YOUR TRUSTED AGRICULTURE SOURCE IN THE CAROLINAS SINCE 1974

NC Commissioner Troxler: State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarship Recipients Announced

Mike Davis

The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced 31 recipients of the N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships to help fund higher education for youth who participate in State Fair Junior Livestock Shows. Funding comes from the annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions.

  • This weekend, we announced and recognized recipients of the N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships. A total of 30 students were each awarded $2,000 scholarships, and one student received a $2,500 scholarship sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.
  • They represented 23 counties across the state from Buncombe in the mountains to Pasquotank near the coast.
  • These students are or will be attending universities and community colleges around the country. There are a lot of N.C. State University students but we also have students attending schools in Texas, Mississippi, Kansas, Alabama and Virginia.
  • I am so proud that this educational scholarship exists and continues to be supported through the annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the Fair.
  • Since the program started in 2015, a total of $611,000 in scholarships has been awarded.
  • Not only does this scholarship program invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders and advocates, but I know that by participating in youth livestock shows, these young people have a solid understanding of where their food comes from.
  • That is especially important to me as many people today are two and three generations removed from the farm.
  • We continue to have strong support from the ag community and businesses for the annual Sale of Champions.
  • Last year’s Sale of Champions brought in the second highest total of bids at $213,000.
  • A portion of the winning bid goes into the scholarship fund and for educational and promotional livestock programs.
  • Any young person who participates in a junior livestock show at the State Fair is eligible to apply for a scholarship for higher education. They can apply every year they are in college.
  • So, I consider it to be a great win for everyone involved whether they are grand champions or not.
  • It’s a great program and I know these youth are going to go on to do big things. Congratulations to the students.