NDSU’s Saddle and Sirloin club is gearing up to host its biggest and longest running tradition of the year, the Little International Livestock Show, set for Saturday, Feb. 14, in NDSU’s Shepperd Arena. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the largest student-sponsored event on campus.

Linnea Axtman, a senior business administration student, is serving as Little I Queen on the royalty court alongside Little I Princesses, Windy Jacobson and Montana Martinson.

“Serving as the 100th Little International Queen is truly an incredible honor, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” said Axtman, who is from Fargo. “It’s humbling to be part of a tradition that has carried on for more than a century, and to represent a show that means so much to the NDSU community. Little I showcases the dedication, community and pride that define the animal agriculture industry here at NDSU, and I’m proud to help uphold and celebrate that legacy this year.”

The annual livestock show features showmanship classes of beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats, as well as lamb lead, ham curing and public speaking.

The event also honors an Agriculturist of the Year to commemorate an individual who has not only excelled but also contributed substantially to the agriculture industry. This year’s honoree is Jim Kirsch, a research technician in animal sciences who has dedicated over 40 years of his career to NDSU. Kirsch will be honored during a banquet on Feb. 13.

The theme of this year’s Little I is “Living Shepperd’s Vision,” as a testament to those who started the Saddle and Sirloin club and Little I event.

“It calls us to think about how we are not only living his vision and continuing the values he nourished all those years ago, but also how are we creating our own visions for the future,” Axtman said.

Reflecting on the longevity of the event, Axtman said she thinks about all the time and effort students put into Little I every year.

“It is an incredible testament of the dedication to the show from the students, school, community and alumni,” she said. “It’s truly impressive to see how much effort goes into every aspect of the show and how many behind-the-scenes tasks must come together seamlessly. It’s inspiring to watch how diligently everyone fulfills their responsibilities, and it serves as a great real-world lesson in project management and communication.”

This year’s show manager is Taiton Axtman, and the assistant manager is Koen Helmuth, who have both spent months planning and coordinating the details to bring the event to life. They also guide the 25 committees involved in running the event and support over 150 students who are showing animals.

Axtman has been involved in Little I for the past three years, showing animals and serving on several committees. She originally joined Saddle and Sirloin after learning about the club from friends. Since then, Axtman has made lifelong friendships and has taken a part in valuable opportunities that have made her NDSU experience memorable. Axtman also appreciates how students from any major can join Saddle and Sirloin, making it an inviting atmosphere for anyone wanting to be part of the community.

When thinking about Little I, Axtman enjoys working with fellow club members and seeing all the behind-the-scenes work that takes place to make the event successful.

“When I look back, the moments that stand out the most aren’t the results — they’re the memories made in the barns. I think most contestants would feel the same way,” she said. “There’s something special about those late nights, the bitter-cold days and the hours spent brushing, training and preparing our animals side by side with friends. The laughter, the jokes, the small victories and even the frustrations all became part of stories I’ll carry with me forever. Those days in the barn are where some of my most meaningful friendships grew, and they remain the heart of what Little I means to me.”

To learn more about the Little I show, check out the Saddle and Sirloin website.