MILWAUKEE CO., Wis. — Jim Buttles has showed swine for the past 10 years. He’s an exhibitor at the Wisconsin State Fair and hopes to bring awards home to Glenwood City, Wis. 

“My mom is a college professor and there were three pigs cut from a research trial last minute, so she brought them home,” said Buttles. “We got hooked on pigs and have had pigs ever since then.” 

For Buttles, it’s not all about winning. He said he’s excited to meet new people and to gain experience. 

“You get to meet the people who don’t know about agriculture or swine or whatever your species is,” said Buttles. “As an exhibiter you get to teach them about whatever you’re showing. You’re the face of your industry for every how many days you’re down here.”

He said it’s special to be able to share his animals and teach a fair goer something new. 

“That may be the only time someone sees a pig or cow in their life is with you and your animal at the state fair,” said Buttles. “It’s a very unique thing going to a state fair-type show.” 

It doesn’t matter how much experience you have showing livestock at the fair; Emma Kurowick from Chippewa Falls is a new exhibiter for dairy goats. 

“Meeting all the new people,” said Kurowick. “Getting to know about goats. I don’t really know a lot about goats. So, coming to these fairs and shows, I get to learn a lot from all these judges because all they have different perspectives on all these different goats.”

Both are excited for the 172nd year and the chance to show off both their pigs and goats. 

For more information on the animals Wisconsin State Fair, click here.