Saturday saw the culmination of a long year of hard work for the dedicated members of Carbon County’s 4-H program at the organization’s 2018 Livestock Sale.

More than 90 animals were exhibited in eight categories — Steer, Swine, Dairy Beef, Lamb, Goat, Poultry Male, Poultry Female and Pen of Meat Rabbits — at the auction, with sale prices raking in hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars for the young animal rearers.

But before they step into the pen and put their livestock up for bid, those 4-H members have to put in plenty of time and energy to bring their animals up.

“For most of these kids, it’s a 24/7 job,” said Georgia Farrow, 4-H program assistant for Carbon County.

“They take care of the animals, and they raise them. This is their responsibility, so in the middle of the winter when it’s 20 degrees, they’re out there before school watering and feeding their animals, making sure they’re OK. And then before they go to bed, or right after supper, they check them again, and water and feed them.”

Karissa Costenbader, a Grand Champion winner in the Goat category this year and last, said that she works hard to create an ideal environment for her animals, which in turns yields a better presentation and higher bids.

“I love goats. They’re fun and enjoyable,” she said. “I had to maintain their playground area, so they could run around. That’s how they get their muscle. Then it’s just feeding them a lot.”

Click here to see a photo gallery from the auction

Ryanne Hoffman, who has taken numerous banners over her 4-H career, won both Grand and Reserve Champion Swine this year thanks to some good fortune and careful maintenance.

“They were quite heavy this year. It was a good year for eating. They gained a lot of weight and filled out nicely,” Hoffman said of her hogs.

“I did pretty good. It’s kind of hard to get both (awards). It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. I thought I was lucky and fortunate to get one banner, and then I got both. It’s a blessing.”

Though the market price on swine was a bit lower this year at 36 cents per pound, her heavyset hogs were able to attract some hefty bids. In the end, her Grand Champion sold to her grandfather’s Gap View Farms for $1,000.

It wasn’t just the seasoned veterans who took top honors this year, as 8-year-old Kaylee Shoenberger won Grand Champion Poultry Male for her rooster, which sold to Dale’s Concessions for $700.

“It was fun showing, and it was nice to win,” the young champion said. “I’m going to do dairy beef, sheep and poultry next year.”

Kristin Simmons, director of Carbon County 4-H Livestock, commended the kids and young adults for their incredible work ethic, and their commitment to passing on the tips of the trade with younger members.

“I think they did fabulous. They all did an awesome job, they worked together with one another, their animals were great. They did a really good job,” she said.

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Bidders in the auction crowd included members of local and state government, coming out to support the youth who represent the backbone of the county’s economy.

“Every year, we attend the Livestock Auction. I think it’s important to come out and support the 4-H Club. These young folks do a great job raising these animals,” Rep. Doyle Heffley, who sponsored the banner for the Grand Champion Lamb, said.

County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said he rarely misses a 4-H auction at the fair, and that he looked forward to winning at least one of the bids.

“I enjoy watching the kids show their animals, and showing my appreciation for the kids and all the hard work they do. I try to buy something every year, and I usually do buy an animal of some sort, from a steer on down to rabbits,” Nothstein said.

Farrow said that she was thrilled to see a young generation so invested in the world of agriculture and livestock, and she hopes that they will continue with their passions in order to ensure the future of these cornerstones of society.

“I think it’s great to see second and third generations, and some of them are even the fifth and sixth generations of these farm families. It’s important to continue, because without agriculture, we don’t eat!” she said.

“They were wonderful, and the kids are well-deserving of those titles. They worked very hard with these animals.”