How Can I Participate in the Jr. Livestock Auction?

You Are Invited To The Annual Taos County Fair

Jr. Livestock Auction

August 29, 2009

2:00 p.m.

Juan I. Gonzales Memorial

Taos County Agricultural Center

202 Chamisa Road

Taos, New Mexico 87571

The Jr. Livestock Auction

Every year the annual Taos County Fair showcases the best of Taos County. This event is often viewed not only as a tradition, but as a symbol of the health and well-being of our communities, our youth and our families. The annual Taos County Fair is rooted deep in tradition and celebration. Coming together to celebrate our rural lifestyle and catch up on the past year's friendships is what makes our County Fair such a great success.

The Junior Livestock Auction is a major highlight of this event. It gives our 4-H Club members, leaders, and parents a chance to show off the good works that our youth have labored on during the past year. It brings families together with our business community to provide a fitting reward for the hard work and accomplishments of our 4-H youth.

The Junior Livestock Auction is also the culmination of the work of the 4-H members. They have spent months selecting, training and raising their animals in preparation for the fair. The Junior Livestock Auction also provides 4-H members with the dollars to begin next year’s projects. Many of these 4-H youth save a portion of these funds for their upcoming college careers. Ultimately, the emphasis is on help ing youth remain involved in a program that teaches strong morals and values.  A  program that provides a drug-free environment and promotes citizenship, leadership and community involvement. All of this while teaching youth life-long skills.

How Can You Participate?

Participation in the Junior Livestock Auction can be done in a number of ways.

First, you can purchase an animal on behalf of your business. The purchase price of an project animal above the current market price is tax deductible. There is an added benefit to this purchase in that your business is publicized by the Taos County Fair Board at every opportunity that may arise.

Second, if you do not feel that you can afford to buy an animal on your own, you may want to team up with another business to bid on a project animal together.

Third, individuals who do not feel that they can support 4-H members through an individual purchase may want to consider joining the Taos County 4-H Youth Supporters.

The Taos County 4-H Youth Supporters is a non-profit organization comprised of a group of individuals who pool their contributions together to bid on 4-H project animals. The mission of this organization is to help 4-H members receive a fair price for their project animals by providing competitive bidding and purchasing during the Junior Livestock Auction. Each individual usually contributes what they can to help the cause, however these individuals do not receive specific recognition for their contribution except for the satisfaction that comes with supporting 4-H Youth.

Where Do I Sign Up?

Signing up to become a bidder is a simple matter of contacting the Taos County Fair Association prior to the annual Taos County Fair and letting us know that you want to come and support the 4-H Youth at the Junior Livestock Program. We will send you the details of the auction such as the date, time and any other information you may need prior to the Junior Livestock Auction. On auction day, which wil be on Saturday, August 29, 2009, you need to come to the registration table and receive your bidder number. Sturges Enterprises will host a barbecue meal after the auction for all successful Bidders in appreciation for your contribution towards helping the youth of Taos County. This meal is also symbolic of a Community coming together to share the successes and had work of your future leaders.

How Do I Pay?

Although it is preferred that you arrange for payment on the day of the auction, we are prepared to bill you for your purchases provided that prompt payment is made within 30 days after the auction. Our hope is that 4-H Club members are paid in a timely manner in order for them to realize their incentive and it would be just plain fair to them. Checks are not released to the 4-H members until all buyers have paid. Checks should be made payable to the Taos County Fair Association.