Oregon Public Broadcasting

Swine flu cases continue to pop up in the Northwest.  In Alberta, Canada, a herd of pigs caught H1N1. But that news hasn’t dampened the spirits of Northwest farm kids.

This week near Yakima, Washington a spring livestock fair is going on as planned. Hundreds of children are showing their pigs, sheep and cattle at the Toppenish Fairgrounds. Correspondent Anna King dropped in on the event.

Athena Hagins is just 16-years-old. But she wrestles a 235-pound pig like a pro.

Athena Hagins, 16, shaves the ears of a show pig at the Toppenish Fairgrounds in Washington State. She and others at the show say they aren’t too concerned about swine flu. Hagins did learn about the virus through her FFA club.

The pig’s name is Bacon. Athena is gently shaving its ears to look good for the show. The pig? Well, Bacon isn’t so cooperative.

Amid all the commotion I ask Athena if she is concerned about the swine flu?

Athena Hagins: "No. Pigs are nothing to be scared of. Like it’s kind of ridiculous they are taking it out on the pigs. If they are afraid of the pigs then they should be scared of the people who have it too. It’s really ridiculous."

Athena is a member of the Future Farmers of America. She and her classmates get regular lessons on preventing disease. So she’s careful to keep her boots clean and wash her hands. 

Near the barns there is a poster with swine flu facts. So far there haven’t been any U.S. herds of pigs infected with the H1N1 virus. The Department of Agriculture says properly cooked pork is safe to eat.

A few pens over is 18-year-old Cintia Gil. She’s says her main concern is what swine flu will do to her bottom line.

Cintia Gil: I’m just worried about the price. Because I heard it went down, cause a lot of people think it comes from the pigs. But that’s the only thing I have to worry about.

It’s show time. Both Athena and Cintia use baby wipes to give their pigs a final bath. Athena gives a younger FFA member a pre-show pep talk.

Athena Hagins: “Don’t let your pig get away from you, stay in front of the judge....”

Here in Central Washington, these farm kids are more focused on catching a blue ribbon, than catching the flu.