Soule: A 4H Lamb Joins the Family

Once again, this year, I signed up to bid in NH 4-H Livestock Show & Auction at the 2022 Hopkinton Fair, where fourteen 4H club members presented goats, sheep, pigs, and steers they had spent a year raising and tending. Hours before the auction started, a judge evaluated each animal, and each bidder was given a program listing the animal's breed and weight.
The 4-H's mission is to help young people develop life skills, including raising livestock, to help them become productive adults. It's a great program.

Successful bidders could take their animal home or have it processed for meat. Butcher Rick Lemay was on hand to transport the animals to Lemay and Sons Beef Packing House in Goffstown for processing.

It must be hard for the 4-Hers to auction off their beloved animals. But most of them are accustomed to supplying their family and others with fresh meat. The annual auctions give the bidding public a chance to reward their hard work and support humane livestock practices while putting delicious meat in the freezer.

Last year I bid on a goat named Hops and had every intention of processing him. Instead, I caved to his magnetic personality and donated him to the Learning Networks Foundation, which is the nonprofit aspect of Miles Smith Farm. Hops now has a permanent home with goats Trixy and Dixy, donkey Eleanor, sheep Abby, and mini-pig Tazzy in the Foundation's learning barn.

This year, I decided to find a lamb friend for Abby. Twelve-year-old 4-Her Katie Smith was standing with her Clun Forest wether (a wether is a neutered male lamb) named Wash, short for Washington. Katie told me the breed comes from the Clun Forest in Shropshire, England. These sheep are hardy, adaptable, and good foragers. And if Wash is any example, they are friendly.

When I reached into his stall, Wash nuzzled my hand. With black legs and face, handsome and friendly Wash was the perfect lamb for the Foundation's petting zoo. I decided, whatever the price, I would take him home with me.

My Bidding Confusion

Have you ever placed a bid at an auction? It can be confusing. In 2021 I was bidding on Hops when auctioneer Dan Chute stopped the action, looked me in the eye, and said, "If you bid against yourself again, next time I'll take it." So this year, I was so careful that I missed the final bid, and another buyer was declared the winner. I knew I'd lost but would not give up the fight for Wash.

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Carole Soule is the co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H. She raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com