TIMONIUM, Md. — For more than 50 years, community business owners and individuals have shown their support to 4-H/FFA youth through participation as buyers at the 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale, among the supporters are Giant Food Store in Timonium, The Mill of Bel Air, Papa John’s Market, Bounds Accounting and Tax Service, Maryland Foods Pavilion, Pepsi-Cola, South Mountain Creamery and more.
The 2017 auction will take place on it’s new date, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Maryland State Fair Cow Palace Show Ring.
4-H/FFA youth will auction off their prize steer, lamb, goats and market hogs. Each youth will receive the proceeds raised from the sale of their livestock to invest in their education or a new livestock project.
The Livestock Sale is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and competition by 4-H/FFA youth.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the youth. They have invested a lot of time and money in their livestock in order to prepare them for competition and auction,” said 4-H Volunteer from Carroll County Kathy Gordon. “It teaches them responsibility for their animals, the ability to make wise management decisions, and provides the financial support and encouragement necessary to meet future goals.”
In order to qualify for the auction, the livestock must compete in various shows during the Fair. The livestock judges will name the Grand Champions and Reserve Champions and a selection committee of knowledgeable individuals will choose the allotted number of livestock to be sold based on quality. The Livestock Sale will begin at 7 p.m. Programs will be available at 6 p.m. Market Steers, Hogs and Lambs are bid on by the pound and Market Goats are sold by the head.
Last year:
- Tate Bittner of Westminster in Carroll County sold his 1,304 lbs. Grand Champion Market Steer to Giant Food in Timonium for $9,454 ($7.25 per pound).
- April Troyer of Monkton in Baltimore County sold her 260 lbs. Grand Champion Market Hog to the Mill of Bel Air for $1,300 ($5 per pound).
- Tori Manahan of Westminster in Carroll County sold her 144 lbs. Grand Champion Market Lamb to Giant Food in Timonium for $1,872 ($13 per pound).
- Tate Bittner of Westminster in Carroll County sold his 92 lbs. Grand Champion Market Goat to Bounds Accounting and Tax Service for $2,000.
Admission to the fair is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older) and $3 for children (6-11). Children five-years-old and younger are admitted free. Rides are individually priced. Limited parking on the Fairgrounds is available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5. Taking the Light Rail is recommended. Visit www.marylandstatefair.com.
— Maryland State Fair