08/12/2026
’Tis the season to start talking about one of my favorite parts of the Northeast Florida Fair - Callahan, FL — the Market Animal Sale! 🐷🐮🐑
Did you know that you can support a local youth by purchasing an animal at the fair?
And before you think, “What in the world am I going to do with a pig/cow/lamb? I don’t have a pen for that!” 😂 — you do NOT take a live animal home!
When you purchase an animal through the market sale, you’re supporting the young person who spent months raising, feeding, caring for, and showing that animal. The animal is then processed, and you can bring home the meat for your family.
You do not have to own a business to participate. Individuals and families can purchase, too!
And here’s something else you may not know — you can go in together!
Maybe you want to support a local youth but don’t need an entire animal or don’t necessarily want to take on the entire cost yourself. Two businesses, two families, two individuals — or even a business and an individual — can purchase together and split the animal and the meat. It’s a great way to participate, support these kids, and still make it work for your budget and freezer space.
For local businesses, there are so many possibilities. You can support a local youth while filling your freezer, share the meat with employees, use it for company cookouts or employee gifts, or find another way to put that purchase to good use. Businesses should also talk with their tax professional about whether their purchase may qualify as a deductible business expense.
But my favorite part is knowing where our food came from and who raised it.
A local young person put months of work into that animal. They got up and fed it. They cared for it. They learned responsibility, animal husbandry, record keeping, finances, and the reality of raising livestock. That animal was well cared for and had a purpose — and in the end, it helps feed another local family.
This one is especially close to my heart because my own kids raise and show project animals. ❤️ But we’ve also experienced the other side of the sale. Through Keelco, we have purchased a pig and a lamb from local youth over the past two years.
Just tonight I cooked some of that meat for dinner, and every single time we eat it, we talk about how GOOD it is. Truly some of the freshest, best meat we’ve had — and knowing the story behind it makes it even better.
So over the next couple of months, I’m going to be sharing more about the Northeast Florida Fair Market Animal Sale, how it works, how you can participate, and why supporting these kids matters so much.
If you’re a business owner, an individual, a family, or maybe you have a friend or another business you’d like to split an animal with, PLEASE ask me about it! There are no silly questions. I would absolutely love to talk you through the process and help more people discover what an incredible opportunity this is.
Support local youth.
Support agriculture.
Know where your food came from.
Fill your freezer.
And remember — you don’t have to do it alone. ❤️🐷🐮🐑
