4-H auction featured event today at Fayette County Fair
The highly anticipated Fayette County Fair’s annual 4-H livestock auction begins at 5 p.m. today in the Indoor Arena. There will be 319 animals in this year’s auction, according to Linda Rooker, co-chairwoman of the livestock sale committee. The order of this year’s sale includes 46 goats, 142 hogs, 65 steers and 66 lambs.
“We had 300 animals last year,’ said Rooker. “There’s a little bit more of each species.’
They will include grand and reserve grand champion market animals from 4-H competition during the fair.
The youths who exhibited these title animals this year include: Ryan Witt of Dunbar, grand champion market lamb; Gina Shaffer of White, reserve grand champion market lamb; Adam Butler Jr. of Connellsville, grand champion market goat; Rebecca Leonard of Dawson, reserve grand champion market goat; Taylor Howser of Smock, grand champion market swine; Kerri May of Mill Run, reserve grand champion market swine; Scotty Gardner of Grindstone, grand champion market steer; and Billy Work of Uniontown, reserve grand champion market steer.
Howser is the 8-year-old son of Matt and Marla Howser and a third-grade student at Franklin Elementary School in the Uniontown Area School District. This is his first year of 4-H.
“I just wanted fifth place or higher. I just wanted a ribbon. I was a little surprised,’ said Howser of the win for his pig named Sarge.
Howser, who also won first in his class for his carcass pig, noted that his father made him walk his pig every day. But it paid off and Howser is certainly enjoying this year’s Fayette County Fair. He said he likes the fair for “the demolition derby and 4-H – that’s the best.’
May is the 17-year-old daughter of Walter and Kathy May and a senior at Connellsville Area High School. She is in her seventh year of 4-H and has projects in swine, lamb, market goat and steer.
“It was really exciting,’ said May of winning the reserve title. “I hoped I would do well but was just glad to win.’
May, who last year had middleweight champion, said she enjoys 4-H and said, “I just love the hard work. It pays off in the end.’
Gardner is the 12-year-old son of Bill and Jamie Gardner and a seventh-grade student at Brownsville Area Middle School.
“I thought I had a pretty good shot but it was up to the judges,’ he said.
Gardner, who is in his fifth year of 4-H, has achieved a string of titles that included 2005 grand champion swine, 2006 grand champion steer and 2007 reserve grand champion swine. His projects this year include steer, pig and goat.
Work is the 18-year-old son of Bill and Paula Work and a freshman at Ohio Northern University. He’s been seven years in 4-H and has projects in steer, lamb, pig, goat and breeding cattle.
“It was exciting and rewarding,’ Work said of his win as reserve grand champion. “I thought I had a shot – maybe.’
Work won this title before in 2005 and also had the 2008 champion 4-H heifer.
The livestock auction will be open at 4 p.m. to register buyers.
Bill Gardner, who helps with the livestock sale, said, “The judges were impressed with the quality of the animals.’
Last year, 84 Lumber Co. founder Joe Hardy was the total volume buyer for dollars, while Jamieson’s Shop ‘N Save was 2006 total volume animal buyer.
The officials also noted that if someone would like to support the auction but doesn’t have a use for the meat, he or she could buy an animal and donate it back to be sold again to benefit the 4-H livestock scholarship fund.
There are usually 12 to 15 youths who will earn the scholarship the year and they can continue receiving it for up to three years, so about 30 youths are receiving scholarship funds each year.
Bill Gardner pointed to the hard work by the youths who have livestock and said, “We encourage everyone to come and support the sale.’
Before the start of the auction, plaques will be presented to 15 to 20 of the livestock youths who are in their last year of 4-H.
And the results of the prestigious Supreme Showman competition will be announced. The competition for Supreme Showman is taking place this morning at the fair in which youths face off against each other after having won the showmanship award in each of seven different species.
This year’s competitors include: Shelby Hawkins of Scottdale for dairy cattle; C.J. Diamond of Smithfield for beef cattle; Kelsie May of Mill Run for swine; Jessika Stoots of Connellsville for market goat; Ryan Witt of Champion for market lamb; Chelsey Kreinbrook of Dawson for dairy goats; and Rachael Peterson of Perryopolis for horse.
Kelsie May, the 16-year-old daughter of Keith and Susie May, is heading to the competition for the third time. She won Supreme Showman last year and was reserve showman in 2006.
“It’s very difficult,’ said May, a junior at Connellsville Area High School, “but it’s fun and it’s a great thing to be involved with.’
Diamond, 18-year-old son of Chris and Linda Diamond, will be in Supreme Showman for the first time.
“I’m pretty excited,’ said Diamond, who has been in 4-H for 10 years and has beef, swine, lamb and horse projects. “This time, they’re judging you, not your animal.’
Alexis Tabaj, 15-year-old daughter of John and Marcy Tabaj of New Salem, is this year’s reserve showman for steers. An eight-year member of 4-H, she has competed in the Supreme Showman competition in the past and said, “It’s very difficult but it’s very rewarding.’