Maryland State Fair Youth Livestock Sale Earns Over $200K For Aspiring Young Farmers

TOWSON - More than four dozen youths aged between 8 and 18 raised an impressive $201,971.30 at the Maryland State Fair Youth Livestock Sale on Monday.

The sale, hosted at the Cow Palace, allows buyers to purchase locally grown beef, pork, lamb, and goat from young farmers. All proceeds from the sale go directly to the participating young farmers, who are members of either 4-H or FFA. The funds are earmarked for their future projects or educational endeavors.

"This 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale embodies a year's worth of hard work, commitment, and competition by these young individuals," said Andy Cashman, General Manager of the Maryland State Fair. "Through the process, they learned responsibility for their animals and the ability to make wise management decisions."

Among the evening's high sellers was Blair Heath of Cooksville in Howard County, who sold her 1,434-pound Grand Champion Market Steer to Growing People, Inc. for $22,513.80, priced at $15.70 per pound.

Emma Arbaugh of Westminster in Carroll County sold her 1,304-pound Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer to Mullinex Vet Hospital for $3,912 at $3.00 per pound.

Further contributing to the night's success, Jakob Fullerton of Frostburg in Allegany County sold his 290-pound Grand Champion Market Hog for $11,600, or $40 per pound, to Growing People, Inc. and Frog Hollow Maple Farms.

Jakob Fullerton's 290-pound Grand Champion Market Hog. (Photo Credit: Maryland State Fair)

Addison Rohrer of Sharpsburg in Washington County sold her 134-pound Grand Champion Market Lamb for $10,003.10, or $74.65 per pound, to a consortium that included Souder Commercial Realty, M&J Explosives, and TNT Livestock & Growing People, Inc.

Addison Rohrer's 134-pound Grand Champion Market Lamb. (Photo Credit: Maryland State Fair)

Finally, Ava Grabowski of Jarrettsville saw her 87-pound Grand Champion Market Goat sell for a flat $10,000 to Growing People, Inc. and Owen Griffith Livestock.

The landmark event underscores the hard work of Maryland's youth and the strong community support that bolsters local agriculture and educational programs.

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