HONESDALE, PA — On Saturday, August 15 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Honesdale, supporters of 4-H and FFA gathered for the 50th annual 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale, which began at 10 a.m. in the show ring. The sale tallied $650,350.75 in support of local 4-H and FFA members’ livestock projects. 

This year’s Wayne County 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale saw 408 market steers, hogs, lambs, goats and pens of meat rabbits cross the auction block. The resale of “buy-backs” ensured scholarships for the coming year with a $39,491 jump start for next year’s fund. 

Prior to the start of the sale, two 4-H members, Garrett Quigley and Jason Non, were recognized. In addition, D. Ellis Dix and Rob Terrel were awarded certificates for 50 years of service to agriculture at the fair by state representative Jonathan Fritz. 

This year’s sale also noted with regret the passing of Edward Pruss, livestock sale board member and retired Penn State Extension Educator. 

Eight 4-H and FFA Livestock Scholarship recipients, who will seek higher education or enter agribusiness in the coming year, were introduced. Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each were awarded to Molly Diehl, Mia Eccles, Kara Fries, Kendra Harper, Levi Martin, Garrett Quigley, Alissa Turner and Hailey Wasman. The scholarship program became a part of the Junior Livestock Sale in 1998, and since that time, 431 scholarships have been awarded. 

Scholarship funds have grown in past years, mainly as a result of “buy backs,” when animals are purchased at the auction, then donated back for resale to benefit the scholarship fund. Direct donations to memorialize a death or milestone occasion are also a means of adding to the scholarship fund. Contributions and memorials can be directed to the Wayne County 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale Scholarship in care of Orley White, secretary and scholarship fund manager, PO Box 591, Honesdale, PA 18431.