By Chris Aldridge
Kentucky Ag News

Children with special needs now have an opportunity to show livestock just like any other kid.

The Sunshine Class will enter its third year this summer at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. The lamb class, sponsored by the Kentucky Exposition Foundation, doubled from five participants in 2022 to at least 10 last year.

“Joe Goggin (a member of the Kentucky State Fair Board) came up with the idea,” Kentucky Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Warren Beeler said. “I have judged them around the country and was happy to help.”

“It was kind of a project of his (Beeler), something that’s near and dear to his heart, having a special needs child himself,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “I have a niece who has special needs. She has Down’s Syndrome, and I want her to be able to have every opportunity that every other kid has.”

Beeler became sold on the class two years ago when he enrolled his daughter in the event.

“Abby is like an infant at 32, very severe as a special needs girl,” Beeler said. “She was fusing until I tied that lamb to her wheelchair, then she smiled all the way to the truck.

“The Sunshine Class gives an opportunity for special needs kids to be really special,” he added. “It is an amazing event.”

Two other participants in last year’s event visited the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) offices in Frankfort on Feb. 6, when Commissioner Shell signed a proclamation declaring February as Lamb Month in Kentucky.

Piper Wonderlich, 9, daughter of a large animal veterinarian, is not one to shy away from the spotlight.

“It was our first year showing at the State Fair, and she loved it!” said Piper’s mother, Holly. “We missed the first year, but Warren made sure we knew about it (class) last year.”

Piper said she enjoys showing lambs. “Both of her brothers show hogs, so she’s spent a lot of time around animals,” Holly noted.

Another Sunshine class participant was Damian Barron, 12.

“His first year was last year, and he wants to do it again,” said his father, Mike Barron, a KDA field employee in the Division of Animal Health. “When he was little, he got scared by a lamb, so it took us a while to get him warmed back up.”

Damian helps his dad show cattle. Damian’s sister Sarah, 18, won the Supreme Champion Bull in both the junior show and open Charolais show at last year’s State Fair. Now Mike said he believes the time is coming for Damian to shine.

“Our main goal one of these days is for him to go out (into the show ring) in an electric wheelchair and show by himself,” Mike said.

Each member of the Sunshine Class is paired with a mentor or other junior exhibitor who usually brings the lambs.

“Sheep were chosen because of being gentle, halter broke, and the right size to not be intimidating,” Beeler said.

The increase in participation in the Sunshine Class may require expanding the class to other types of livestock.

“I have seen a Sunshine Class with pigs and goats,” Beeler said. “There is talk of expanding to the hog barn with a class, but just talk presently.

“We would like to see the lamb show increase significantly to 20, 30, or 40 maybe someday,” he added. “It has some momentum now.”

Each Sunshine Class exhibitor receives a purple champion banner.

“They are not placed; everyone is a champion,” Beeler said. “The special exhibitors just need to show up, and we do everything for them.”