On Friday and Saturday, kids stepped into the arena one more time for the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale.
WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - As the Auglaize County Fair comes to a close this weekend, the Jr. Fair competitors are seeing the results of their hard work.
Becher adds that the money from the auction is so important because the costs of caring for an animal can add up.
On Friday and Saturday, kids stepped into the arena one more time for the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale. Buyers, who are often family members or local businesses, bid hundreds or even thousands on the animals. The buyers aren't always purchasing the animal. In many cases, the students still take the animal home and continue to raise them. Instead, the auction is more like investing in local youth and their futures.
"It gives a chance for kids in FFA, 4-H to get more money towards their project. Basically, they go around asking people if they want to support them, help them use more money towards their project next year," explained Ethan Becher, this year's Reserve Market Barrow Champion, who has been involved in showing hogs since he was only 2 years old.
In many cases, the students still take the animal home and continue to raise them.
"My favorite part at the end of the fair is knowing that your hard work paid off. It makes you feel really good that people around the community will support your pigs. I'm going to use it on next year's projects and use the rest for college," said Carson Schmerge, who won Third Place Overall Market Barrow.
Becher adds that the money from the auction is so important because the costs of caring for an animal can add up. For example, a bag of hog feed costs around $70.
