Santa Cruz County 4-H and FFA youth who have been working on animal projects participated in a very different livestock show and auction this year.
Traditionally, the show and sale is held during the Santa Cruz County Fair, but because of the pandemic, the cancellation of the Fair by the County Board of Supervisors, the decision by the AZ Cooperative Extension Service not to allow 4-H to sanction a livestock show, and constraints on the number of people permitted to gather together, the Santa Cruz Junior Livestock (SCJL) Committee organized a two-day show at the Sonoita Fairgrounds followed by a virtual auction to allow the youth to sell their animal projects. (SCJL is part of the Champions For Youth Foundation, a 501(c)3 foundation serving youth in Southeastern Arizona.)
A total of 47 competitors showed their animals at the two-day show. Photos of each animal were taken, which were posted along with a brief biography of each competitor on the auction website. The money that the youth earn at the auction helps them recoup their expenses, fund the purchase of next year’s animal project, and save for higher education.
This year’s virtual auction raised $111,129, falling short of last year’s live auction which raised $207,200. The high selling steer, which sold for $8,355, belonged to Sarah Lyman, of Elgin. The steer was purchased by Rummel Construction, the high buyer at the sale, which successfully bid on a total of 14 animals. Auza Contracting, Inc., and the Vera Earl Ranch were among the top three bidders, as well.
Several donors supported the event this year by donating directly to the Santa Cruz Junior Livestock Scholarship Fund, including South32, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Santa Cruz County Fair Rodeo Association Foundation, David and Diane Balanoff, Los Charros Foundation, Jim and Ginny Cosbey, Taylor Burleson, and Black Oak Builders.
‘Champions for Youth’ Livestock Show Winners
Market Steer
Grand Champion
Addison Tomlinson
Reserve Grand Champion
Cash Allen
Champion Jr. Showmanship
Ellissa Byrd
Reserve Champion Jr. Showmanship
Addison Tomlinson
Champion Sr. Showmanship
Gabryella Dickey
Res. Champion Sr. Showmanship
Sarah Lyman
Market Goats
Grand Champion
Ian corona
Reserve Grand Champion
Stephanie Paz
Champion Jr. Showmanship
Rori Prentice
Reserve Champion Jr. Showmanship
Jair Corona
Champion Sr. Showmanship
Jessica Paz
Reserve Champion Sr. Showmanship
Amy Burleson
Sheep
Grand Champion
Ember Hubbell
Reserve Grand Champion
Brianna Young
Champion Jr. Showmanship
Jose Quiroz
Champion Sr. Showmanship
Brianna Young
Reserve Champion Sr. Showmanship
Ember Hubbell
Swine
Grand Champion
Dixie Meier
Reserve Grand Champion
Sophia Routledge
Champion Jr. Showmanship
Jayla Umfleet
Reserve Champion Jr. Showmanship
Bree Beyer
Champion Sr. Showmanship
Sophia Routledge
Reserve Champion Sr. Showmanship
Madison Vines