More than 100 young farmers participate in annual livestock auction

On Saturday afternoon, 123 youth auctioned off livestock projects to a crowd of eager bidders who filled the Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits Barn at the Alaska State Fair.

A longtime annual event, members of the Matsu-Copper River 4-H Organization like sisters Mikayla and Mary-Jane George have raised livestock projects in preparation to be sold.

“I learned that if you don’t keep working with your cows, then they will get wild,” said Mary-Jane.

The George sisters both attentively raised young beef projects from Delta Junction, named Chestnut and Oreo.

Members who sell are also required to participate in a showmanship competition with their animals where they have the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with the judges. Thus members spend long hours handling and practicing with their animals throughout the months prior.

At the auction, Sew Sweet Minky, a specialty blanket company, bought both of the George’s young beef.

This year available animals for purchase included lambs, swine, young beef, steers, chickens, turkeys, quail and rabbits.

Each year offers a unique batch of available livestock, in years past having featured pheasants, yak and reindeer available for purchase.

Kate Deering, a senior member of the 4-H organization, sold her grand-champion rabbit pen to Wasilla’s Blankenship Farm. Claire Deering, her younger sister, sold her pen of six market quail to Graham Oakes at Graham Meats.

Members of 4-H who sold a project at the auction were required to attend at least three educational workshops before the fair.

Workshops were hosted throughout the past year and offered youth the opportunity to learn about various agricultural practices, whether related to their animal projects or not.

Luke Hay, a member of 4-H, sold his third livestock project at the fair. His blue-slate heritage turkey, “Rico,” was sold to Dr. Montano with Pioneer Peak Orthopedics.

“I went to the small stock clinic workshop,” said Hay. “I learned about biosecurity, rabbits and butchering such as how to clean your bird.”

Buyers have the opportunity to decide whether they would like to receive the animal live or processed for the freezer.

For example, Hay’s project buyer, Dr. Montano has been a long-time supporter of the livestock auction and has purchased projects to keep alive.

Charitable Buyer’s Club, a 4-H-run organization, purchases animals from the auction, has each animal processed and then donates the meat to help feed those in need.

Last year Charitable Buyer’s Club purchased a total of 12 turkeys and the youth got to pick the non-profit charitable organization and then personally drop off the processed bird. Organizations like Kid’s Cupboard, Sutton & Willow food pantries, My House and Frontline Mission received donations.

All members of the community are welcome to participate in the auction whether representing a business or not. Support can be shown in a number of ways, whether by buying animals or by giving add-ons to the sellers to support their project.

Those who sell in the auction are required to contact a minimum of four businesses to invite them to participate in the year’s auction.

Two first-time sellers at the auction, sisters Nissi and Rhema Drebert shared some of their nerves as they prepared to sell their lambs Buttons and Rumplestiltskin as they were not ready to see them go.

On Monday evening, the barn closes at 6:00 p.m. to the public. Large animals that are to be processed are sent to Alaska Meat Packers Inc. where they are then butchered.

Small livestock projects are butchered at the Palmer High School’s FFA and agricultural building, and sellers personally deliver their projects.

The Alaska State Fair began in 1936 and agricultural traditions have always been an integral aspect of the festivities. Whether auctioning off an animal or not, all 4-Hers share their agricultural projects And knowledge in a number of ways throughout the fair.

As this year’s livestock projects come to a close for all 123 sellers, members are already planning for next year’s fair as they coordinate their upcoming projects.

However, seniors like Lydia Hanson are closing the 4-H chapter with gratitude. Hanson sold her final steer project after years of selling turkeys and is thankful for all that she has learned and will take into her future moving forward.

As youth move on, many come back to support the auction as they were once supported as sellers.

In the audience on Saturday, four generations of the Donatello family were present to show their support. In honor of their involvement and support over the years, the Alaska Mill & Feed family has established a memorial scholarship that goes to members of 4-H or FFA in supporting their future endeavors revolving around agriculture and the trades.

The 4-H office is housed at the Cooperative Extension Service Office off of Trunk Road, where anyone who is interested can go to learn more about the organization and how they can support or become involved.