Visit a county fair in Louisiana, Missouri, or Nebraska and you’ll likely find John Crawford, a 15-year-old Big Pool resident, showing off his beef cattle for a championship ribbon or banner.

The Broadfording Christian Academy ninth grade student and member of the Washington County 4-H Chapter does more than show off his cattle and sheep every year at the Washington County Agricultural Fair and Exhibition.

He travels with his family and friends across the country to participate in many large-scale fairs and festivals. Aside from the aforementioned states, he’s been to Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, to name a few.

“These are big shows with all kinds of breeders,” John said of the events he attended. “It’s a big organization. I do about 15-20 shows a year. It’s a lot of fun.”

John said he travels to states between eight and 25 hours away, hauling between six and 10 beef cattle to compete.

“I know a lot of people across the country,” he said. “I know a lot of people at the shows I go to.”

Because John spends so much time on the road, he virtually attends his classes at Broadfording Christian Academy.

Its curriculum includes health, physical sciences, US government, geometry, and English.

Besides school, farming and exhibiting his cattle is John’s main focus.

“Cows and agriculture, that’s it,” he said. “Right now, I started breeding and I have two calves. I do real breeding.”

John’s family rents a farm in Clear Spring, where he keeps and cares for his animals.

“I go there every morning at 5 a.m. and every evening at 5 p.m.,” he said. “My mother helps feed the animals.”

John’s dad does all the cooking when they go to the various fairs and festivals.

“He’s in the parking lot preparing the food,” he said. “Mom drives on the weekends.”

John said he liked to show off his beef cattle.

“It’s like an addiction,” he said. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

John’s animals represent the world to him.

“Just like people, I have a connection with them,” he said. “They have a personality. I like spending time with them.”

John is the son of Stacy and Jason Crawford of Big Pool.

Student Standout is a weekly column highlighting local students who make an extraordinary contribution to their school or community. To nominate a student, call 301-791-7591 or email [email protected]

Sherry Greenfield is the education reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools and the Washington County Board of Education. Follow Sherry on Twitter at Sheina2018 or Instagram at beckmangreenfield.