BUCYRUS – The call of the auctioneer at the Junior Fair Livestock Sale is the siren song that ends the Crawford County Fair each year.
Standing nervously before a crowd of eager bidders, 4-H students cross their fingers in hopes that the animal they invested time and energy in all year will go for a price that helps fund their future. Sometimes that future means yet another animal for next year’s fair, other times it goes into a college fund.
For 15-year-old Hope Sharp, the money from her goats and chickens at the fair are going towards her education.
“I have two sisters and we all do it, we’re trying to save up some money for college,” Sharp said. “Both goats won second place in their classes, and my first goat sold for $400.”
Sharp recalled the long process of raising her goats this year. Throughout the ups and downs, showing at the fair and selling your animal means all your hard work pays off in the end.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a great opportunity for a lot of kids,” Sharp said. “It’s crazy, but then at the end of the year it’s sad to sell your goats, even though when you get them you think you need to get rid of them because they’re driving you nuts. And it’s really rewarding.”
The reward goes both ways at the Livestock Sale. For Wes Ritzler from Pioneer Seed, who purchased two goats on Saturday, his reward comes from purchasing livestock from the grandchildren of his customers.
“I grew up showing hogs here, so it’s great to give back to my hometown,” Ritzler said.
For many at the Crawford County Fair, that reward always comes full circle. For 19-year-old Kendyl Guinther, her story at the fair doesn’t end even though this was her last year showing.
“I’ve actually shown lambs for 17 years, and shown goats for 10 years,” Guinther said. “I love showing at this fair, and I’m actually showing lambs at the state fair next week.”
Guinther sold two goats on Saturday, earning $800 for the first goat and $300 for the second. Typically that money goes towards buying another animal for the next fair, but now that money is going toward a down payment on a house.
Guinther said she would miss the competition at the Crawford County Fair, but doesn’t plan on staying away forever.
“My plan in the future is to raise my own goats and sell to 4-H members,” she said. “I will also provide the help they need like clinics and stuff like that. Always ask the older 4-H members for help; I’m willing to help anyone.”
