08/07/2026
Highland County youth learn responsibility through 4-H, FFA
The Recorder on August 06, 2026
BY BROOKE WILLIAMS • FFA MEMBER
The 4-H and FFA livestock show, which is scheduled to kickoff Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. with goats and lambs, followed by the hog and cattle show Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. The livestock sale will wrap things up on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. Thirty-four exhibitors will compete in the 75th annual competition. (Photos courtesy Highland County Fair)
The 4-H and FFA livestock show, which is scheduled to kickoff Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. with goats and lambs, followed by the hog and cattle show Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. The livestock sale will wrap things up on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. Thirty-four exhibitors will compete in the 75th annual competition. (Photos courtesy Highland County Fair)
MONTEREY — The Highland County Fair is right around the corner. The livestock barn will quickly be filling up with cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs as local exhibitors have been busy working their livestock projects to set the stage for the 4-H and FFA livestock show, which is scheduled to kickoff Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. with goats and lambs, followed by the hog and cattle show Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m.
The livestock sale will wrap things up on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m.
Exhibitors spend the spring and summer months preparing for the event. Not only are they raising the animals, but also learning responsibility, time management and financial decision making. Detailed record books are required to be kept, completed and turned in at the end of the project per species of animal shown as well as livestock poster projects, which will be displayed in the livestock barns during the fair. Projects and record books are judged, as well as the quality of the animals shown, and the exhibitor’s ability to handle and present the animal in the ring.
Emma Lockridge and her market hog, “Speckles.”
Emma Lockridge and her market hog, “Speckles.”
Exhibitors like Emma Lockridge, who has been a livestock exhibitor and 4-H member for the past three years, has been busy caring and raising two market hogs and two market goats for this year’s project. Lockridge has embraced the learning experience.
“The livestock show is a good event because it teaches responsibility and how showing up every day for our animals is so important. My favorite part of the project is bonding with my animals and seeing how different each of their personalities every year can be,” Emma said.
Auctioneer Bill Wagner says the community’s role is critical to the event’s success and encourages residents to attend and support the exhibitors and learn more about agriculture.
“These kids are the future of our agriculture. It’s great for the kids of Highland to be showing and raising animals,” he said.
Support options for this event can happen by purchasing an animal at the sale Saturday, Sept. 5. Purchasing options allow the buyer to purchase the livestock with the intention of reselling the animal at the floor price. The buyer pays the difference between the floor price and the price they bid on the animal. The buyer also has the option of purchasing livestock to take to their farm.
A third option would allow the buyer to purchase the livestock to be put in a home freezer. Livestock being purchased to go back to the farm or put in the freezer requires their own arrangements to get them to the destination.
Contributions in any amount can be made to the overall sponsor fund and benefit all the 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors as a whole.
