Virginia's Highland County Fair
Virginia's Highland County Fair

Highland County 4-H & FFA Livestock Show & Sale Program

Week Schedule

Livestock Check-In – 7 am-10 am Tuesday of Fair Week
Goats & Sheep —10 am—Wednesday of Fair Week
Hogs & Beef —10 am – Thursday of Fair Week
Livestock Sale – 2 pm – Saturday of Fair Week

People showing sheep at livestock competition.

2024-25 Livestock Show and Sale Overall Committee: Jen Neil, Ben Hindman, Raymond Lightner, Michael Botkin, Christian Brock, Kari Sponaugle, Eleanor White, Brooklyn Bussard, and a 4-H & FFA Livestock Club Leader Representative

2025 Rules & Regulations

General Rules and Regulations

  • Exhibitor forfeits the right to participate in show and/or sale if not adhering to required rules and regulations.
  • Animals are entered and handled at the sole risk of the exhibitor and must be safely controlled for the show and sale. In extreme cases, the overall committee has the authority to remove an animal from the grounds as a safety precaution, which disqualifies the animal from this event.
  • Exhibitors can receive help from peers with project animals, but minimally from adults at the show and/or sale. Exhibitors must be directly involved in their animal’s grooming or within close proximity of grooming activities if they are being carried out by anyone other than themselves.
  • Suggestions or changes for the next program year must be in writing and submitted by mail on or before the third Friday of September to Highland County Fair Association Attn: 4-H & FFA Show & Sale Program, PO Box 366, Monterey VA 24465.

Nomination & Activity Requirements

  • The NEW combined Nomination & Exhibitor Agreement Form is shared and available to interested exhibitors at the beginning of the program year and is due March 1.
    Late Nomination and Exhibitor agreements forfeit the exhibitor’s participation in the current program year.
  • The Activity Confirmation Sheet will be distributed to exhibitors at the April 26 YQCA/Budget meeting. This form is due May 30 to the Highland Extension Office. Youth submitting forms during the immediate seven-day grace period must bring a $50 late fee with the form. NO forms or fees are accepted after the grace period.
  • A limit is set for the number of market animals allowed per exhibitor in the 4-H & FFA Show and Sale. Only animals

Registration & Membership Requirements

  • Exhibitors must be bona fide members of at least one organized Highland County 4-H club or FFA chapter on or before December 1. Youth can join both 4-H and FFA but will choose at time of nomination which organization they will qualify through for the Show and Sale Program.
  • Enrollment requirements include:
    • 4-H…complete 4-H Enrollment (v2.4honline.com). 4-H & FFA Livestock Show & Sale rules require membership in only one 4-H club
    • FFA…complete FFA Membership and pay dues to the FFA Advisor at Highland High School on or before December 1.
      A fifty-dollar ($50.00) late fee must be brought with late enrollments during the grace period (Dec 2-8). Enrollments after Dec. 8 are ineligible for the current year livestock program. 
  • Exhibitor must be at least age 9 or turning 9 as of September 30 of the current program year. The exhibitor’s age must not exceed age 19 as of September 30 of the current program year.
  • Exhibitors must complete the following (included but not limited to):
    • 4-H or FFA enrollment by December 1
    • Submit Animal Nomination & Exhibitor Agreement Form by March 1
    • Participate in a minimum of six (6) club/chapter- approved activities/meetings from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025
    • Register and attend YQCA Training, Budget Approval, & Assignments Meeting – April 26
    • Submit Activity Confirmation Sheet by May 30
    • Submit Heifer Nomination by May 30, if applicable
    • Beef Tag Day – June 7 (all beef and heifers)
    • Short Leg Tag Day – July 12 (all sheep, goats, and swine)
    • Pre-Show & Sale Exhibitor Lunch Meeting – August 26, after morning animal check-in.
    • Set-Up Saturday OR Clean-Up Sunday (sign-up required)
    • Educational posters PER SPECIES, for eligibility in the Premier Exhibitor Contest.
    • Exhibitor Profile by July 30 to benjaminh@vt.edu.
    • Record books due 3rd Friday in September
      Parents are encouraged to attend meetings, activities, and training with their exhibitor(s) and assist with assigned tasks.

  • An ‘activity’ or ‘meeting’ is defined by program advisors as a scheduled, in-person function of the local FFA chapter, a local 4-H club, or a 4-H County program where general club/chapter business and/or an educational program is conducted for no less than 1 hour. District/area or state events approved by advisors are considered activities. Specific activities (i.e., Junior 4-H Camp, National or State FFA Convention, National or State 4-H Congress) or an organized competitive team of at least three youth (i.e., Livestock or Poultry Judging Teams) lasting overnight or across multiple days is considered one activity.