The hardest part: When the fair ends, it’s a tough goodbye for 4H kids

PALMER — It’s the last day of the fair. Young Isaiah Krause is lying in the sheep pen with Jumbotron the 140-pound sheep. These are their last quiet and private moments. Isaiah says the Jumbotron is snuggling a lot more today than normal.

In less than an hour, all the 4H kids will be preparing their animals for market. This means that last week’s auction’s highest bidder will take possession of their animal, after it goes down the road for a short visit to the Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage Plant.

Isaiah’s Hampshire Cross sheep received the high bid from Select Rentals. The bid was good and lots of money. Plus there were add ons equalling close to $1,000. Isaiah is very proud of the price.

Raising Jumbotron was work. But Isaiah loved it. Isaiah is 10-years-old and in the fifth grade. He lives on Birch Hollows Farm in Wasilla. For six months he walked, cleaned, learned and bonded with this sheep. Jumbotron was born on Feb. 24 at 18 pounds. On Saturday he weighed in at 140 sheared pounds. That’s a lot of caring and feeding.

Isaiah understands that this is the end of his and Jumbotron’s relationship. This was all part of the plan. It is an intentional consequence because the meat market is the fulfillment of the contract and the destiny of a meat animal. It’s OK with Isaiah. He and every 4H kid grow their animals fully knowing that this is the end result.

But at this moment in time, it’s very hard.

Isaiah brightens up and offers to demonstrate his showmanship skills with Jumbotron.

“Look how he holds his muscle in his leg,” he said. Isaiah is so proud of his sheep. He explains the anatomical structure and talks about the necessity of a walking discipline for the animal. Isaiah proudly points to his ribbons — one white, one blue and a long rosebud ribbon.

Then he flops back down in the straw with the sheep.

“I have to say goodbye to him now,” says Isaiah. The sheep nuzzles him.

I turn to leave but then ask Isaiah one last question. “Will you raise another animal?”

Isaiah smiles and says, “Oh yes. Next year. This was my first. I can’t wait.”

I leave as the two snuggle in for the last time.

Barbara Hunt lives in Palmer.