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I’m Ava Long from Cedar, Iowa, and I attend Eddyville- Blakesburg-Fremont Jr./ Sr. High School. I am 16 years old and the daughter of Clint and Ashton Long. I am blessed to have two brothers, Weston and Wyatt, who show alongside me and share the same love and passion for the livestock industry. Goats have always held a special place in my heart, and this year’s Iowa State Fair was truly a dream come true. I have been showing goats at the Iowa State Fair for the past five years, and winning both the 4-H Market Goat and Breeding Goat show this year is something I will always be incredibly thankful for. It is a dream I have had since I first started showing, and to finally see it become a reality is one of the biggest blessings of my showing career. This achievement did not happen overnight. It has taken countless hours of

hard work, dedication, early mornings, long days, and learning from both the good days and the difficult ones. I am so thankful for all of the people who have believed in me, pushed me, taught me, and helped me get to this point. Along with my goats, I have also been fortunate to have success in the Iowa State Fair FFA Heifer Show, winning the Supreme Breeding Heifer title two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. Every accomplishment has taught me something new and pushed me to work harder for the next goal. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to do what I love, compete at a high level, and share these experiences with my family. More than the titles and banners, I am thankful for the memories, the lessons, and the people who have been beside me every step of the way. This win is something I will always be proud of and grateful for. ●

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