Do you remember the thrill of opening the mailbox and seeing real mail—physical letters from a person? It has become so rare. But the Kent County Farm Bureau has gotten to relive that pleasure during the last couple of weeks as almost five dozen children and teenagers have sent us letters to tell us about the animals and projects they are showing and selling at the Kent County Youth Fair.
We’ve heard from 5-year-olds who are showing their first lamb and 19-year-olds who are in their last year of eligibility. The majority of exhibitors have more than one project to show, with one-third having at least three, and one energetic person is showing six. These are hardworking young people!
Olivia Foley is 9 years old and has raised a beef market steer by herself. She says, “I have learned a lot taking care of him, and it is a lot of hard work! I also raised a market wether (boy sheep) named Olive. I got to feed him bottles of sheep milk when he was a baby.” In the Foley family, they are learning from and teaching each other. Older brother Bentley says, “This will be my fifth year raising and showing a beef steer. My steer’s name is Fudgy and he is a crossbreed. He is a big boy! He has been a lot of work to take care of, but also a lot of fun. Now that I’m older (and stronger) I am in charge of more chores, like feeding and tying him up. I also help teach my younger sister and brother [Dylan] how to show a steer, in turn they have helped to teach me how to show my market sheep.”
Nathan Steinhaus is five years old and tells us, “I am showing a barrow pig named JJ at this year’s fair. I like when he stands still and when he rolls on the ground like a dog. He is very chunky.” His older brother Matthew says about his pig Wilbur, “I like when he lays on his back and to cuddle with him. He is really cute!” Oldest brother Logan is tracking his favorite part of his feeder steer Stafford: “My favorite part of my feeder steer is his brisket and how it is filling in. He has been the best steer ever!”
Victoria Caine has been showing and selling animals at the Kent County Youth Fair for eleven years. She explains the benefits of buying an animal at the Youth Fair:
“This year I raised a registered Chianna beef steer, Krimson, who is ready to fill your freezer with quality, homegrown beef! This year my goal with Krimson was to raise a quality steer while improving my showmanship skills and traveling to shows outside of the Fair. Over the past 10 months we have traveled to 3 different shows, club weigh-ins, and an educational workshop together. These opportunities have built our confidence together in the showring and my knowledge in understanding what I need to change in order to raise a quality and nutritious product. Krimson was started on a custom blend corn based mix from our local elevator, but was transitioned to Umbarger show feed that is a complete feed high in fat and fiber to maintain finish. He was also given fresh homegrown hay and fresh water each day. Did you know that purchasing at the Livestock auction gives you the opportunity to buy meat in bulk which allows you to avoid meat shortages in the industry, get quality homegrown meat and support local exhibitors to continue learning and doing what they love? Buying bulk can also help you save money!”
We’ve heard from members of so many different clubs: Caledonia FFA, Lowell FFA, Alto Active Achievers, Boondockers 4H, Byron Center Busy Workers 4H, Cherry Valley Livestock Club, County Line 4H, Lowell Livestock Club, North Kent Sheep 4H, and Sparta Livestock 4H Club. They are all ready to answer any questions people may have about their animals. They can describe the daily walks they’ve taken with their pigs and sheep, as well as tell you their plans for the proceeds of the sale.
You can bid on the large animals in the auction on Thursday, August 1, starting at 9:00am, and the small animals and still exhibits on Friday, August 2 starting at 5:00pm. Auctions will be held at the Show Pavilion of the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan, 13801 Cascade Rd. SE in Lowell. If you are not able to attend, you can bid via proxy at www.kcyf.org/auctions. If you do not want to purchase an animal, but you want to support a young person, you can do what is called Add-A-Bid: a donation of a set amount for a specific exhibitor and project, which will be added to the total amount they’ll receive after the sale. You also have the choice of bidding on an animal and donating it to a charitable organization that will have the animal processed and the meat distributed to their food insecure clients.
Reading through these letters has inspired me and made me feel more hopeful for the future. I can see why Kent County Farm Bureau member and Kent County Youth Agricultural Association Campaign Coordinator Kristi Caine calls it, “the best week of the summer.” The Fair is open every day this week; check the schedule https://www.kcyf.org/faireventschedule for any events you want to catch and to find out what time the Midway opens. We hope to see you there!