by Taylor Massey
For those in the dairy industry, attending the World Dairy Expo is monumental. Experts from around the world attend to share ideas, improve their operations, and show their dairy cattle at the week-long event. Junior Addison Tharp, who is an active member of the Republic FFA chapter, competed at the show and placed 14th in one of her divisions.
The World Dairy Expo took place in Madison, Wisconsin, from October 2-7. Tharp competed twice at the show: once in the International Jersey Show and again in the Intermediate division for Showmanship. She placed 2nd in her heat and 14th overall in Showmanship, as well as 41st in the International Jersey Show.
Typically, Tharp spends her time for FFA working on her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), which is Dairy Placement. Her SAE is a self-guided project which consists of her raising and showing cattle, as well as working for and volunteering with local dairies. Completing an SAE is required for all members of the National FFA Organization, as it is designed to prepare students for a career in agriculture.
Attending the World Dairy Expo was a unique experience for Tharp, especially in comparison to local shows. She had never been to the international event before, and unlike most shows, the expo has a strong emphasis on education and innovation within the industry. This gave Tharp an opportunity to meet a wide variety of people, and ultimately fostered a sense of community among participants at the event.
“I was able to meet new people not only from around the country but from all over the world with whom I share the same passions,” Tharp said. “I created friendships and connections that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
The show also impacted Tharp on a personal level, changing her view of the dairy industry.
“Going to the World Dairy Expo really grew my passion for the industry and showing cattle even more than before,” Tharp said. “I am looking forward to this next show season and I am extremely excited to see where this will continue to take me and all of the other amazing opportunities I will get to experience.”
Tharp competed on another big stage last week at the FFA national convention. She represented Missouri in the FFA dairy handlers competition in Indianapolis.