Courtesy Photo | The Anker family pose for a photo after their pig, Precious Banana shown by Joel,...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - It took a family to raise an award-winning pig.
Indiana Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Renee Anker realized that after her family raised a pig from April to August 2011 that won the grand champion gilt at the Indiana State Fair, Aug 8.
"It's bonding time; it's how we all get together," said Anker, a mother of five, and first sergeant of the 738th Medical Company headquartered in Monticello, Ind.
The family, who lives on a farm in Wolcott, Ind., raised the pig, nicknamed Precious Banana. Like a family a pet, getting a pig ready for show requires chores three times per day said Anker. The chores include bathing, brushing, walking and feeding the pig.
"She was like a dog, and she liked her treats - jelly beans to gummy bears," said Anker. The Ankers took turns caring for Precious Banana, and gave her treats to reinforce good behavior.
Weighing in at approximately 320 pounds, Precious Banana, a mix-breed pig sporting black and white skin, won at the White County Fair in July.
Joel, 15, Renee's son, showed the pig at county level, and has been showing pigs for five years. He's won White County reserve grand champion twice.
After county, it was then onto Indianapolis for the state fair where Precious Banana beat out roughly 800 to 1,000 pigs.
"It was nerve wracking," said Joel of showing a pig at the Indiana State Fair. "There were so many pigs." In addition to the amount of pigs, there are rules to showing a pig: the pig must stay between the judge and the person showing the pig, and the person showing the pig must keep a constant eye on the judge and the pig.
Aside from the stress endured at state level he said he had a good time winning.
"It was awesome. There were so many noises," he said. "It's like you're a rock star with all the constant [camera] flashing and everybody congratulating you for all your hard work."
Joel's mother also said the state fair was fast-paced.
"It was a good time, but it was hectic," said Anker of the four showings at the Indiana State Fair. Precious Banana won three classes before being named grand champion gilt.
The morning of the final showing brought the Ankers some troubling news. Through neighborhood friends they heard winds had left their farm in disarray. The wind moved seed boxes and other farm equipment from one side of the farm to the other, said Anker.
"Going to the state fair is a huge family event because it involves the whole family, and even the community," said Anker, a veteran of two Iraq deployments. Her neighbors, who knew the Ankers were nearly 90 miles away, cleaned the farm and had it neat and tidy upon their return.
Sometimes winning takes a family and a community.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2011 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 75982 |
| Location: | INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hoosier Guard soldier has part in award-winning pig, by MSG Jeff Lowry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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