Growing the Future of Agriculture: Meet Julia Marino

At My Learning Farm, we believe it is important to celebrate and support the hardworking young people who are helping agriculture continue to grow. One of those remarkable young people is Julia Marino.

Julia has been involved in 4-H since she was five years old. Now a sophomore at Lincoln High School, she is an active member of the school’s FFA program. Over the years, Julia has raised and worked with goats, steers, alpacas, chickens, and many other animals. If it involves livestock, chances are Julia has done it!

I have known Julia since she was seven years old, and I cannot think of a more deserving young woman to support. She has been showing goats and steers for seven years, developing valuable skills, confidence, and a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with raising animals.

This year, Julia is bringing a replacement Boer goat to the Gold Country Fair. A replacement goat is raised with the potential to become part of a future breeding herd, although it may also be raised as a market animal. Looking to add a new friend to your farm? Through this project, Julia is gaining hands-on knowledge about animal care, breeding, livestock management, and the agricultural industry.

“My favorite part of agriculture is working with livestock and learning the responsibility that comes with caring for animals,” Julia shared. “Agriculture plays a very important role in my life, and I want to continue being involved in the agriculture industry in the future.”

Julia plans to attend Cal Poly and study agricultural business. “I hope to build my experiences in agriculture and eventually pursue a career in the industry.”

Young people like Julia are the future of agriculture. Their livestock projects teach responsibility, perseverance, financial management, problem-solving, and compassion. Behind every animal brought into the show ring are months of early mornings, long evenings, daily feedings, training, cleaning, and care.

This is why My Learning Farm proudly invests in youth agriculture. When we sponsor or purchase from a young person at the fair, we are supporting far more than one livestock project. We are encouraging a young person’s education, confidence, goals, and future.

If you are considering purchasing an animal or sponsoring a hardworking youth, please join us at the Gold Country Fair Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Auburn. Come support Julia and the many dedicated young people who are planting seeds for the future of agriculture—one animal, one project, and one dream at a time.