2026 Yolo County Fair    Junior Livestock Auction    Woodland, California

Please support my project

My 4-H MarketGoat Project

Raised by Barrett “Bear” Kirchgessner · Age 10 · 1st-Year Exhibitor

Willow Oak 4-H Boer Goat “Steven” Auction Aug 15, 2026

A note to local business owners

A letter from Bear

Dear Local Business Owner,

Hi! My name is Barrett Kirchgessner and I am 10 years old. I am a proud member of Willow Oak 4-H, and this is my 1st year raising a market goat. This year I am excited to invite you to be part of my project by supporting me at the Yolo County Fair Junior Livestock Auction.

Since January, I have been responsible for feeding, watering, exercising, and caring for my goat every single day. I have learned about proper nutrition, animal health, record keeping, and the hard work and responsibility it takes to raise a healthy market animal. It has taught me discipline, patience, and how to follow through on a commitment from start to finish.

At the fair, I will show my goat and then offer it for sale at the Junior Livestock Auction. When you buy my animal — or add to its final price with an “add-on” contribution — you are directly supporting my education, my future projects, and youth agriculture in our community. Every dollar goes toward my 4-H record and helps me continue learning.

I would be honored to have your support. Whether you attend the auction, place a bid, or make an add-on donation, it would mean the world to me.

Thank you so much for your time and for supporting a local 4-H'er!

With gratitude,Barrett KirchgessnerWillow Oak · Yolo County 4-H · Contact: Adam Kirchgessner, 916.599.9839


First-year Boer market goat

Meet Steven

Barrett with Steven in January 2026, about 32 lbs
January 2026
Barrett with Steven at the fairgrounds in July 2026
July 2026
Project Details
Exhibitor
Barrett Kirchgessner (Bear)
4-H Club
Willow Oak
Goat's Name
Steven
Breed
Boer
Project Start
January 2026
Starting Weight
32 lbs (1/27/26)
Target Sale Weight
90 lbs
Feed / Ration
Show Rite Goat Feed, Hay, Minerals & Supplements
Daily Care
Feeding, watering, exercise, grooming & health checks — every day

Steven's Grow-o-Meter

80 lbs now!
32 lbsStarting weight · Jan 27
90 lbsTarget sale weight

More than raising an animal

What this project
has taught me

Responsibility

Caring for a living animal every single day, rain or shine.

Nutrition & Health

Balancing feed, monitoring weight gain, and keeping my goat healthy.

Record Keeping

Tracking feed costs, weight, and expenses in my 4-H project book.

Follow-Through

Seeing a project all the way from start to sale — and sticking with it.

My favorite part of raising Steven has been taking care of him every single day and watching him grow because of the work I put in. I'm saving the money for future 4-H projects — and to buy my first car someday. I'm hoping for a Ford Mustang! This project has taught me that if you work hard and stick with something, it really pays off.

— Bear, age 10

Three ways to help

How you can support me

1

Buy my goat

Register as a buyer and place a winning bid at the auction. You can take the meat home (the fair coordinates processing) or resell the animal back through the fair.

2

Make an add-on

Can't buy the whole animal? An add-on is a flat-fee contribution — minimum $50 — added on top of my final sale price. Every dollar supports my project. (Details and form below.)

3

Come cheer me on

Admission to the Yolo County Fair is free! Come watch me show my goat and support youth agriculture in our community.

To register as a buyer or make an add-on

  • Contact the Yolo County Fair Junior Livestock office, or Adam Kirchgessner at 916.599.9839.
  • Buyers typically register the day of the auction; add-ons can usually be made before or during the sale.

Add-On Form & Details

An add-on is a flat-fee contribution added on top of my final sale price — it supports my project but does not include taking home the animal. Here's how it works:

  • Minimum add-on is $50 per lot (flat fee).
  • Add-ons apply only to animals that qualified and sold in the 2026 Yolo County Fair Junior Livestock Auction.
  • Pay by check or money order payable to AgWest Farm Credit — no cash.
  • Deliver the completed form with payment to the Livestock Office at the fairgrounds within one hour after the auction on Saturday, Aug 15, or to AgWest Farm Credit, 440 Pioneer Ave, Woodland by 5:00 PM Tuesday, Aug 18.
To add on to my project, write on the form — Exhibitor: Barrett Kirchgessner · Specie: Goat · Lot #: given on auction day
Download the Add-On Form (PDF)

Mark your calendar

Auction details

Auction Day

Saturday
August 15, 2026

7:30 AM — Buyer Registration & Hospitality
9:00 AM — Auction begins
12:00 PM — Sale of Champions

Event
Yolo County Fair — Junior Livestock Auction
Fair Dates
Wednesday–Sunday, August 12–16, 2026
My Show
Showmanship & Market — Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 3:00 PM
Location
Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 E. Gum Ave, Woodland, CA 95776 · Enter & park at the Gibson Street entrance
Coordinator
Darlene Thomsen, Auction Coordinator · 530-218-2161 · ycfjuniorauction@gmail.com
Admission
Free — everyone is welcome!

Contact me

Exhibitor
Barrett Kirchgessner
4-H Club
Willow Oak
Parents / Guardians
Adam & Kristen Kirchgessner

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my 4-H market goat project. Support from buyers and community members like you is what makes projects like mine possible — and it inspires kids across Yolo County to keep learning, working hard, and growing.

I truly appreciate your consideration, and I hope to see you at the 2026 Yolo County Fair!

With gratitude,Barrett Kirchgessner