Livestock auction is pinnacle for 4-H youth at state fair

PALMER — The 2010 4-H Jr. Market Livestock Auction will be held noon Saturday at the Farm Exhibits Building arena at the Alaska State Fair. Preview is at 11 a.m.

The auction provides an opportunity to support local and statewide 4-H, as well as Alaska Grown agriculture, by buying a lamb, steer, goat, hog or small livestock. It is sponsored in part by Matanuska Federal Credit Union.

Lee Hecimovich, Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District youth development agent, said the 4-H Market Livestock Project and Auction are popular and long-standing traditions in the Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District and at the Alaska State Fair.

“Each year, many youth learn valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, animal care, health and nutrition, showmanship, public relations, and many other areas,” Hecimovich said. “Many have gone on to establish breeding programs, further competitions, college study and even life long careers based on their experiences.”

She said the projects also give youth the opportunity for positive character building in the areas of responsibility, respect, caring, trustworthiness, sportsmanship, and citizenship.

Funds received from the sale go to the individual 4-H member to pay for his or her investment in the project and support the members’ continued project expansion or education. A small fee is collected by the district livestock committee from the funds received by the 4-H member to help cover the expense of putting on the sale and to support youth activities and scholarships.

People may sign up starting at 11 a.m., with lunch provided by the Palmer Lions Club. Purchased animals can be used to fill a freezer with locally raised meat, or be shared, used for a special or business event, kept as a pet or breeding stock, or donated to a favorite charitable organization.

A donation to the 4-H Charitable Buyer’s Club is an opportunity to make a contribution to youth and the community without incurring the full cost of an animal. The donation, in any amount, will help to support youth involved in Alaska agriculture and purchased animals are donated to local food banks.

The 4-H animal exhibits will be on display in the newly asphalted Farm Exhibits Building, with livestock shows concluding today. Labor Day afternoon will include 4-H Fun Day, with children’s games open to all.

The 4-H Building is open daily with a wide array of 4-H exhibits from around the state, as well as 4-H and Cooperative Extension Service information.