MONROE COUNTY IS HOLDING ITS FIRST-EVER FOUR-H MARKET ANIMAL SALE… LIVESTOCK JUDGING IS A LONG-TIME TRADITION AT THE WEST END FAIR IN GILBERT… BUT THIS YEAR THOSE IN CHARGE WANTED TO GIVE THE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET MONEY FOR THEIR HARD WORK.
Showmanship is what it’s all about for 18-year-old Elizabeth Gouger competing today in the Livestock Judging at the West End Fair.
Gouger says, "It just really shows off how you bond with your animal and how much work and time you really put into them."
She’s been part of the 4-H program in Monroe County since she was eight.
Gouger says, "It shows you how to build a work ethic and some kids don’t get to experience that, but farming and cows, and all of that kind of stuff makes you work hard and gets you where you want to be in life."
But this year she earned a brand new title.
Gouger says, "I’m really excited for it."
This is the first year kids are showing animals for a Meat Market Sale. This cow is the Grand Champion Market Animal for Beef.
Monroe County 4H Down Home Beef Club Leader Jennifer Smith says, "We wanted the kids to have an additional opportunity. We want them to be able to get money out of their projects."
Steer, lambs, goats, pigs and rabbits are all part of the livestock sale.
Smith says, "First all of our champions for each species will go through and then all of our other class winners that made weight for this particular sale will go through and they will be sold."
The majority of the money will go to the 4-H
member to use towards things like college or maybe even paying their parents back.
Gouger says, "I owe everything that I have to my parents. I don’t show it a lot but I’m really thankful for them and where they’ve got me in this today."
But the auction will also help them keep the program going.
Smith says, "Three percent they will give back to their club to allow them to do field trips, have people come in for seminars, things like that. And the other three percent, they’ll be giving back to the Livestock Committee for the West End Fair."
A preview sale will be held Friday night at six. A buyer registration breakfast starts at eight Saturday morning with the sale kicking off at 10. Everyone is welcome to watch at the Fairgrounds in Gilbert.