Amy Garges
What is your agricultural role:
4-H Educator, Stock Show Mom, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Livestock Association and the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation, co-chair of the Jack 0' Lantern Jamboree Youth Sheep & Goat Show, PA Farm Show Market Lamb & Market Goat Chair, KILE Beef Committee volunteer
Farm Name:
Garges Girls Farm, Garges & Son Welding (sheep equipment), Garges Girls Designs (beaded jewelry)
City and State of which you live:
Telford, Pennsylvania
Questions:
Are you superstitious? What is it?
You don't switch gunslingers in a gunfight - you don't switch headers and heelers once a team has won a class!
Who has been your biggest influence in the agricultural industry?
My dad always has been -- showing us how to do things the hard way, on a small scale as a passion -- with blood, sweat, and tears. He is a living example of getting to know people, earning their trust and getting big things accomplished by buckling down and putting in the work, banging on the doors, etc. If you want to see something, get done, be willing to volunteer and step in and do the required (not glamorous) jobs in order to make the big dream a reality.
What is your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Just sitting back and watching the animals -- especially the lambs! Of course, snuggling the lambs!
What is your most prized award you have won? Why was it so meaningful to you?
Winning Champion White Lincoln Ewe at the National Lincoln Show at the Big E in 2022. We only brought 2 Lincoln ewe lambs and my husband and daughter left before the show, so I got to show with my brother-in-law, and I ended up in my first ever backdrop photo with our own sheep that we bred and raised!
What is your favorite show/sale? Why?
The Big E has always been my favorite. There is so much to see and do while you are there and of course I love all the food! Throwing beads off the Mardi Gras float with my brother-in-law, Isaac and our sheep barn friends is always a highlight! From judging leadline, to trivia questions, to wine slushies, to a trip to First Aid -- Big E is where some of my fondest memories have been made at a sheep show!
What has showing livestock taught you?
It's one person's opinion. You may think you are going to hands down win a class and be last or think you will be lucky to make top 5 and end up Champion! There could be a totally different result next week. You try your best and have fun with your friends and family.
Advice to Others:
What is a piece of advice you give to those individuals who are part of the livestock industry?
Keep showing up and do what you say you are going to do. Be willing to get dirty and put in the work. It sounds cliche but it's crazy how our industry is still so male dominated and how hard it can be for a female voice to be heard. They want us to do the "woman" jobs -- secretary, communications, social media posts, event planning -- but are quick to dismiss on important topics. So, we keep showing up and doing the work -- and stick together to make our voices heard and more importantly to keep the industry moving forward.
