The second annual Canfield Jr. Fair livestock project took place Thursday. It brought out some of the youngest farmers in the area, all hoping to earn some cash for their hard work and help out a good cause in the process.
Farmers from the age of 9 years old up to 18 took part in the Junior Auction at the Canfield Fair. Their hopes are to sell the animals they have raised as food. And over the past few years, a new trend has appeared.
"The last couple years there has been a lot of interest in donating it to the local food bank so we got the Rescue Mission that loves to have that kind of donation, and we also have the Second Harvest Food Bank," said Junior Fair Director, Ward Campbell.
Buyers have the option of keeping the animal they purchase for themselves or donating it to local food banks. None of these animals would be here without the hard work of young farmers like Melissa Moliterno. Melissa said her animals keep her busy.
"There's a lot of things working with the animals, selecting the market animals and just making sure you're giving them the right feed, their staying healthy. A few weeks before the fair, you usually start prepping them things like with the goats you usually have to shave them. Just a little bit of everything. You have to make sure they are making weight and it's a lot of record keeping and there's a lot of time put into it," Melissa explained.
This is Melissa's 9th year showing animals, and at the age of 17, she said she has learned a lot from it.
"It's definitely taught me a lot. It's taught me about leadership, about responsibility. I got a job recently and I know that a lot of that has helped me. It's helped with my public speaking, definitely," Melissa said.
Organizers said they feel the responsibility taken on by these kids helps keep them on the right track.
Another Jr. Auction is scheduled for Friday.
