A 278-pound pig named Pork Chop is providing a bit of stability in the nomadic life of a military kid.

Brandon Jameson, 11, is one of three members of the Vandenberg Air Force Base 4-H Club showing swine during the 2007 Santa Barbara County Fair at the Santa Maria Fairpark. The five-day fair ends Sunday.

“I mostly did it for the joy and the experience to have a pig. Plus, I could use the money for college,” Brandon said.

His owner learned quickly that Pork Chop has some definite preferences, such as getting her belly rubbed and defeating locks placed on her pen. That's why her temporary home at the Santa Maria Fairpark has plastic ties around the standard latch.

“It was fun to be with Pork Chop,” Brandon said. “She is a real messy pig, but still she's wonderful.”

At the fairpark, Brandon's pig is sharing digs with Hammy, owned by Julie Bonneau, and Sexy, who belongs to Jewel Ramirez. Both girls also are members of the Vandenberg 4-H Club.

Pork Chop grew up in a pen at the Vandenberg stables. The owners paid for feed and medicine but could use the water and pens at the stables, which was crucial since housing livestock in a residential neighborhood isn't allowed.

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“That's been wonderful,” said Christine Jameson, Brandon's mom. “We been so grateful to have that.”

4-H volunteer leader Kristi Bonneau, a Vandenberg Youth Center employee, was involved in 4-H as a youth and she agreed to lead the Vandenberg group “so they can have the same opportunity as a local community kid,” Bonneau said.

Vandenberg's 4-H club is believed to be the only one affiliated with an Air Force base to take live animal projects to a county fair, she said.

“We move so much that (Brandon) being able to be involved in something like this is a wonderful experience, and valuable,” Christine Jameson said.

Brandon is a second-generation 4-H'er. His dad, Robert, a captain with the 2nd Range Operations Squadron, raised 4-H animals as a youth in Arizona and had a grand champion one year, she said.

The Vandenberg youth have raised the swine from a young age - and much lighter weight.

“She was way less than half her (current) size,” Brandon said.

He and his family have made daily trips to feed and walk the four-legged projects, who had to learn to follow the commands delivered by a cane in the hands of their young owners. While he led caretaking efforts, his family, including 8-year-old sister Megan, served as assistants.

Jewel said she had one more task - making sure her pig didn't bite.

Along with providing experience of caring for a pig, Brandon said, the project carried the joy of raising an animal for 4-H.

“It's taught him a lot of responsibility, that's for sure,” his mom said, adding that he has done everything for the swine.

At 278 pounds, Pork Chop's habit of pigging out nearly got her mustered out of the fair. She weighed in at a mere 2 pounds less than the maximum weight allowed.

In the fair's opening days, the pigs and their owners competed in showmanship, one of the final steps before the swine trio head to the Junior Livestock Auction today.

The 4-H'ers sent out dozens of letters inviting buyers - including one addressed to 30th Space Wing commander Col. Stephen Tanous - to purchase their pigs.

Jewel, another first-time 4-H'er, said she hopes to put proceeds from her pig's sale into a fund to buy a car.

Whether she participates in 4-H next year is in limbo - her family might move to a new assignment this year.

When the fair ends Sunday, the youth will bid farewell - all-too familiar for the children of military members who move multiple times.

As for parting ways with his pig, “I think it's going to be sad,” Brandon said.

Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com.

July 14, 2007