MOco Meat Goat Youth 4-H Club buyers guide

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Any goat you buy at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair comes highly recommended. Every Meat Goat is well fed and raised by local 4H members. It meets strict weight and health standards. In one word, it is PRIME.

This sale is an opportunity to buy prime meat for your family to enjoy, your annual picnic, give as food for a local charity, or donate back to be sold to benefit 4H program.

This annual sale is held on the grounds of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, MD. This event attracts bidders and spectators drawn by the sights and sounds of the Ag Fair.

This years sale will be in person only on August 14th at 7:30pm. 

The social will be held at 6:30pm and the sale begins at 7:30pm. Bidders can register  at the registration table. Bidders can pick up an official list of Meat Goats being offered in the auction at the 

registration table. This list will include the lot number and weight of the animal. 

Nervous about bidding?? Let them know at the registration table and someone will help you. The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion always sell first in the sale and bring more money.

Here’s a brief guide:

- Goats will weigh between 60 and 125 pounds

- All goats are sold by the head. The average price in the 2023 auction was $1100 per head.

Of course every year the club hopes all the prices will increase. Our bidders know the quality is not just 

in the meat but in the youth who raise these animals. Premium prices at the sale are about rewarding the youth and the quality of the 4H program.

Do you want to support the youth and 4H, but money is tight?

A group of friends or co-workers can pool their resources to buy a goat and split the meat.

Is the purchase tax deductible?

YES – When you buy, you have a couple of options:

- KEEP. You can keep the goat and have it processed to full your freezer and your cost over and above the current market price is deductible as a charitable contribution. You can also donate the animal as food for a local charity, food bank, etc. In that case, your entire cost is tax deductible. Consult your tax accountant for your tax liability.

- DONATE IT BACK. You can donate the goat back to be sold later for the money to benefit the 4H Club, 4H Camp or a charity of your choice. The price you pay goes to the 4Her who raised the goat, the club will arrange for the animal to be sold after fair and the amount received will go to the chosen charity.

REMEMBER there are additional charges for processing you will have to pay.

  OK, I’m in. Now what?

- Come out August 14th and get a buyer number! 

- Place your Bid! – If you are the winner, show your card(s) to the ring person and your name or business will be announced to the crowd.

- SOLD! Donate it back if you choose. Please tell the ring person right away that you are donating the goat back and which organization is to benefit when the animal is sold after fair. Your gift will be announced to the crowd.

Walk over to the photo area to have your picture taken with the youth, the animal and fair royalty. You will get a complimentary copy at a later date.

You can have it go to the butcher or take it live after fair. Tell the registration table how you would like your animal processed. The volunteer at the registration table will be happy to help you fill out the cut sheet.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE!!

Thank you to all our bidders. Whether or not your bid was the winning bid, your participation is needed and very much appreciated.