This Meat Comes With a Handshake, a Story, and a Kid Who Earned It

Every summer, across America, county and state fairs come alive with carnival rides, funnel cakes, and 4-H and FFA kids proudly leading pigs, goats, sheep, and steers into the show ring. But behind the fun lies something deeply meaningful: the Youth Livestock Auction. These young stewards of the land have poured hard work – literally blood, sweat, and tears – into their livestock, making the auction more than just an event. Over the past months they have been learning priceless lessons about responsibility, connection to our food supply, and the importance of tradition. The Youth Livestock Auctions matter because the barn builds character; the work this next generation of farmers is doing today will feed us tomorrow. 

What Are Youth Livestock Auctions?

Youth livestock auctions are the culminating moment of fairs for kids who’ve spent months—sometimes the better part of a year—raising an animal from a baby to a healthy animal. These animals-turned-projects require daily feeding, cleaning, grooming, and training. Come fair week, the animals are judged for quality and then auctioned to the highest bidder in a public sale that supports the youth exhibitors.

For many participants, this is their first experience with business, money management, public speaking, and the ethics of animal care. The sale itself is emotional—because selling the market animal means saying goodbye to an animal that’s become a daily fixture in their lives.

But these kids take a deep breath and hold their heads high because they understand something many adults have forgotten: meat doesn’t come from an aisle in the store—it comes from an animal that was raised with care, intention, and respect. They might be bottle-feeding a calf, but they’re under no illusion about what comes next. What’s more, they know the value of what they are providing their community; they know their buyer will be filling a freezer and feeding a family. When it comes down to it, that’s the whole reason behind what they do. They can easily take pride in the fact that their animal was given a good life—one marked by humane treatment, daily attention, and genuine stewardship.

The Hidden Curriculum: Life Lessons Learned in the Barn

There’s a reason many of the most capable, grounded adults in agriculture, business, and public service trace their roots back to 4-H or FFA. For example, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter found their footing in these programs. 

“The 4-H Club was my introduction to the great outdoors and to some of the ideas that later in life would serve me well, such as personal responsibility, the importance of helping others, and taking pride in the work I do.” – Ronald Reagan

Youth livestock programs teach real-world lessons early:

• Responsibility: Animals need care—rain or shine, in the sweltering sun or the frigid cold, holiday or not.
• Work ethic: Feeding at 6 a.m. before school and again after homework builds grit and a sense of purpose.
• Financial literacy: Kids track expenses, calculate feed costs, and set earnings goals. They aren’t passive characters in the auction; they are a part of every step of the process.
• Resilience: Not every animal wins a ribbon. Not every auction price is high. Learning to lose with grace and win with humility is part of the deal.

The Big Moment: Stepping Into the Ring

When auction day arrives, it’s more than just the end of a project—it’s the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. One by one, the youth exhibitors proudly lead their animals into the ring. Dressed in their show whites, western wear or FFA blues. They walk with quiet confidence, guiding their pig, steer, lamb, or goat in a practiced circle as the crowd looks on.

For a few minutes, all eyes are on them. The auctioneer’s rapid-fire chant fills the air, bouncing off barn rafters as bids begin to fly. Hands shoot up, numbers are flashed, and the energy builds. Alright, we’ve a dollar thirty-five, now forty, forty, forty-five, can I get a dollar fifty? Fifty, now fifty-five, fifty-five—lookin’ for sixty, sixty, now sixty-five a pound!…”

Some buyers are regular supporters—local businesses, families, or alumni. Others are new faces, moved by the moment and eager to support the youth in their community and fill their freezers with humanely raised, organic meat. 

The kid keeps walking, smiling, glancing toward the crowd, looking for their parents and families. They’re proud—not just of the animal, but of everything that led to this moment: early mornings, muddy boots, cold hands, and small victories. The animal is calm, a testament to the trust built between them.

When the gavel drops, the audience erupts in applause. Sold, sold, sold! Whether the sale price is big or modest, it’s a win. For the buyer, it’s a chance to support the next generation. For the exhibitor, it’s the reward for months of hard work—and a memory that will last a lifetime. If you are lucky enough to be the winning bidder, you’ll get to meet the amazing young exhibitor. They’ll come find you, shake your hand, and thank you for buying their animal. You’ll find yourself in awe of this young stranger, as if standing next to a celebrity, and start snapping pictures. In that moment, you’ll be transported to a time when kids looked you in the eye, gave a firm handshake, expressed genuine gratitude, and were delighted to share and answer any questions you have about their prized project. It’s a reminder of the timeless values of hard work, respect, and community—values that continue to thrive in agriculture.

It’s a win for the farm kid—and for your kitchen, your wallet, and your food security.

Winning bidders of beef cattle enjoy practical, delicious, and healthy rewards, including:

• Custom cuts tailored to your family’s preferences—from steak thickness to how your ground beef is packaged

• Fat trimmings you can keep and render into nutrient-rich tallow for cooking or skincare

• Bones perfect for making nourishing bone broth at home

• And best of all, you’re supporting a local, family-owned butcher shop—keeping dollars in your community while filling your freezer with humanely raised, local meat.

It’s a farm-to-freezer experience that not only supports a young farmer, but fills your home with wholesome, local meat you can feel good about serving.

📈 Example Cost Breakdown – Prices vary by your local butcher fees and winning bid costs:

Let’s say you win the bid at $2.50/lb for a steer weighing 1,200 lbs live:

Winning bid: 1,200 lbs × $2.50 = $3,000

Hanging weight (62%): 1,200 × 0.62 = 744 lbs

Cut & wrap fee: $1.24 per pound × 744 = $922.56

Dispatch fee: $135

✅ Estimated Total:

$3,000 (animal) + $922.56 (cut/wrap) + $135 (dispatch) = $4,057.56 total investment
Final Cost Per Pound (Based on Hanging Weight):

$4,057.56 ÷ 744 lbs = ~$5.45 per pound

(That’s for custom-cut, local, humanely raised beef—including steaks, roasts, ground beef, bones, and fat for rendering.)

Reconnecting with Where Food Comes From

In a time when many kids barely eat more than chicken nuggets and pizza, and certainly can’t identify where their food comes from, livestock projects offer a cure to that ignorance. County fairs remind us that meat doesn’t come in shrink-wrapped packages—it comes from animals raised with care by hardworking people. Buying at the auction allows the community to show they value that connection and want to support the local youth who understand it.

Get Involved, Support the Future of Agriculture

These kids are the best! Hard working, goal oriented, articulate, and so sweet. Some are saving their proceeds for diesel mechanic school, others for four year college, or to invest in other animals. We sat down for our auction observation and one by one the animals were brought to the arena. I started to raise my paddle -How could you not! The pride on these kids faces was something I cherish being able to witness. Long story short our observation turned into a winning bid and we won a 1600 pound steer raised by a middle-school girl. The auction experience was the absolute best. – Kathy, Youth Livestock Auction attendee and supporter

Auction proceeds don’t just reward a kid’s hard work—they often fund next year’s project, college savings, or trade school. In an era where rural communities face economic and population challenges, these programs provide a path forward. By investing in youth who raise livestock, we’re investing in the future of America and American agriculture.

Anyone can attend the youth livestock auctions and place a bid—or even join with others to support a kid’s project. If you’re a local business you might be able to sponsor a young farmer or “add on” money to a youth’s final sale price to encourage their effort.

You can also help by volunteering at your local fair, sharing stories of these hardworking kids, or simply showing up on auction day to cheer them on. Every gesture of support matters.

In a fast-paced, digital world, youth livestock auctions are a powerful reminder of the values that built America: hard work, integrity, and community.

Ready to see it for yourself? We’ve compiled a list of upcoming youth livestock auctions in several states—but be sure to check your local fair’s schedule, mark your calendar, and don’t miss the chance to be part of something that truly matters.

California

El Dorado County Fair Junior Livestock Auction
El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville, CA
 June 13–16, 2025

Alameda County Fair Youth Livestock Auction
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA

Florida

Florida Gateway Youth Livestock Show
Lake City, FL
August 16, 2025

Suwannee River Youth Livestock Show and Sale
Live Oak, FL

Idaho

Valley County Fair & Rodeo Livestock Auction
Valley County, ID
August 9, 2025

Western Idaho Fair 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Sale
Boise, ID
August 15, 2025

Canyon County Fair Junior Livestock Program
Canyon County, ID

North Idaho State Fair Youth Stock Show
Coeur d’Alene, ID

Kansas

Kansas Junior Livestock Show
October 3–5, 2025

Montana

Gallatin County 4-H Market Livestock Sale
Gallatin County, MT
July 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Central Montana Fair 4-H Junior Livestock Sale
Lewistown, MT
July 26, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Lewis & Clark County 4-H Livestock Sale
Helena, MT
July 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM

Western Montana Fair 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale
Missoula, MT
August 9, 2025, at 8:00 AM

New York

Jefferson County Youth Livestock Auction
Jefferson County, NY
July 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM

Broome County 4-H Livestock and Pie Auction
Broome County, NY
July 26, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Oregon

Clackamas County Junior Livestock Auction
Canby, OR
August 16, 2025

Virginia

State Fair of Virginia Youth Livestock Shows
Doswell, VA
October 1–5, 2025

Washington

Junior Livestock Show of Spokane
Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, Spokane, WA
April 30–May 3, 2025

Puget Sound Junior Livestock Show and Sale
May 29–31, 2025

Skagit County Junior Livestock Show and Sale
Mount Vernon, WA
August 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Southwest Washington Junior Livestock Sale
Centralia, WA
August 15, 2025

Evergreen Youth Livestock Show & Sale
Monroe, WA
August 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show
September 9–12, 2025 (Auction on Sept 12 at 9:30 AM)
Pacific Northwest Junior Livestock Auction