A steady stream of youth with their animals flowed through the Show Arena at the Richland County fair on Saturday at the Richland County Fair. The Junior Fair Livestock Sale started promptly at 9:30 a.m. and continued until late afternoon.
Many area businesses were present to bid on their favorite animals. The first eight feeder calves sold for a price just shy of $10,000. Bids were flying steadily until around 4 p.m.
One of the highest bidders was Milliron Iron & Metal this year. They bought the first Grand Champion feeder calf for $1,700, setting the tone for the rest of the day and following up with other high bids.
President Grant Milliron said he is happy to support the youth in this way. “Supporting our community’s youth is the one and only reason we’re out here, and why we have in the past,” said Milliron.
“This community has been good to me with all my efforts with my businesses. So it’s (bidding on animals) a good way to give back to the community,” added Milliron.
He said that he looks for animals that look physically healthy. He said over the years that he has developed his own speculations on determining which animals to bid on.
President of Richland Bank John Brown has been attending livestock auctions for many years. Since his arrival at Richland Bank four years ago, he’s made it a priority to invest in his community by bidding on animals that belong to customers. He said they take first priority, and that bidding on animals at auctions is one of his favorite ways to serve the community’s youth.
“It’s so rewarding to support the kids. These are some of the best and hardest working kids in Richland County,” said Brown.
Kristen Wasilewski, a graduate from Shelby High School, is one of those hard workers. Her calf sold to Milliron for $1,700 – the first purchase of the day. The Grand Champion beef feeder calf weighed in at 546 pounds. This was Wasilewski’s last year after being involved in the Junior Fair for 10 years.
“It’s taught me hard work, responsibility and it’s prepared me for the future. And the connections I’ve made is what I enjoy. Some of my best friends are from coming to this,” shared Wasilewski. She will take those connections and life lessons with her this coming fall at Ohio State University at Mansfield as she studies Early Childhood Education.
Haley Felty sold her 452 pound feeder calf for $1000, which she’ll put away for college savings. Felty has been involved for six years and she attends Plymouth High School. She said this experience has taught her to care for animals and people. She plans on studying to become a veterinarian when she graduates from high school.
Not every young person is thinking about college, however. Josh Wilson, who sold his 5th Place Overall Dairy Beef Feeder Calf (named Buckweet) for $800, plans on fixing up his 2003 Ford F-150.
All of the youth participants gleaned important life lessons from the experience. And that, according to bidders like Grant Milliron and John Brown, is worth investing in. Other businesses present at the Junior Fair Livestock Auction were Mechanics Bank, ArcerlorMittal, Phillips Manufacturing, and many more. For more information on the Richland County Fair and for schedules of the week’s activities, visit their website.
For more photos, see collection by Zach Massa at left.
“This community has been good to me with all my efforts with my businesses. So it’s (bidding on animals) a good way to give back to the community,” added Milliron Iron & Metal President Grant Milliron.
