Trimble County is a very rural county along the Ohio River about half way in-between Louisville and Cincinnati OH. with 95% of the residents residing in Trimble County considered rural and only 5% making up urban residents. The Trimble County 4-H program, being in a more rural county, has had programs focused mainly on Agriculture topics. However there has been less and less kids each year growing up on or around farms, Trimble County 4-H is attempting to shift some of that focus from Agriculture towards more Science, Education, and urban topics. However with Trimble County being 95% rural, we do not want to completely stray from our focus on Agriculture.
            The Trimble County 4-H Livestock Club teaches children how to raise and show animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. This year, our club had 22 participants involved, with eight participants being in the Clover Bud (five to eight years old) program. The Trimble County Livestock Club has one Certified Livestock Volunteers leading this club.
            Each 4-H Livestock Club member and Clover Bud member is required to attend a minimum of six hours of education in order to be eligible to show at the Trimble County Fair under the 4-H class. Within those six hours of education, each member learns valuable information on topics surrounding their animal project. Topics such as breed identification, skeletal and external parts, feed additives, nutrients, rations and feeding management, and disease recognition. Topics that are also covered are; grooming, judging, and showmanship.
            Each summer culminating the 4-H members’ project, they are given the chance to show their project animal in the County Fair. 4-H members, who qualify, by having attended a minimum of six hours of education, and attending at least six County 4-H Livestock Club meetings, are eligible to auction off 2 of their animals at the end of the Trimble County Fair. Each member keeps possession of their animal, and the money donated by each auction buyer, goes directly to the 4-H member they bid on. The 4-H member can use the money they receive by auctioning off their animal however they would like. Some members use it to purchase their next animal project for the following year.  

          The 2025 County Fair Livestock Auction we had 22 youth participants, 48 buyers, and the club raised another all time record of $60,300.  Which is $11,575 more than 2024, $23,405 more than 2023, and $32,620 more than 2022.