Abigayle TuckerSummerville FFA

Hello, my name is Abigayle Tucker, and I am an incoming Senior at Summerville Union High School. I am a member of the Summerville FFA chapter in Tuolumne County as well as the chapter Vice President. This will be my fourth year in the FFA and is my fourth year showing at the Mother Lode Fair. I have decided to take a market lamb and a market goat to the fair this year. I chose the market lamb and market goat because I feel that goats as well as lambs have very unique personalities that make them enjoyable to raise and work with. Despite the current hard times I am thankful that we are still able to host an online auction. I began my lamb project at the beginning of March and the market goat project in April. I have spent most of my time over the summer and the last portion of the school year raising and investing a lot of time, money, and effort into my livestock projects. Before my lamb and goat arrived I researched what foot to feed them and how to properly exercise them to gain proper muscling. I look forward to expanding my projects in future years and possibly bring a market steer next year. I have learned many new things this year, and plan on learning much more in the future. My future goals are to become an agriculture mechanic.

I have learned countless things from my projects, such as learning how to properly manage time between caring for my animals, cheerleading and softball. This year I decided to show animals at the fair because it is a great experience and I greatly enjoy the event that brings this community together. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you will consider supporting myself and my fellow exhibitors.

Thank you,

Abigayle Tucker

Audrey RuddSummerville FFA

Dear Community members,

My name is Audrey Rudd, I just finished my junior year at Summerville High, I am a second-year member and 2019-2020 Secretary of Summerville FFA! This year, I am raising a wether lamb named Oaken. He is currently 6 months old and weighs 150lbs. I expect him to be 155lbs by market, and am using a feeding regimen that will keep him on track to be a healthy weight for processing. FFA has been an amazing part of my education and my life, it has taught me responsibility, dependability, and helped me better my understanding of the Agricultural community. This organization has also helped me better my public speaking skills through leading chapter meetings as an officer, become more outgoing by meeting new people at conferences and regional meetings, and has given me more confidence in myself as I have raised 3 healthy animals during my two years as an FFA member. The profit from my project will go towards my savings for my animal next year, and to start a breeding project with my boer goat doe. Although our fair looks different this year, myself, and fellow livestock showmen, are still very excited to be participating in this amazing community event. Thank you for your consideration and your support!

Sincerely,

Audrey Rudd, Summerville FFA

Austin CastanedaMother Lode Sheep

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, I am 12 year old Austin Castaneda. This is my 4th year in the Foothill 4-H group. Over the past 4 years I have raised lambs, goats, chickens, and rabbits. I also participate in the .22 4-H rifle program, trap, and I play soccer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our 2020 Mother Lode Fair has been canceled, but thankfully the Junior Livestock Auction and Small Livestock Auction have been moved to online! If you enjoy a nice Rack of Lamb, please take this opportunity to bid online and hopefully purchase my lamb.

The virtual auction will be at 3 PM on Friday, July 3rd and will begin closing at 9 AM Sunday, July 5th.

Buyers can pre-register through the link at www.motherlodefair.org. Sign in to the system in the upper right corner and choose “Buyer” in the “I am a…” drop-down menu. You’ll receive an email with instructions the day before the sale opens.

We all know these are hard times right now and if you are unable to participate and buy or buy an animal, but still would like to help out myself or another 4-H member or FFA members consider doing an ADD-ON BID! For 2020 only, we are allowing add-on bids. An add-on bid can be placed on any lot in our auction up until Friday, July 10th. You can add any amount you wish. It’s a great way to support an exhibitor with a smaller donation.

If you have any questions for me, please call the fair office.

Thank you in advance!

Eli IngallsIndependent

Dear Potential Mother Lode Fair Buyer,

On March 2, 2020 I started my fourth year of participate in the Mother Lode Fair, with all my intentions and efforts going towards having a successful year. Over the past four years I have won supreme champion and reserve supreme champion market goat, as well as supreme champion market lamb. In 2019 I was the round robin winner, and have won lamb and goat showmanship multiple times. This year, I am raising a market goat as well as a market lamb, along with the continuation and expansion of my boer goat breeding stock.

I have three does, two of which will be bred this year and will hopefully kid in the winter with offspring for next year’s fair. This year my oldest doe did not take the first round so its offspring is not old enough to be shown at the 2020 Mother Lode Fair. So, I had to purchase my market goat this year.

Prior to COVID-19 I was looking forward to exhibiting 3 does, 1 buck, a market goat, and a market lamb. But unfortunately this year’s fair has been canceled due to public health and safety. But there will still be a virtual auction held on Friday July 3 at 3 o’clock and ends on Sunday July 5 at 9 am, with the option of add ons that close on July 10th. Buyers can register on https://motherlode.fairwire.com to participate in the auction. The animals will be judged and weighed prior to the auction. The top four of each species will be selected to determine 4-H and FFA champions to determine the Supreme champions.

I understand that everybody has suffered during this time of hardship. I am not looking to make money but just break even with my projects, if possible. I have been very blessed by the community as have other members in the past years. Thank you for all the support you’ve given everybody, I truly appreciate you.

If you are looking for a quality product to fill your freezer, I hope you will consider being a buyer for the Mother Lode Fair online livestock auction July 3-5th.

Sincerely,

Eli Ingalls

Emily CostaMother Lode Sheep

My name is Emily Costa. I am 11 years old and just finished 6th

grade at Soulsbyville School. This is my third year in the Tuolumne Pioneers 4-H club. This year, I was our club reporter, received my bronze star and had perfect attendance for my club. In school, I did cross country, soccer and volleyball. I am also in the GATE program. When I grow up I want to be an engineer. I love science and building. With my lamb money, I am going to put that towards college to make that possible.

This is my lamb, Jeremiah Liam. I would like to ask that you consider purchasing him this year at the Mother Lode Fair Online Auction. He has stayed healthy the whole time I have had him. I feed him, make sure he has fresh, clean water and take him on lots of walks so that he has great muscle and the right finish to make the best tasting lamb possible.

This year’s fair will be online. I am too young to have social media so if you have any questions for me, would like to see more pictures or a video with my lamb, please contact the Fair Office.

This year the fair is doing something called an “add-on.” This is where you support an exhibitor for all their hard work, with a smaller donation. I know this has been a tough time for businesses, so if you are not able to purchase mine or anyone else’s animal this year, I just appreciate your time reading my letter.

Emma CastilloDon Pedro FFA

Dear Potential Buyer,

My name is Emma Castillo, I am currently a junior at Don Pedro High school. I am also the chapter president for our FFA program. I will be auctioning off a market lamb this year at the Motherlode Fair. I would like to invite you to the small livestock auction. Although this year things will be a bit different due to COVID- 19. This year the auction will be hosted online. The website is https://motherlode.fairwire.com/buyerlogon.aspx. During the auction if any assistance is needed feel free to call the fairs main office number (209) 532-7428. If you do not want to purchase an animal they are also allowing “bumps” of any large or small donation amount.

This year, just like every other, has been a journey full of constant work and preparation. Since last year I have started to gain a liking when it came to raising market lambs. Not only is it a new project for me where I am able to improve in all areas, but it benefits greatly when it comes to the auction. This year I have been raising another market lamb for the fair. I have been making sure he is well cared for with a full clean water bucket, clean feeder, appropriate amount of food, and clean efficient shelter. I make sure that he is properly groomed and handled with. I usually go out to his pen and brush him, pet him, sit with him, overall create a bond with him. His favorite is being scratched behind the ears and his face rubbed. He could let me do it for hours! Working with him and seeing how much we have both improved has left me with the feeling of success. The money I receive from the auction will be going straight to my savings account. Which will then be spent on anything I need for college. My hopes are to attend Fresno State for an AG degree and later go on to UC Davis. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to show another lamb this year. I also am very excited for the auction to take place. I would be forever grateful if you could spare some time to log onto the website to view and bid on the auction.

Thank you again,

Emma Castillo

Emma RockMother Lode Sheep

My name is Emma Rock. I am nine years old and this is my first year in the Tuolumne Pioneers 4-H Club. For my first project I decided to raise a Market Lamb. I purchased my lamb from a local breeder, RocknM Club Lambs. I named the lamb Buster and he is a Suffolk-Hampshire crossbred. I have put a lot of time and effort into my feeding and exercise program to provide quality meat.

I am sorry to say that I will not be able to show Buster at the fair this year due to COVID 19. Even though our fair was canceled the Junior Livestock Auction will be held online this year. If you are interested in purchasing a lamb, I would encourage you to register for the online auction at www.motherlodefair.org.

Also, this year there is an Add-On Bid option if you would like to help out but don’t want to buy an animal. I would really appreciate any support you can give during this time. Any profit I make will be reinvested into next year’s project.

Thank you for your consideration.

Emma Rock

Hailey GilmoreSummerville FFA

Hannah CastanedaSonora FFA

I am a proud member of the Tuolumne County 4-H, as well as Sonora High FFA Chapter. Throughout the 7 years of being a 4-H member and 2 years of being an FFA member, I have raised chickens, rabbits, horses, lambs, and goats, and I was in the sewing project. This is my third year as a Tuolumne County 4-H Ambassador. This year I am raising a lamb as well as a market rabbit. My lamb’s name is Wilson and he has quality and savory lamb chops that would be perfect for your freezer!

Many citizens are not completely aware of where and how their processed foods have been handled, but I can assure you that my livestock has been exceedingly fed, watered, and exercised. Therefore it will be extremely certain that you as a buyer would be consuming premium meat.

Many of the youth involved in a livestock project are devastated due to the cancelation of our Mother Lode Fair Livestock show and auction. Therefore, the many people behind the scenes have worked hard to organize an online junior livestock auction in order for us youth to have the opportunity to have a marketplace for your projects.

If you would like to obtain more information and to register as a buyer, visit motherlodefair.org or if you have questions for me, contact the fair office. I hope you choose to support me as well as other livestock exhibitors during this hard time!

Jessica ReibinMother Lode Sheep

Hello, my name is Jessica Reibin and I am in Foothill 4H. This is my 4th year in 4H, 4th year in the Mother Lode Sheep project and 5th year raising sheep. I am 12 years old, just finished 7th grade and am native to Tuolumne county. I love raising sheep and am currently working with a local breeder to start my own commercial herd in hopes to provide Tuolumne county with good quality lamb for show and food. This year I have raised a Suffolk lamb I have named Scooter. He loves to eat and chew on my pants and go for walks. In my spare time I enjoy studying science, riding my horse Mac, and helping out at Kennedy Meadows. I am very passionate about helping veterans, law enforcement and first responders. This last Christmas myself and the Hi 4H group participated in laying wreaths at local monuments, cemeteries and the VA in memory of the fallen. I plan to continue with that work as well as launch another coco with a cop event to help bring my community together. I am unsure of what career path I would like to take when I graduate high school but I do know I want to stay active in my community and continue to raise sheep. Speaking of sheep, did you know that lamb is an excellent choice of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals? Lamb also has higher Omega-3s than most meats! Sound good? You can get yourself some wonderful tasting lamb at this year’s virtual livestock auction. Yes fair unfortunately has been canceled but you can still get yourself some tasty meat. This year the Junior livestock auction will be done all online. That’s right you can bid from the comfort of your own home in your Pajamas! Just go to motherlodefair.org to register. The auction will begin on July 3rd at 3 pm and end on July 5th at 9 am. Lamb isn’t really tasty to you but you still want to help? No worries! This year the Mother Lode Fair has also added something called an add on. If you wish to help an exhibitor you can register and add the amount you wish to give. For example, if you would like to give an exhibitor $10, you simply register and add it on, no need to buy the livestock and your add on is still a tax deductible donation! There are many great entries this year including Scooter!

Thank you for your time! See you soon!

Jocelyn LloydMother Lode Sheep

Kaileen St. ClairSonora FFA

This is my first year showing a fair animal and it is also my first year in an Ag class at Sonora High. I have had some experience with livestock, I used to help take care of sheep. I also really enjoyed helping out with them. I got to learn a lot about the animals and gained some new experiences and knowledge that is now helping me in raising my current animal. I was very shy before high school, but these past two years have made a positive impact on how I see everything. I am very social now and I love to hear what everyone has to say. Being in my first year of an Ag class is really fun. I have learned so much about agriculture, animals and also plants that I didn’t know before this year. It is so much fun. Getting my first fair animal this year, I was nervous at first but with my friends, family and my advisor beside me, I am very happy I got my lamb this year. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support from my family, teachers and friends. Thank you so much.

This year, I am raising a local Hampshire Suffolk Cross “George”. I got him on March 2, 2020 and have been working really hard every day to get him ready for the Mother Lode Fair. At pre-weigh, “George” weighed 77 pounds. I am currently feeding 2 pounds of Showtime lamb feed twice a day. I am so proud to be bringing my first market lamb to fair.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter and learn about myself and my animal. I really appreciate your support.

Thank you so much.

Liliana CallahanMother Lode Sheep

Dear Livestock Buyer,

Thank you for supporting the Mother Lode Fair Junior Livestock Auction! I would like to invite you to the 2020 Mother Lode Fair Virtual Auction, July 3-5!

My name is Liliana Callahan, and I am in the Foothill 4-H group in Tuolumne County. I have raised a lamb for the Mother Lode Fair. This is my 4th year as a 4-H member and I am 12 years old. I have raised 3 Market Swine, and this is my first year raising a lamb. It has been a rewarding experience and hard work. I feed, water, wash, and exercise my lamb. I learned how to shear the lamb as well. And he is looking great, and right on track for market!

As you may have heard, our fair has been canceled this year, but you still have an opportunity to view the auction online and possibly bid on an animal. I know that all of the kids in our county 4-H and FFA programs would greatly appreciate your participation in our virtual auction. Please go to www.motherlodefair.org for information on how to join the virtual auction and pre-register. There is also an option of add-on bids this year. This is an option for people who are not wanting to actually bid on and purchase the animal, but are interested in adding on a donation to an exhibitor.

Thank you for considering, being a part of making this a successful auction.

Sincerely,

Liliana Callahan

Lucas BergerMother Lode Sheep

Dear Prospective Buyer,

My name is Lucas Berger. I am 9 years old and in the 3rd grade at Summerville Elementary. This is my 1st year raising a lamb for 4-H. I am a member of Foothill 4-H and am part of the Mother Lode Sheep Project. I enjoy fishing, riding motorcycles, playing sports, hunting and being outdoors.

I would like to introduce you to Marty. I purchased Marty fromFresno State. He is a hamp-mix and my goal weight for auction is 135 pounds. I feed him 3 pounds of food in the morning and evening. I walk and run Marty every day. He has a lot of energy so we both get our exercise. I think he would be a good lamb to buy and I would really appreciate your consideration in purchasing Marty. If you would like to support me but do not wish to purchase an animal, you can make an “add on” donation that is 100% tax deductible. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Lucas Berger

Makayla YoungmanMother Lode Sheep

Hello, my name is Makayla Youngman.

I am a fourth-year member in Foothill 4-H and current club Treasurer. This year I will be sending my lamb Blanco to the Mother Lode Junior Livestock Virtual Auction. I estimate him to weigh about 140 pounds by fair. I bought him from Karen Bianchi out of Oakdale. I would like to invite you to the Mother Lode Junior Livestock Virtual Auction. Each animal will be sold by the pound and bidding starts on Friday July 3 at 3 pm and closes at 9 am Sunday July 5, 2020. you may partner up with another buyer if you would to and all information is on motherlodefair.org including how to register to be a buyer. The auction will be held on the ShoWorks Virtual Auction platform. During this difficult time, I appreciate your consideration of becoming a buyer for our virtual auction. This year there is also an option of additional add-on bids available until July 10th. An add-on bid can be any amount of your choosing to help boost the sale price instead of buying a whole animal. You do have to register to be a buyer to do any add-on bids. Again, thank you for your consideration of becoming a buyer for this year’s online auction. Please stay healthy and I really hope to see you next year in person!

Thank you,

Makayla Youngman

If you would like to talk to me, please call the Fair Office. I would be happy to answer any questions or tell you more about myself and my lamb.

Mattie ProctorSonora FFA

Hello my name is Mattie Proctor. I am a member of the FFA Sonora Chapter. I just finished my Junior year at Sonora High school, and my third year with FFA. My plan for my senior year fair project is to hopefully raise a steer which was something I have always wanted to do since the beginning of my life as a livestock exhibitor, every year that I show is working up to that goal. In the past I have shown a lamb in the 4-H sheep project but this year, my fourth year with lambs I have decided to show as an FFA member. My lamb is a Hampshire-Suffolk cross, he is a wether. According to our home scale on 5/13/20 he weighed 118 lbs. As of today 6/4/20 his weight is 130 lbs. his name is Ryker after Commander William T. Ryker (#1) from Star Trek Next Generation which my family and I have been watching quite a bit lately.

You can find Ryker and many other kids livestock projects on our fair’s virtual auction which I would love to invite you to attend and to support the kids of our county as much as possible.

Due to COVID-19, the Mother Lode Fair Livestock Auction in 2020 has been transitioned to virtual through ShoWorks. I personally would love to invite you to take part in this new way of virtual auction. Buyer pre-registration is now open. You can find more information about the virtual auction on the fair website https://motherlode.fairwire.com or call the main office at 209-532-7428. This number will also be available to call if you need assistance during the auction.

Bidding opens on Friday, July 3rd at 3 PM and will begin closing Sunday, July 5th at 9 AM. I do hope you will be able to attend this year’s auction to support 4-H and FFA project animals.

I sincerely thank you.

Mattie Proctor

Monica BentoSonora FFA

My name is Monica Bento and I will be a senior at Sonora High School. I have been in FFA since my freshman year, an dplan on doing FFA a year after I graduate.

I will be showing one animal this year, which will be my market lamb. I usually show my breeding goat as well, but the only wants market projects. I will be selling my lamb this year and was hoping if you would be interested in purchasing my animal, or would like to give a small donation for my animals in the future.

Due to the cancellation of the fair this year, there will still be a virtual auction from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, beginning at 3 PM. You can find my animal and I on one of those days. I would like to invite you to watch the auction. You can find the auction on motherlodefair.org.

If you have any questions, please contact the Fair Office.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Monica Bento

Nathaniel TuckerSummerville FFA

Hello, my name is Nathaniel Tucker, and I am a Freshman at Summerville Union High School. I am a member of the Summerville High FFA chapter here in Tuolumne County. This is my second year in the FFA and I have decided to take a Market sheep and Market goat to this year’s fair. I chose a Market goat and sheep because as a first year member last year I did a market goat and I thought it would be a good idea to expand my horizons and challenge myself a little bit. As of right now I am preparing myself and my animals for the Mother Lode Auction, which will be held from July 3rd to July 5th. I began my market lamb project mid-March and my goat project in April. I have spent most of my time over the summer and some of the school year raising and investing time, money, and effort into my livestock projects. Before my animals arrived I spent time researching which type of food would be most beneficial towards the growth of my animal as well as how to properly exercise them in order to gain the most muscle. I have learned many new things this year, and plan on learning much more in the future. My future goals are to graduate from Summerville Union High school and then go on to attend Florida State University to wrestle and play football and major in agriculture.

I have learned countless things from my two projects, such as learning how to properly manage time between caring for my animal and being a three sport athlete which means I am conditioning daily for the upcoming sports. I decided to take two animals at this year’s fair to take a step outside of my comfort zone and try something new and exciting as this is my first year raising a lamb.

Thank You,

Nathaniel Tucker

Nolan ProctorMother Lode Sheep

Dear Prospective Livestock Buyer:

Hello, I’m Nolan Proctor, I am 13 years old, a member of the Mother Lode Sheep project and my main club that I attend is Cloverleafs. This is my fifth year in 4-H and my fourth year raising a lamb in the sheep project for the Mother Lode Fair.

This year my lamb’s name is Lore. He is a wether, his breed is Hampshire Suffolk cross. I got him from the breeder in March of this year, I have been feeding him special grain and a light amount of alfalfa hay. Also he gets fresh water and exercise everyday. According to our home scale on 5/13/20 he weighed 120 lbs. Today 6/04/20 he weighed in at 136 pounds.

Due to COVID-19, the Mother Lode Fair Livestock Auction in 2020 has been transitioned to virtual through ShoWorks. I personally would love to invite you to take part in this new way of virtual auction. Buyer pre-registration is now open. You can find more information about the virtual auction on the fair website https://motherlode.fairwire.com or call the main office at 209-532-7428. This number will also be available to call if you need assistance during the auction.

Bidding opens on Friday, July 3rd at 3 PM and will begin closing Sunday, July 5th at 9 AM. I do hope you will be able to attend this year’s auction to support 4-H and FFA project animals.

I sincerely thank you.

Nolan Proctor

Riley HamptonMother Lode Sheep

Hi, my name is Riley Hampton. I was born in Tuolumne County. I live in Tuolumne and go to Sonora Elementary School. I’m in the 6th grade and have really enjoyed playing sports this year. I play basketball and volleyball for my school and play soccer for the Sierra United team. Doing well in school is very important to me. I also enjoy the outdoors, especially fishing at my grandparents’ house. Fishing is very special to me because my dad and grandpa have taught me a lot about fishing. I also enjoy hiking and hope to go on overnight backpacking trips this summer.

This is my second year in Foothill 4-H. My wether lamb is a Hampshire-Suffolk cross. I brought him on March 8th from a local breeder in Jamestown and named him Camo. I named him this because he appeared to be painted camouflage before his wool came in. My lamb weighs about 140 pounds. I have learned with having a lamb that it takes time and effort.

Camo will be sold at the Junior Livestock Auction which will be online this year. I would love for you to watch or take part in this year’s auction. Information about the online auction and how to register is on motherlodefair.org. if you have any questions please call the Fair Office. I appreciate your support of the Foothill 4-H club.

The 2020 Mother Lode Virtual Junior Livestock online bidding only (be sure to pre-register) http://motherlodefair.org. Auction begins at 3 pm July 3rd and closes at 9 am July 5th.

Sincerely,

Riley Hampton

Wyatt BergerMother Lode Sheep

Dear Prospective Buyer,

My name is Wyatt Berger. I am 11 years old and in the 6th grade at Summerville Elementary. This is my 2nd year raising a lamb for 4-H. I am a member of Foothill 4-H and am part of the Mother Lode Sheep Project. I enjoy reading, playing sports, hunting and fishing, and spending time with my other animals, especially my dog, Hunter.

This is Smokey. I purchased Smokey from Fresno State. He is a hamp-mix and weighs a little over 100 pounds right now. I feed him about 3 pounds of food in the morning and evening and am sure to walk him twice a day. I work with him constantly to make sure he is of the highest quality. He is a great lamb with a spunky personality. Last year I won Reserve Champion for 4-H so I am using that knowledge to raise another stellar lamb. I think he would be a fantastic purchase and I would really appreciate your consideration in purchasing Smokey. If you would like to support me but do not wish to purchase an animal, you can make an “add on” donation that is 100% tax deductible. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Wyatt Berger