FARMINGTON — The year-long work of Franklin County 4-H members ends on the auction block at Franklin County Fair next week.

Steers, lambs and swine will be on exhibit and shown throughout the fair, which starts Sunday. The animals will be sold at the 4-H Livestock Auction held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, in the sheep and hog barn, said Judy Smith, 4-H program aide for Franklin County at the University Cooperative Extension.

The animals are raised by the 4-H members specifically for this purpose, she said. They are purchased by many local businesses and residents for slaughter, she said.

Along with acquiring and raising the animals, the 4-H members also get a lesson in marketing as they seek buyers for their animals, although anyone can bid in the auction, she said.

Several local businesses that sell meat purchase animals at the auction. Some buyers return year after year, she said.

“They know what they’re getting,” she said.

After purchasing a young animal, the 4-H members feed and raise the animal solely for this purpose.

“They know what happens. There’s  a lot of tears. Some of these animals become good friends. It’s hard,” she said.

They also know the better animal they raise, the better price it can bring.  They receive the funds from the sale, which covers the cost of purchasing and feeding the animal and buying another young one to raise during the coming year.

Last year, 10 hogs, four steers and six lambs were auctioned. Many placed high in showing throughout the week.

“It’s a good program. The members learn a lot about marketing,” she said.

Started by Randy Hall of East Dixfield a few years ago, the 4-H auctions have been successful, she added.

On the other side of the fairgrounds next week, gardeners will show the fruits of their labor along with the art and handiwork of area residents displayed in the Exhibition Hall.

Don DeRoche brings a bit of local history to show beside the needlework, paintings and garden produce. There’s plenty of work to finish before Sunday, he said Thursday, while decorating a Christmas tree for a display.

This year, a Christmas and railroad scene highlight collected photos of the last passenger and freight trains that rolled into Farmington during the 1950s. 

Another collection, displayed by Frances Harton, shows the changes to the former Newberry’s store during a renovation in 1956. Harton’s father, James Akerley, managed the store for many years.

DeRoche also included a small display on the W.G. Mallett School, built in 1931 and torn down this summer to make room for the new elementary school in Farmington.

The 171st annual exhibition of the Franklin County Agricultural Society takes place Sept. 18 to 24.

Activities begin Sunday at 9 a.m. with a team penning competition followed throughout the day with steer and oxen pulling, parimutuel racing and a Miss Farmington Fair Pageant at 6:30 p.m.

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