Market Hog Auction on July 5 to support local 4-H youth

    On July 5 at the Houlton Fair, six Aroostook County 4-H members will be presenting their market hog project animals for auction to the public.  This ninth annual 4-H Market Hog Auction represents a fine chance for lucky bidders to purchase locally raised pork from a 4-H member, who has worked hard to raise a high quality product, according to Christy Fitzpatrick 4-H representative.
Contributed photograph
AUCTION TIME – 4-H Market Hog project members Tessa O’Donnell, Emily Mooers, Sarah Verville and Vanessa O’Donnell introduce future 4-H member Garrett Fitzpatrick to one of the market hogs, which will be offered for sale at this year’s 4-H Market Hog Auction. The auction will be held Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m. at the Houlton Fair livestock ring. Patricia Donovan and Jagger Tremblay will also be offering their hogs at the auction.
    “Through participation in this project, youth learn how to raise a good quality market animal and train it to be shown,” said Fitzpatrick. “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 skills used by 4-H Market Hog project members.
    Last January, interested 4-H members put their names into a drawing to see who would be selected to raise a market hog for the Houlton Fair auction.  During the past months, members attended meetings on topics such as swine nutrition and care, showing and fitting techniques, and quality assurance and animal health. 
    Jeff Svoboda of Caribou is the leader of the market hog project and he consults with the members about their animals and also visits each member’s animal to see how it is progressing.  Members learn 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 Emily Mooers and Vanessa and Tessa O’Donnell of Houlton, Sarah Verville of Monticello, Patricia Donovan of Blaine, and Jagger Tremblay of Linneus.
    In addition to the auction animals, two 4-H members are raising some special swine.  Dakota Wheeler and Jordan Tremblay of Linneus are raising pigs for the Aroostook County 4-H “Piggies for Pantries” project sponsored by the Maine Potato Board.  They will show these pigs at the summer fairs and the meat will be donated to several local food pantries at the end of the summer.
    To have an opportunity to see how these fine animals stack up, come to see the Market Hog show at the fair on July 4.  The animals will be judged at 6 p.m. in the livestock ring.
    People often wonder what happens if they purchase one of these animals. 
    “All arrangements have been made to have the animals freezer ready,” said Fitzpatrick. “Purchasers will cover the cost of processing and have the chance to order the kind of cuts and size of packages they want.  Smoking is available for ham and bacon and Garey’s special sausage can also be part of the mix.”
    If a whole pig sounds like a lot, consider going in with a friend, family member ort neighbor to split the meat.
    “Businesses are also encouraged to bid on these animals.  In addition to adverting your support of 4-H, the meat can be made available to employees or how about a big barbeque for the whole staff,” said Fitzpatrick. “Buyers will also have the option of taking their purchase home “on the hoof”.”