The annual Randolph County Fair took place Sept. 6-7 at 4-H Camp Pioneer in Beverly. Members of Randolph County's 4-H clubs who took livestock projects participated in the fair throughout the weekend, beginning on Thursday with the weigh-in of their animals.
In addition to displaying their animals throughout the weekend, 4-H animal exhibitors also participated in Educational Day on Friday by educating county fourth graders about their animals. On Friday evening, exhibitors competed with their market animals for livestock awards, and Saturday morning they competed for showmanship awards.
Finally on Saturday evening, their market animals were available for purchase by area businesses and individuals during the annual livestock sale A total of 60 animals were on display at the barn, which included three market steers, five feeder heifers, one dairy cow, six market goats, 22 market lambs and 25 market hogs. Six exhibitors also sold 12 dozen eggs.
4-H livestock projects are a gateway for young people to be introduced and to get involved in agriculture. 4-H members are required to complete a project book, record guide and also be responsible for the care of the animals. The market hog, lamb and goat projects take six months to complete, and the market steer project takes 12 months to complete.
By completing the projects, 4-H members are introduced to basic record keeping, costs, health records, housing and all the work and responsibility involved in raising healthy animals for market. Upon selling the animals, young people realize profit or loss and what it takes to provide food for the world.
4-H exhibitors competed for showmanship with their chosen animal project. Exhibitors were judged on their ability to show their animal and their knowledge of the breed. Kevin Shaffer, livestock production specialist for West Virginia University Extension, served as judge for showmanship.
In the Junior Division, winners were as follows: Summer Turner, market lamb; Warner Gibson, market hog; Summer Turner, beef; and Johanna Riggleman, market goat. The Overall Junior Showmanship Award winner was Summer Turner.
In the Senior Division, winners were as follows: Johnathan Beale, market lamb; Hannah Daniels, market hog; John Riggleman, beef; and John Riggleman, market goat. The Overall Senior Showmanship Award winner was John
Exhibitors' animals were also judged for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion awards. Winners in each of the classes were as follows: market steer, Alice Linger and Jonathan Riggleman; feeder calf, Brett Ware and Brooke Floyd; market lamb, Brett Ware and Jonathan Swecker; market goat, Johanna Riggleman and Jonathan Riggleman; market hog, Hannah Daniels and Heidi Daniels; and dairy heifer, Alice Linger. Gina Alt, past member of the WVU Livestock Judging Team from Moorefield, served as judge for the livestock.
The Bob Baker Helping Hand Award is presented to the 4-H member who was the most helpful to leaders and other exhibitors in and around the barn area throughout the weekend. This year's recipient was Ethan Yardley. The Bob Baker Poultry exhibitor award was presented to Katie Harris.
Auctioneer for this year's sale was Charlie Helmick from Buckhannon Stockyards, while Amanda Haller served as announcer. A dinner for prospective buyers, hosted by the Randolph County Fair, was served prior to the sale. Event sponsors for the weekend were Randolph County Farm Bureau and Tractor Supply.
In addition to the sale of livestock, items donated by local organizations were also auctioned to help raise funds for Randolph County 4-H Clubs, 4-H Foundation, Randolph County Fair and for improvements to the livestock barn.
Community businesses and individuals who supported the 4-H livestock program by purchasing top-grade, locally grown livestock and donated items include Smith Backhoe & Dozer, Rockingham Co-op, JC Lumber Co., Delegate Bill Hartman, The Charm Farm, Mike Ross Inc., Davis Trust Co., Wil-Ken Inc., Citizens Bank of West Virginia, Grant County Bank, Joe Dakan, Parrak Insurance, Southern States, Delegate Denise Campbell, Linger Farms Inc., Masterpiece Rentals, Freedom Bank, Mountain Valley Bank, Newlons International, Laurel Mountain Construction, Allegheny Equine Vet Services, Randolph County Farm Bureau, Liggett's Supply, Farm Credit, Campbell's Market, Allegheny Insurance, Master Service Mid Atlantic, Performance Motors, Mike Elza, Pritt Farms, Elkins Distributing and Davis Memorial Hospital.
The revenue generated by the sale of animals, eggs and donated goods totaled $82,188.70.