Local youth and locally grown food — A winning combination

    On July 4 at the Houlton Fair, six Aroostook County 4-H members will present their Market Hog project animals for auction to the public. This 12th annual 4-H Market Hog Auction provides a great opportunity for lucky bidders to purchase top-quality, locally raised pork from a 4-H member who has worked hard to raise a premium quality product, said Linda Trickey of the Houlton Extension office.
    “Through participation in this project, youth learn how to raise a first rate market animal and train it to be shown,” she said. “More importantly they use the project to practice the life skills which are the heart of every 4-H project. Skills such as goal setting, self- responsibility, decision-making, record-keeping, communication, and teamwork are just some of the abilities learned and applied by 4-H Market Hog Project members.”
Contributed photograph
SHOWING — Patricia Donovan shows a pig during the annual Hog Market Auction during last year’s Houlton State Agricultural Fair.
    In early spring, the members selected their animals and began to care for them. They attend regular meetings on topics such as swine nutrition and care, showing and fitting techniques, and quality assurance and animal health. Members learned about their responsibility to raise a safe, high quality animal that will be enjoyed by the consumer and that will reflect well on the 4-H “brand.” Members offering pigs for auction this year are Jacob Jones of Houlton, Sarah Verville of Monticello, Nathanial Thompson of Ashland, Alexis Brewer of Mars Hill, Patricia Donovan of Blaine and Erica Watson of Blaine.
    In addition to the auction animals, two 4-H members are participating in the Market Hog Project in a very special way. Seth Hawksley of Easton and Patricia Donovan are each raising an animal for the Aroostook County 4-H “Piggies for Pantries” project sponsored by the Maine Potato Board. They will show these pigs at the Houlton Fair and the meat will be donated to local food pantries.
    To have an opportunity to see how these fine animals measure up in competition and decide which one to take home, come to the Houlton Fair any evening to see them paraded or attend the 4-H Market Hog show Sunday July 3, at 7 p.m. in the livestock ring. Then come back on Monday, July 4 at 6 p.m. to bid on an animal to fill the freezer with premium locally grown, pork.
    Trickey said, people often wonder what happens if they are lucky enough to purchase one of these animals. All arrangements are made to have the animals freezer ready! Buyers will cover the cost of processing which allows them to have the meat cut and wrapped to their specific instructions. Smoking is available for hams and bacon and Garey’s special sausage can also be part of the mix. If a whole pig sounds like a lot of meat, consider going in with a friend, family members or a neighbor to share the bounty. Local businesses are also encouraged to bid on these animals! In addition to advertising your support for youth and Aroostook County 4-H, the meat can be made available to employees, or what about a giant barbecue for the whole staff?  Buyers also have the option to take their purchase home “on the hoof.”