Covington, VA (Sept. 1, 2026)— Gabi Woodson, a 16-year-old junior at Alleghany High School (AHS), is making waves in the world of poultry with her already impressive achievements and dedicated involvement. She is currently an officer in the Alleghany Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and is a committed member of the Rockbridge County 4-H Poultry Club. Her journey into the world of poultry began at a tender age, as she has been showing poultry since she was just six years old.
"It was probably my mom's idea when I was a little kid just to get started and involved in something," Gabi told the Journal Tuesday afternoon, "but after that, I just kind of fell in love with it and just poultry in general. I just kept at it for 10 years."
Gabi's dedication and hard work really paid off at the Botetourt County Fair in August, where she swept the poultry competition. Her accolades include 1st Place Showman, 1st and 2nd Place in the Feather Leg Bantam Division, 1st Place in the American Division, 1st Place in the Asiatic Division, 1st Place in the English Division, and 1st Place in the Mediterranean Division.
Gabi is set to showcase her skills once again at the Rockbridge Regional Fair, which runs from September 10-12 at the Virginia Horse Center. Afterwards, she will compete at the Virginia State Fair, which runs from September 26-27. These events promise to be exciting opportunities for Gabi to continue her impressive winning streak.
However, it hasn't been a walk in the park. Gabi says that raising chickens is no easy task, especially when preparing for competitions. "So you kind of catch 'em, and then give 'em a bath which, sometimes is difficult, but most of the time they like it so much, they just fall asleep," she said. "You got to blow dry 'em, and you have to get yourself ready. So there's a lot of studying that goes into it." The 16-year-old stated that one also has to know about anatomy, diseases, and what to feed chickens. For her precious poultry, that means a diet high in protein.
Unlike other competitions, poultry competitions don't judge chickens against other chickens, but against the breed standard. As such, a judge isn't able to simply pick the chicken he or she likes best but judge the chicken against the official breed guide. They judge anatomy and type, color and markings, and placements and hierarchy.
Gabi Woodson, we believe, showcases the impact one can have when dedication and hard work become words to live by. Her story is a true inspiration to young enthusiasts everywhere, proving that—with dedication and commitment—one can excel in whatever they choose, so long as they put their mind to it. |  | Several chickens were foraging nearby during the Journal's visit to Gabi Woodson's house, and we just couldn't help but capture a quick photo.
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