STOCKTON – Charlie Lehr has been involved in the Ripon High Future Farmers of America for a few years.

But, at this year’s San Joaquin County Fair, he was showing livestock for the very first time.

Lehr spent Friday getting his 132-pound market sheep ready for the Junior Livestock Auction scheduled for 9 a.m. today at the fairgrounds in Stockton.

“I’m hoping to do well (at the auction),” he said.

During the nearly week-long of fair judging, the local FFA chapter came away with a reserve supreme market lamb by Emily Hogenboorn.

“That makes Emily’s lamb No. 2 in show,” said Ripon FFA advisor Celeste Morino.

Ryan Patterson, who is the other FFA advisor, indicated that the number of fair entries weren’t too far off after the change in schedule.

Nine months ago, the fair was held in the fall as organizers of FFA and 4-H chapters were forced to adjust to their new schedule. For some, that meant fewer large livestock animals.

“It was a quick turnaround, but it was what it was – We had to make it work,” he said.

All told, the Ripon FFA delivered 17 hog exhibitors, three market lambs, two market goats, one market steer, and one market rabbit, according to Patterson.

“The only difference between this fair and the last one was that we didn’t have one market steer in September,” he said. “Our numbers weren’t too far off.”

Ripon also had 12 medium to large entries in Ag mechanics.

Those involved in the FFA and 4-H chapters can finally look forward to enjoying the rest of their summer after hanging out at the fairgrounds’ Livestock Exhibit since last Sunday.