On Sunday September 9th twenty-six 4-H exhibitors from around the state sold one lamb each at the 16th Annual NH 4-H Market Lamb Auction at the Hillsborough Agricultural County Fair, held at the 4-H Youth Center in New Boston NH.

Travis Akerstrom of Canterbury earned top honors with his 124 pound Hampshire lamb. Reserve champion was a 98 pound Southdown owned by Sammy Patch of Fitzwilliam. Travis and Sammy were awarded the NH Sheep & Wool Growers Association Heavyweight and Lightweight market lamb championships, respectively.

This year's Highly Commended lamb was shown by Madeline Zimmermann of Hancock. Kaitlin Lewis from Weare earned Commended honors for her entry.

Four area businesses renewed their support for 4-H with auction purchases. Blood Meats of West Groton, MA, and Lemay Beef of Goffstown purchased several lambs apiece. Lovering Volvo of Nashua, Concord and Meredith and Conway Chevrolet Buick of Pepperell, MA also returned to the auction. These auto dealers double the goodwill as their purchases of the meat are donated to non-profit organizations in their communities.

Other buyers were Alex & Cathy McDonald, Kristina Hadley, Linda Milliken, Ronda Gregg, and the Kimberly and Gamond Families.

Lambs in the auction weighed an average of 106.6 pounds. The total value of the auction was $6,564. The average price per pound was $2.37, and the average price per head was $252.46.

Jeff Jordan was the judge and Dan Reidy was the auctioneer. Mark Johnson and Bill Weston were honored for their years of support. Mark has stepped down after eight years as the chair of the market lamb committee. Bill has been involved since the beginning of this program. YES all 16 YEARS!

Others to recognize in 2007: Ron and Carol Howe, Ted Sartell, Ronda Gregg, Debby Robie, Our T-Shirt Sponsors, The NH Sheep & Wool Growers’ Association, Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair, and The Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation.

If you would like information on the 2008 NH 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale call Jolee Chase, 603-641-6060 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Congratulations to Travis Akerstrom, Sammy Patch, Madeline Zimmermann and Kaitlin Lewis who won top honors with their market lambs at the 16th annual State 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale. Travis owned the Champion lamb, Sammy the Reserved, Madeline the Highly Commended and Kaitlin the Commended lamb.

Jeff Jordan presented the NH Sheep & Wool Growers' Association Awards to Travis Akerstrom who won the heavyweight class, and Sammy Patch winner of the lightweight class, at the State 4-H Market Lamb and Show and Sale held at the Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair on September 9th.

Jolee Chase on behalf of the State 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale committee thanks Mark Johnson for chairing the program for the past 8 years