Editor’s note: This is the third in the series “State Fair Stories,” where we visited with youth exhibitors at the Missouri State Fair from Aug. 11 to 21 about their projects and experiences. Check out today’s Show-Me Life blog for a fourth story. Then return next week for the final three exhibitor stories.

While it may be Brody Belt’s second year showing sheep in the 4-H division at the Missouri State Fair, this Caring Clovers 4-H’er has been in the green benches ringside in the Sheep Pavilion since birth.

Brody is the fourth generation to exhibit at the state fair, a tradition that dates back well over 40 years. Like many kids who grow up around the livestock show arena, he had to wait his turn. Unlike others, though, it was a little more painful.

The 11-year-old from Shelby County is the second-to-youngest child of Travis and Jessie Belt of Leonard, Mo. He is one of five siblings — his older sister is a junior in high school. While Brody ventured into the show ring to help set feet during open shows, he says having his own sheep is simply fun.

Bucking the trend

Brody chose to show Shropshire sheep. His family has a long tradition of exhibiting the Southdown breed at local, state and national livestock shows. But his older brother, TJ, started the Shropshire breed, and Brody bought in.

“They are definitely bigger sheep,” he says. “I thought they looked cooler.” For Brody, showing sheep, no matter the breed, is about family and friends.

The entire Belt crew spends the summer traveling to their home fair in Shelby County, along with Monroe and Audrain counties. Then it is on to the Missouri State Fair, followed some years with a trip in November to the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.

“I love hanging out with friends that I’ve met at shows,” Brody says. “We have a lot of fun.”

Budding business

Back on the farm, the siblings are about raising quality breeding sheep and producing lamb for customers.

They started a Facebook page Belt Kids Southdowns & Shrops in 2021. Here, they showcase winnings in an effort to sell breeding stock to other exhibitors. They also use it as a marketing tool for selling lamb direct to consumers.

As a family full of entrepreneurs, Brody has a side project he wants to pursue — pumpkins. “I’d like to grow and sell some pumpkins,” he says. “I think it would be fun to add to our farm.” There appears to be no rest for this active family. Still, Brody says sheep will always be a priority.

While it may have seemed like a long time before entering the show ring at the Missouri State Fair, Brody came out a winner this year with the Grand Champion 4-H Shropshire Ram — named No Brainer — making the wait worth it.