SCC Youth Fair

How the Auction Works

2008-07-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Livestock Auction will be held on Sunday, August 3.

Here is a simple explanation of the auction process. Note that you can
(a) receive the meat,
(b) have it go to a charity, or
(c) reward a youth and let the meat enter the commercial supply.

The length of the auction is determined by the number of 4-H and FFA animals entered. There will be a limited number of chickens (pens of 2), a dozen rabbit meat pens (pens of 3), and a couple dozen turkeys. In the large animals there will be at least 25 steers (beef), about 100 swine(pork), 50 sheep (lamb), and 30 market goats.

This is a professional auction run by experienced, professional Auctioneers who work in the meat industry. An auction means that people in the audience bid against each other when an animal is brought into the ring; bidding continues until there is only one bidder left - at that point the animal is declared "sold" and the next animal is brought in. Note that the winning bidder usually represents only themselves, but that, especially for beef, may represent 2 or more buyers (sometimes 3) who plan to split the meat. There is an authorization form which permits the bidder to represent a buyer who is unable to attend.

Shortly thereafter a clerk will bring a sales order to the bidder for three things:

A signature
Disposition of the animal (deliver as meat to the buyer(s), give the meat to charity, or release the animal into the commercial meat supply)
If the meat will be delivered to the buyer(s), they will need to note the selection of a destination butcher (from a list given at the auction) for delivery of the carcass from the slaughter house (beef, sheep, goat, and swine only)

Small animals (poultry and rabbits) are slaughtered by the seller and delivered to the buyer as there are no commercial processing facilities available for those species.

In general the bidding is in terms of the amount per pound of the animal - the weight was obtained on calibrated scales when the animal arrived at the Fairgrounds the previous Monday. The weight is listed in the sale catalog.

When you arrive you have to sign-in to receive a bidder's number card (which you hold up to make a bid) and a copy of the sale catalog. For the four large animals there will be an extra cost added to your bid cost (weight x $/lb) to cover the processing at the slaughter house. This is about $75 for beef, and $25 or $35 for sheep, swine, and goats. The carcass is delivered to your designated local butcher. That butcher will usually contact you ahead of time to determine how you want the meat divided. You then pay the butcher for the cut-and-wrap when you pick-up your meat.

It is also possible to bid on an animal and not take the meat. There are two ways to do this:

You pay the full amount of your bid, plus the processing costs for one of the large animals, and donate the meat to a charity, such as Second Harvest. The entire amount is then deductable that year as a charitable deduction.
You 'buy for resale'; in this method the current market value of the animal that day (listed in the sale catalog) is deducted from the amount you bid; you pay the amount over that. The Fair then resales the animal to the slaughter house at the market value. The youth gets the full amount of your bid and you have only paid the difference. (example: your winning bid was $3.00 per pound; the Friday market price was $0.59 per pound; you pay $2.41 per pound, plus the processing fee if it is one of the larger animals).

In all cases, the youth gets the full amount of your bid, less a 5% handling fee charged by the Fair to cover the costs of the auction. This is the same deal a commercial grower gets when they sell their animals - the amount bid by a buyer less a handling fee charged by the auction house.

For the three larger animals a group of 2 or 3 buyers may band together to buy an animal and split the meat. They have to select a single person to perform the bidding process for them (usually it's one of the buyers). The cost will be divided between them, with each receiving an equal portion. Note however that the entire animal must be disposed in the same manner; for example, you can not take half the meat and donate the other half to charity.

You must pay before leaving the auction. In general checks are not accepted from first time buyers. Repeat buyers must obtain approval ahead of time to have their check accepted. Most people pay with a credit card, although we would like to discourage this as the credit agency collects 2.5% of the amount as their fee.

Also, all animals that go through the auction must be slaughtered; there are no 'live' sales - ie: the buyer takes the live animal when they leave, picks them up after the Fair, or the seller delivers the live animal afterward. If someone wants to buy a live animal they must make arrangements with a seller ahead of time; that animal does not go through the auction process.

WOW!

2008-07-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

I just saw the counts for Stills -- we have over 1300 entries! Stills receiving is July 19 and we will need lots of helping hands to sort the entries. Please try to come down for an hour or more and see these amazing entries first hand!

Gladiators, Island Dancers and maybe a Helicoptor

2008-07-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of organizations starting to finalize their participation in the Youth Fair! Everyone has been asked to make their booths fun and interesting for families. Here are a few that we are expecting:
--Island Dancers will perform for an hour
-- Spinning Wheel Demonstration
-- Christian Center is brining a gladiator arena and bounce house

I have heard a rumor that a local organization might bring a helicoptor ... fingers are crossed!

If you are interested in setting up a booth or performing at the youth fair, please send us an email or call the events office at (408) 494-3194.

Some visual aids

2008-06-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Some kids enter lots of stuff in the Fair! And why not, it is free and fun!

Look at these fabulous items from a 7th grade girl...

But Stills are not just for girls! Check this out...

Meet the Cybug Scarab. So Cool!

Do you have some great photos of entries? email me and send them for posting on the Youth Fair Blog!

Let's have some fun

2008-06-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Entering something in the Stills division is really fun. We entered for the first time 2 years ago and the experience was really a hoot. My daughter, then 7, got together with a couple of buddies and a couple of moms to make stepping stones for the garden. We used kits purchased at Michaels and worked together in a friend's back yard on a sunny afternoon.

The results were about what you would expect. Some mess, a lot of giggling and smiles all around. The stones were turned in to the Fair committee in July and we came to the Fair a couple of weeks later.

For those who don't know, there is a small but very dedicated group of ladies that put up the displays in the Stills building. They really work hard to make pretty vignettes that show off the hard work of the entrants.

For the little stepping stones, they really out did themselves! The stones were arranged on some artificial turf with plants and some other garden entries.

The look on my daughter's face was priceless! "MOMMY!! That is mine!" she squealed.

It was the icing on the cake of a fun experience and a great memory.

Things to know about entering a still.
1. Entry forms must be postmarked by June 14 so HURRY! (see link on the right)

2. The items does not have to be finished yet -- but must be ready by the "turn in date" (most entries are turned in on July 11-12, perishables are due on July 30-31)

3. You can use anything made in the from Aug 2007 - now, including school and scout projects

4. After turning in, the entries are judged (more on that in another post) and all entries receive a ribbon.

5. The Stills committee puts all entries on display. They are extremely careful and respectful of every item.

6. After the fair, entries can be picked up on Release day -- Monday, August 4.

Still Flyers -- Sheer Numbers

2008-05-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Still Flyers are now ready to download! Please help spread the word by printing and posting these anywhere you can.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THE WORD OUT!! Entries are due June 15 -- we need to cover the county with these ASAP!!

Feeling Competitive?? How about telling me how many flyers you post in public and the top 5 "posters" get a prize? Think YOU can be in the top?? Leave a comment with the locations you have covered, every spot gets you a point.

Get them here if you are on the fair planning team
Get them here if you are in 4H.

Places to consider posting...
(Remember to be respectful of property and get permission when needed)

Starbucks
Ceramic Painting Studio
Fabric Stores
Michaels
Libraries
The Jungle
Toy Stores
Jamba Juice
Art Schools

There are lots of groups that might be interested in entering Stills, too! You may need to talk with the Director to get permission to hand out flyers. Try these:

Scout Troops
Schools (might need district approval)
Day Care Centers
Summer Camps (through YMCA, Community Centers, etc.)

Stills Entry Form

2008-05-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

I separated the Stills Entry Form to make it easier to fill out.

Get the entry form here.

What is a Still?

2008-05-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

A "Still" is something you enter in the fair that does not move.
(thank you long time 4H leader for that succinct explanation)

These can be arts and crafts, food and treats, collections and more.

Who can enter?
All young people between the ages of 5-18 residing in Santa Clara County.

What can I enter?
Almost anything! Artwork from School or made at home, your rock collection, your favorite snack or treat... there are 24 divisions. Details for entries are available in the 2008 Premioum Book available online here: http://www.thefair.org/2008PremiumBook.doc

The Stills Divisions include:

Food Preservation
Menu Planning
Home Furnishings
Clothing
3D Artistic Products (like ceramics, garden art, puppets, dolls, etc.)
Graphic Arts (paintings, drawings, computer generated, art, etc.)
Needle Arts
Photography
Creative Arts and Crafts (jewelry, scrapbooks, toys, etc.)
Business (Resume, letterhead, newsletters, etc.)
Social Sciences (poster or panel that teaches or explains something)
Technology (robotics, motors, etc.)
Computer Science (program, web site, computer slide show or video, etc.)
Life Science (poster or panel display that teaches or explains something)
Woodworking
Baked Foods
Candy and Candy Box
Decorated Cakes and Eggs
Table Settings
Agriculture -- Horticulture
Honey
Floriculture -- Fresh and EverlastingFresh Floral MaterialOrnamental HorticultureHobbies and Collections (models, stuffed animals, stamps, rocks, snowglobes, etc)Vegi-Art

How are the entries Judged?
Most entries are judged using the Danish System. The Danish system of Judging is based upon established standards of quality for each type of product. In this system, each exhibit is judged according to how well it meets the standard rather than how it compares to other exhibits.

How do I enter?
Fill out the entry form available here: http://www.thefair.org/2008PremiumBook.doc and print page 71 of the 2008 Premium Book.

Mail to
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
Exhibits Office
344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111

When are entries due?
All entries must be postmarked by June 14, 2008!

Fun at the Fair

2008-05-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Santa Clara County Youth Fair is going to be all about good times this year. I hope you come join us for some good old fashioned fun!