Youth talent highlighted at 2022 4-H Junior Livestock Auction

WASILLA — The 2022 Jr. 4-H Livestock Auction at the Alaska State Fair drew talent from youth contestants from across the state Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Event judge Jared Fast said it was a tough competition to judge because all the contestants brought such high quality animal entries.

“The quality was phenomenal,” Fast said.

Seventeen-year-old contestant Samara Johnson’s prized pig won first place in its division this year.

“I was praying the entire show,” Johnson said with a laugh. “It was fun. I’m glad all the work I put in this year paid off.”

Johnson is no stranger to livestock auctions. She said that she started when she was 9 years old and won multiple awards over the years.

“It’s a shock every time,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that she’s saving the money she gains from these competitions for college. She plans to earn a degree in psychology for a career in social work. She said it’s been an enjoyable journey working with the animals and she’s learned a lot from her experiences.

“Animals are very therapeutic,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that one of the biggest benefits of being a part of the 4-H culture is the strong work ethic she developed working with pigs, horses, cows, and other animals over the years.

“You put in a lot of work when you’re growing these animals,” Johnson said.

Like people, animals crave affection and social interaction. Johnson said it all comes down to developing a positive and nurturing relationship from the beginning. She said all the hard work is worth it in the end.

“I just really enjoy training the animal and building a relationship with it,” Johnson said. “It’s really just being with them. Don’t let them get lonely.”

Johnson said there were a lot of top contenders in this year’s livestock auction, including her 11-year-old friend Rayna Reynolds, who also started when she was 9 years old. She said that Reynolds was one of her toughest competitors in spite of her age.

“I think it was a hard competition this year,” Johnson said.

Johnson has led numerous livestock clinics over the years. She said that she wants to help the next generation and help out wherever she can.

“I like helping kids. I like being a support for them,” Johnson said.

For more information about the 2022 Alaska State Fair, visit alaskastatefair.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com