Siblings Matt and Makayla Gilliam are preparing their chickens for the 2015 Leon County Youth Livestock Show that will be held Thursday, April 9 – Tuesday, April 14 at the Leon County Expo Center.

Matt and Makayla received 81 baby chickens on February 25. They are currently culling the chickens to pick out their best six; three for each to show at the County Show. The family agrees that it is a family project each year.

“It is definitely a family project. We all have to help each other to get the job done,” mother Jennifer said. “Matt and Makayla does a great job with their show animals, but we have to help them some too since they are involved in other activities.”

The money that the siblings make each year from the County Show is split evenly between the two and put into a college fund.

“We do get a little bit for spending money,” Makayla added with a smile. “But, most of it goes into our college fund.”

Matt, a sophomore at Buffalo High School, has been involved in Buffalo 4-H since he was in the third grade. Over the past eight years he has shown a variety of animals including goats, rabbits, steers, and chickens.

“I really enjoy the County Show every year, especially if I make the sale,” Matt said. “Raising the different types of animals over the years has also taught me a lot about responsibility.”

Matt is also a member of the Buffalo FFA. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is currently in the Top 10% of his class. He also plays football, basketball, and baseball for the Bison.

Makayla is an eighth grader at Buffalo Junior High. She started showing in the third grade. She showed goats for two years and has shown chickens for the past four years. Makayla is also an active member in the First Baptist Church Youth Group.

“I like hanging out with my friends each year at the County Show,” Makayla said. “I also enjoy earning money each year.”