Painted pig walkers make world better

PALMER — The Alaska State Fair Livestock Pavilion stood empty on Monday afternoon. There were empty stalls as far as you could see — both for poultry, bunnies and all other farm animals. Dust danced in the weak sun rays. There was a tiny sound echoing through the giant space and in the large emptiness were four young people painting pig walkers.

What’s a pig walker? Good question. It isn’t a walking device for elderly or handicapped pigs. Instead it is like a steel crib, which is placed around a 500-pound hog and used for transporting the animal safely to stalls and shows. The pig walks inside the crib and the handlers hold the steel crib around the animal.

Back to the story about the painting of these contraptions. So here are four teenagers carefully and methodically painting the large walkers. They are from the Big Lake Backyard 4H Club. Jessica and Emma Bergstrom and Aurora and Andrey Streltson. They are focused on their task, which is a community service project.

So, why, I ask, do you need to paint these pig walkers? Emma responds with a smile, “The pigs will look more fashionable.” Ahhh. It’s all about image. But really it is not, if you think about it.

Pig walkers are painted.

Painted walkers make pigs look more fashionable.

Smart looking pigs fetch a higher price at auction.

Auction proceeds allow 4H club better return.

Better return allows for more purchase of product for other activities.

Other activities include shooting and swimming and jam and pie workshops.

Pie workshops result in better pie making skills.

Pie making skills result in charitable donation of pies to people who can’t afford pies at Christmas Time.

People who can’t afford pies are happier and feel cared for by community.

Community is a better place that makes our whole world better.

And it all goes back to the painted pig walkers.

Neither Jessica nor Emma show pigs, so this whole thing isn’t in self-interest. But they do show goats, specifically a male Alpine Nigerian Dwarf mix, named Paddington. And they have a broad breasted white turkey too.

And although they don’t show pigs, they get the whole community service thing. “It shows we’re invested in the Fair. And we like the prep, “ Jessica says. She is a Career Tech student and likes to volunteer. And although she doesn’t know it, her selfless pig walker painting will help make the world better. Thank you Jessica, Emma, Aurora and Andrey.

Barbara Hunt lives in Palmer.