The Tomball High School FFA Program is gearing up for its 34th Annual Project Show and Sale, scheduled this year for Jan. 29 and 30 at Tomball High School.

This year, more than 250 animal projects shown by over 200 students will be on display and up for sale for local buyers. Tomball FFA students will be showing 27 broilers, 34 lambs, 67 rabbits, 28 steers, 80 swine and 21 turkeys.

Beginning as early as May of the previous year, Tomball FFA students begin raising their chosen projects in anticipation of the annual show. The students raise, train, groom and care for their animal over a five to eight-month period.

“Their goal is to have their animal in the best possible condition to yield the best carcass for the consumer market,” The Tomball FFA Booster Club stated in a press release.

Each student competes in his or her respective animal category in hopes they will earn a spot in the live auction.

According to the Club, buyers represent a “cross section” of the Tomball community, including developers, business owners, ranchers, bankers and family members.

“Each year we have new buyers participate in the sale,” the Club stated. “Some buyers have been long-time supporters of the FFA program and our students. Some buyers keep the meat for themselves, some use it for company picnics or customer appreciation dinners, while others choose to donate to a local charity.”

Buyers have the option of purchasing an animal in the live auction, pre-sale or freezer sale.

Students whose projects are sold at the sale get back 90 percent of the purchase price, which the student usually uses for college-related expenditures. The other 10 percent goes back to the FFA program to help pay for equipment and upkeep of the FFA barn.

Last year, the show brought in more than $350,000 for Tomball FFA Students. Morgan Breaux’s Grand Champion Steer won her $16,000.

This year’s buyer’s barbecue will be held Jan. 30 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., while the live auction is scheduled to begin immediately after.

The show will be held at Tomball High School’ newly renovated Project Center. This 250,000 square foot facility was expanded last year to provide pens for animals on show days.

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