Written by Jaycee Bennett

Fremont High School Agricultural Communications Student

The Weber County Fair is a great tradition in our community. From having the huge draft horses and tiny chickens, to the spinning wheel of a fair booth and the giant turkey legs. One thing that is very popular at the county fair is the Jr. Livestock.

The Jr. Livestock program promotes growing and supporting local agriculture. Kids ages 8-18 can raise sheep, cattle, hogs, and goats, show them and then sell them at the Livestock Auction. The biggest thing needed from the community is supporting the auction and buying locally grown meat. Local businesses are a huge support system and are going down hill in support. If local businesses stop supporting the local county fair, it will stop growing and eventually die.

I have raised for livestock projects for the county fair for ten years. Because of the support of local business leaders, I have been able to continue with this experience and save up money for my education. I am very appreciative of the support I have received over the years and am grateful for the community. If buyers do not want to eat the meat that you purchase, you can send it to the floor (sell to a floor buyer) or send it to the food bank which is a tax write off for the business. If local businesses can not buy livestock then there is the opportunity to boost the exhibitors. Boosting is a small amount of money going towards the kids final check. This is a great way to support multiple kids and their projects.

There is always something for everyone when buying local grown livestock. To learn more contact the auction supervisors Rick and Cendra Ipsen (801)-391-5812 or rdipsen@comcast.com.