The seventy-eighth annual Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock Show and Sale was held on April 25th and 26th in Elizabeth City, NC. Eight Currituck County 4-H members participated, showing sheep, hogs, goats, a heifer, and one steer. Members received their animals in February and worked hard to train them, care for them and prepare them for market, just as a livestock producer would, in order to participate and compete in the show and sale.
There are a number of benefits gained by participating in youth 4-H Animal Science activities. Youth participants learn responsibility, animal care and compassion through their hands-on work with the animals over several months. Self confidence and communication skills improve by successfully exhibiting their animals in the judged competition. Members learn and utilize decision-making, financial management, and record keeping skills through managing the short term business aspects of the project and participating in the sale.
Participants gain income by selling their project animals and earn medals, ribbons, and trophies as awards for successful participation in Showmanship and Market Classes. The eight Currituck County 4-H members that participated in this year’s show were Taylor Morgan, Gabriel Miller, and Sophia Haislop In the Intermediate (13-15) Division, Karleigh Meads, Jacob Plum, and Collin Plum in the Junior (8-12) Division, and Cloverbuds (5-7) Madison Nolette and Easton Meads.
Cloverbud members Easton and Madison both earned Blue Ribbons for successfully exhibiting their goats and hog, and all our members in competitive divisions earned top 10 placements in both their Market and Showmanship classes. Showmanship highlights were Sophia’s 1st for lamb and 3rd for heifer, Karleigh Meads 4th for lamb and Taylor Morgan 4th for hogs. All of our competitors did an amazing job and look forward to participating next year.
These youth earned a total of $7,000 from the auction of their animals. Local businesses, civic groups and community members contributed to awards and bids which go directly to participants. We would like to thank Down River Farms, Stallings and Stallings, Duncan & Son Farms, Albemarle Septic, James Brothers Inc, Currituck Farm Bureau, Currituck County Extension Master Gardeners, Towne Bank and Coinjock Ruritan Club.
For questions or more information about this project or other Currituck 4-H programs and activities, please contact the 4-H Staff at 252-232-2262, or by visiting the Currituck Extension webpage at currituck.ces.ncsu.edu.