The Sonoma County Junior Livestock Auction set a new record this year, with buyers spending $2,453,846 on animals and student projects at the Sonoma County Fair — about $183,000 more than in 2024.
The four-day event, held Aug. 3 to 6, featured 653 animals including lambs, goats, rabbits and steers. Chickens, normally a staple of the auction, were barred this year under a statewide ban on poultry exhibitions mandated in January to curb the spread of H5N1 bird flu. A handful of agricultural mechanics projects made by local students — benches, tables and other goods — also went on the block.
Buyers ranged from national brands such as Safeway to local ranchers and business owners. Many return year after year to support the same young exhibitors.
“Once we start buying, it’s like, ‘Where are we going to stop?’” said longtime buyer Melissa Sykes.
Nearly 400 exhibitors, ages 9 to 18, were responsible for raising and preparing their animals, tending to everything from grooming and shelter to feed and weight checks to ensure the right ratio of saleable meat. Some even bred their own animals, a process that can take up to a year for steers raised from calfhood.
Sixteen-year-old Gracie Ascoop, a junior at Analy High School in Sebastopol, has been showing animals since she was 11. This year she sold a steer for $10,000 and a lamb for $5,000.
“I love raising animals, getting to be with them, taking care of them,” she said. “I also know the end point is to feed people — for me, it’s knowing I’m helping others enjoy food.”
For Ascoop, the tradition runs deep: her mother, Jessica, is a judge at the fair, and her grandmother, Patricia Baxman, is one of the event organizers. Both showed animals as youths.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re dragging a sheep around the ring,” said Jessica Ascoop. “We’re trying to make sure our youth can go out into the world and succeed. They didn’t raise a pen of rabbits by sitting on the couch.”
Not all animals end up in buyers’ freezers. For the third year, the Redwood Empire Food Bank partnered with the auction to receive livestock donations. This summer’s gifts provided about 14,000 meal portions, Food Resources Manager Colin Davidson said. One batch of more than 50 donated rabbits from Les Schwab Tire Center disappeared from food bank shelves in a single day.
“It’s bringing out the best in that person,” said organizer Baxman, reflecting on what young exhibitors take away from the event. “These kids aren’t afraid to get up in front of a group and talk about their projects. It’s about confidence in themselves.”
Her granddaughter agreed.
“It’s nerve-wracking,” Gracie said of walking into the auction ring. “But it’s exciting, too, seeing all those people out there supporting youth in agriculture.”
