somis, Mupu, Sespe, and Chief Peak 4-H Clubs all had club members and leaders present at the event. This event was hosted by the Large Livestock Program Development Committee (PDC).
Dr. Mike and three people from his veterinary clinic came to speak about how to ensure that your large animal is ready for the 2019 Ventura County Fair in August, the rules and procedures for their clinic, and how they have helped local 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America), and Grange Youth Clubs over the years.
The veterinary team spoke at the University of California Hansen Agricultural Resource and Extension Center (UC HAREC) at 287 S Briggs Road in Santa Paula. The team gave their presentation in the Large Barn. Many 4-H members and leaders were eager to see the presentation. There were approximately 115 4-H members and leaders present at the event to catch a glimpse of the iconic Dr. Mike. There were so many people in attendance, the room ran out of chairs, so there was only standing room available at the end of the evening.
Everyone who attended the event immensely appreciates that Dr. Mike and his staff took the time from their busy schedules to come out to educate the 4-H youth about large livestock care and veterinary medicine. The time and effort that the Large Livestock PDC put in to organize and host this event is also very much appreciated. Last but not least, the event would have not have been a success without Mrs. Virginia H. Reyes (the Briggs 4-H Club Co-Leader, and the PDC Chair for the Large Livestock Planning Development Committee). The event was an enjoyable and educational experience for all those who attended.
