South County Profile: Missy Lockie-Edwards

MISSY LOCKIE-EDWARDS

Missy Lockie-Edwards was born and raised in the North State. She began showing sheep at the Shasta District Fair at five years of age. When the opportunity presented itself to work in the livestock office nine years ago, It was natural for Lockie-Edwards to step into the position. She is currently leased to the Shasta District Fair each year by the Shasta County Farm Bureau where she has been working for the past eight years. Lockie-Edwards main job is working with the children and educating them on farming and animals. She had gained many years of experience in the livestock industry and auctions working at the Auction Yard in Cottonwood for Ellington Peek. Lockie-Edwards believes in every thing that the bureau promotes.

Over the years, Lockie-Edwards has seen many changes to the fair and the livestock sales. The beef projects have moved into a smaller barn as the swine projects have become more popular. Lambs are staying about the same and the meat goat industry is taking off. She enjoys working with the kids and seeing them with their animals learning about taking care of them.

"The kids learning how to take care and train another living thing is really important. Also for them to learn about work ethic, respect, responsibility and where their food and fiber come from. I hope that at least one child per year can learn the things that I learned growing up working with project animals," said Lockie-Edwards. "Community support is also a huge part of raising and selling animals for the fair."

Throughout the year, Lockie-Edwards spends approximately 600 hours getting ready for the fair and then an additional 200 hours at fair time getting things ready and keeping them running smoothly. She coordinates the animal housing which includes bringing down livestock pens from McArthur and Chico in addition to the ones that are already set up here. Running the livestock auction, so that it runs smoothly, along with many other tasks. Her favorite part of the fair is watching the youngsters turn into successful young men and young women. The Shasta District Fair is the largest fair north of Sacramento not including Santa Rosa.

In her spare time, which there is not much of, Lockie-Edwards enjoys donating her time to youth organizations, cooking, reading and riding horses.

Lockie-Edwards is a 1988 graduate of West Valley High School in Cottonwood. She then attended Shasta College taking classes in accounting, business and others. Lockie-Edwards has 15 nieces and nephews with whom she also enjoys spending time. She has lived in Cottonwood all her life and enjoys the people and the community support in the livestock industry.

"During the Shasta District Fair, Vic Woolery is my partner in crime. I wouldn't know what to do without him there. He is like my right arm," stated Lockie-Edwards.

Name: Missy Lockie-Edwards.

Born where and when: Red Bluff, 1969.

Occupation: Shasta County Farm Bureau and Livestock supervisor for Shasta District Fair.

Marital Status: Single

Family: More than I can count, and I love them all very much.

Pets: One dog, a corgi named Winston.

My worst job: Working graveyard shift at a gas station/mini mart.

My first job: Working at Eagles Nest Pizza as a dishwasher.

In my spare time I: Cook and read.

My favorite book: The Other Boleyn Sister

My favorite movie: The Man From Snowy River

My favorite recording artist: George Strait

My dream car: Duramax Quad Cab 2500 - blue.

My friends like me because: Who knows, I am pretty cranky this time of year.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Pizza.

The one thing I've learned in life is: Hard work will accomplish a lot.

The best advice my parents gave me: Treat people how you would like to be treated.

My most embarrassing moment: There are too many to list.

My most irrational act: Moving to Colorado.

My most valued material possession: Pictures of family and friends.

What I like best about the North State: The people.

My hero is: Ellington Peek.

My pet peeve is: Non-productive people who blame the world.

My fantasy is: To make a difference in the lives of the children that I come in contact with.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Change my weight.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: To protect its rural lifestyle and agricultural roots.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Children.