2024 Jefferson County 4H Auction Sees Outstanding Numbers

Auction numbers higher then in years past

The 2024 Auction brough historical results.  Total sales for the 4H participants were $435,630, up from $350,990 last year.  The community support of the 4-H program and kids is overwhelming.  We have many long-time buyers, as well as several new buyers who made this year very rewarding for the 4-H participants.  Inflation has impacted the livestock program,  the same as it has impacted every aspect of our lives.  The animals and feed are more expensive than ever, however the support our kids get from the community continues to encourage them to participate in this unique youth development program.

Number wise we were $84,640 higher than last year on just 7 more animal and had fewer Grand & Reserve Champions. 

We have seen a 111% increase in the Auction total in the last 10 years and 191% increase in the last 20 years.

The Auction continues to be a fun and rewarding event for the buyers and our 4-H members.  We cannot express our gratitude enough for the community support.

Michelle Brawner’s Grand Champion Steer received top bids, sold to German American Bank for $6,900, which was actually less than last year’s total of $8,200. Daylee Smith’s Reserve Grand Champion Steer sold for $6,850 to Farmers Bank of Milton, also a decrease over last year’s total of $8,150.

Kaleigh Smith’s Grand Champion Swine was sold to Craig Toyota for $6,000, a decrease from last year’s record-breaking $7,800 purchase.

Michael Briggs had the Grand Champion Lamb for the third consecutive year — this year sold to Gray’s Repair Shop and Rub-b-que for $4,400, which was less than the $5,000 he received last year. Lillian Cox had the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb sold to Auxier Gas for $2,600.

Briggs also had both the Grand Champion Meat Goat and the Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat but they were not sold due to the auction policy of one animal per 4-H member. Briggs also had the Grand Champion Dairy Goat.

Jayden Carter had the Reserve Grand Champion Dairy, which sold to Craig Toyota for $2,500, an increase over last year’s $2,300.

Finn Jones had the Grand Champion Rabbit sold to Jenner, Pattison and Sharpe Attorneys at Law and Gateway Investments for $3,000, an increase over last year’s sale of $2,300.

Taylor Hardymon had the Grand Champion Poultry for the third consecutive year that sold to German American Bank and Colen Insurance Agency for $2,500, an increase over last year’s sale of $1,600.

There was also an auction for goat cheese as a fundraiser for the 4-H fairgrounds building fund that totaled $10,000 with combined support from 21 businesses and organizations.