QUEEN CITY, MO -- Meet 18-year-old Matthew Starbuck of Queen City. Agriculture has always been around him thanks to his dad’s strong background in raising pigs. When he was 8 years old, he began raising and showing pigs with the Downing 4-H Group and to this very day, he continues with the Schuyler County FFA. He says pigs are special animals.
“They’re pretty smart, and they make me money. I like doing it, it gives me something to do and take care of them,” Starbuck said.
In the past 10 years, Matthew has shown his pigs and hogs at the Queen City Pioneer Days Livestock Shows and has won awards such as Showmanship, Grand Champion, and 1st Place in Rate of Gain. Behind all that is a lot of hard work and responsibility from Matthew.
“All I have to do is feed and water them and make sure they are in the pen. When they are little, you have to make sure they are healthy,” Starbuck said.
Over the years, Matthew has also shared some funny and embarrassing moments with his pigs.
“I was 8, and it was my first show, I was getting ready to get into the show ring when one of my gilts peed down my leg. It peed a lot. I was just a little guy at the time, so it was from the hip down. I was just wet. The judges guessed what happened I’m sure,” Starbuck said.
Matthew says he has grown to appreciate agriculture and has helped shape him into the person he is today.
“It’s taught me to be responsible. If I want something, I’ll work hard to get it. It gives you a good work ethic which is important out in the real world,” Starbuck said.
Not only does Matthew raise pigs, he also raises cattle and sheep. He plans to go either to welding school or to college and study Ag business.
Congratulations Matthew on being this week's Ag Kid.
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