This year’s Harford County 4-H livestock auction generated $834,146, beating last year’s record of nearly $600,000.
The highest bidder was Mark Huntley of Anchor Mechanical, who bought a 1,256-pound steer from 12-year-old Thomas Martin, of Pylesville, for $23,864.
Throughout the year, Thomas said he trained his steer, named Yeti because of his white hair, how to follow commands such as placing his feet where they needed to be. Every week, he would give him a bath to prompt hair growth, deep-clean him, then blow him dry. Thomas said Yeti was like a “big puppy dog.”
In addition to Yeti, Thomas sold two pigs, a 235-pound swine named Raven, and a 238-pound swine named Rosie.
Thomas has participated in 4-H for the past four years and has invested money he has earned into purchasing new animals and equipment, and had some left over to deposit into his college fund.
“Our kids kind of invest in their own projects,” said Thomas’ mother, Beth Martin. “We let them choose how they want to invest their money.”
Beth Martin said Thomas has acquired many skills via 4-H.
“It teaches them things they can’t learn in the classroom, that they can’t learn from anyplace else,” she said. “4-H is a very unique program that teaches them the hardships about life.”
Each kid invests endless hours in their animals, and selling them at the end of the fair is a hardship for many. The longer you participate in the fair, the sting after selling your animal lessens a bit, according to Kristen Deford, beef cattle superintendent. She said perseverance and drive are instilled in all the kids who participate.
“It’s not just the auction that brings tears. It’s everyday farm life,” she said. “It just goes to prove that this is such a good community. You get back out there next year … knowing you’re going to go through the same thing, but it really is the circle of life.”
This year marked Deford’s 34th consecutive year at the fair. Deford and her sister showed animals when they were younger, and now her two daughters show as well. She said the legacy of farm families within Harford County helps make the farm fair feel less like a competition and more like a family.
“When something happens and you need help, there’s many there to support you,” she said. “That’s something you can’t put a price tag on.”
Beth Martin said the livestock auction is a good way to support the community and the children involved in 4-H. She said it helps to educate people on the process of locally sourced food and invest in the next generation of farmers.
“We want to keep Harford County rural, local and support each other the best we can,” she said. “That auction is a fantastic way to do that.”
In total, Thomas made a little over $31,000 from the auction. Some of the money, his mom said, will be designated for his college fund, and go toward purchasing his animals for next year and to buy an antique tractor that he’d like to use next year to compete in the tractor pull events.
Thomas is already making plans for next year’s farm fair. He plans to show a cow, a calf, two pigs and possibly a goat.
Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.
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