Evergreen Fair volunteer keeps the cows content

MONROE -- Anne Lowe wears multiple hats during the Evergreen State Fair.

She's a member of the Fair Advisory Board, and a fair volunteer for the past 25 years. She's an advisor for the Future Farmers of America chapter at Monroe High School, helping 18 students show their animals during the fair's first six days.

The positions complement each other, Lowe said. It helps her tell fair organizers what young people want to see at the fair.

"I get to know their needs, so they can be represented," said Lowe, 49.

Lowe has two daughters, 17-year-old McKenna and 11-year-old Teegan, who show their animals at the fair. But she also is like a second mother to the rest of the students.

"She makes sure everyone is happy," McKenna said.

During the fair, Lowe starts her day around 5:30 a.m. and she finishes around 10 p.m.

Lowe's main job is to make sure all the animal events and some of the contests run on time.

Her work with the FFA is year-round, especially between July and August. As an advisor, she teaches students how to take care of their animals and how to prepare them for exhibition.

"I want students to have an appreciation of agriculture and where their food comes from," Lowe said.

"She is just that person everybody gravitates toward," said Larissa Ablutz, 15.

Ryan Hall was a student of Lowe's before he transferred to Snohomish High School. The 15-year-old said he only cared about horses until Lowe helped expand his interests to other animals.

"When I joined the FFA, I thought there was no way I was showing animals," Hall said. "Now I show dairy (cows) and pigs. She taught me the basics of running a farm."

Lowe has been one of his biggest influences in his dream of owning a dairy farm, he said.

Lowe just wants to be like the teacher she had in Olympia who inspired her. "I love my job. It's a great place to be," Lowe said.



Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.