Ruth Flock and her father, Joe, work to prepare her goat at the Butler Farm show. Monday, Aug, 10, 2026. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

Andrew Jackson

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The Butler Farm Show was more than an experience to some of the youth who spent the better part of a year raising animals to show at the annual weeklong event.

Ruth Flock, a member of Butler County 4-H, showed goats at the Butler Farm Show, which she prepared ahead of the livestock auction to make them auction-ready.

Her preparedness paid off. Ruth went home with the first-place ribbon in her division of the goat show Monday, Aug. 10.

The Kennedy cousins, Briar and Hayes, cared for their family’s animals while at the show, working with cattle to sell at the auction. But only Briar was old enough to officially be part of the show as a member of Butler County 4-H. His younger cousin, Hayes, isn’t 8 years old yet. However, he still helped Briar with the cows in the barns.

Ruth Flock and her dad, Joe, work together to get ready for goat competition Monday, Aug. 10, at the Butler Farm Show. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

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Ruth Flock raised goats to show at the Butler Farm Show this year. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

Andrew Jackson

Ruth Flock prepares one of her goats for a competition at the Butler Farm Show Monday, Aug. 10. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

Andrew Jackson

Clover is one of the goats Ruth Flock showed at the Butler Farm Show from Aug. 10 through Aug. 15. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

Andrew Jackson

Ruth Flock worked together with her family to get ready for the goat showing competition of the Butler Farm Show Monday, Aug. 10. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

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Ruth Flock leads Resi the goat through the ring Monday, Aug. 10, during the goat competition at the Butler Farm Show. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.

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Ruth Flock won first place in her division of the goat competition Monday, Aug. 10, at the Butler Farm Show. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

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Briar Kennedy, with the 4-H program, left, and his cousin, Hayes Kennedy, attend the Butler Farm Show with Briar's steer, Jagger, Thursday, Aug. 13. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Hayes Kennedy lays atop his cousin Briar's steer, Jagger, as they wait for their turn at the at the Junior Livestock Sale during the Butler Farm Show Thursday, Aug. 13. Hayes plans to take part in the 4-H program once he turns 8. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Briar Kennedy showcases his reserve grand champion steer, Jagger, during the Junior Livestock Sale at the Butler Farm Show Thursday, Aug. 13. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown