What the Purple Ribbon Auction Is
The 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction is the sale of champion livestock raised by Minnesota 4-H members, held during the Minnesota State Fair. Purple ribbon winners in beef, lambs, goats, swine and poultry go up for bid, and the money flows back to the young people who raised them. It is sponsored by the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association (MLBA). The 2025 sale was the 46th, and the 2026 sale was held Saturday, August 29, at 6 p.m. in Compeer Arena.
Where the Money Goes
- To the exhibitor. Proceeds go to the winning 4-H youth as additional premium dollars.
- To 4-H. 20 percent of the funds go to furthering Minnesota 4-H, the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the MLBA/4-H Auction Scholarships.
- To scholarships. The MLBA/4-H Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction scholarships are funded by the previous year's premiums plus matching dollars from sponsors including Hy-Vee Foods, Hormel Foods, Cemstone and Minnesota Farmers Union.
Recent Results
| 2026 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total raised | More than $1.35 million | More than $1.3 million |
| 4-H members who sold | 115 | 115 head sold |
| Records | Six new record prices | Eight new record prices |
| Scholarships | $130,000 to 44 youth | 42 scholarships awarded |
2025 top prices
- Champion steer: $68,000, a new Minnesota record, shown by Kirbee Mulder of Jackson County and bought by Ames Construction.
- Champion market gilt: $23,500, a record, shown by Colby Darling of Nobles County and bought by Cemstone.
- Grand champion lamb: $17,000, a record, shown by Sylvia Chapman-Nesseth of Jackson County and bought by the Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation, Farmers Union Agency and Farmers Union Industries.
- Reserve champion steer: $18,000, shown by Keagan Steck of Pipestone County and bought jointly by Swanson Meats, Hy-Vee Foods and the Farmers Union group.
Buyers can also back young exhibitors directly. In 2026 the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation sponsored 25 market animal exhibitors: a grand champion and a reserve champion market sheep, a reserve champion market swine, four beef, three dairy steers, seven market swine and eight sheep exhibitors.
How a 4-H Member Gets There
The auction is for animals that earn purple ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair, so the path starts with entering 4-H livestock at the fair. Registration is through users.mnstatefair.org, and the 4-H premium book is posted each year in early June. Livestock departments cover beef and dairy cattle, dairy and meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. Daily auto passes for exhibitors go on sale June 22, limited to two per exhibitor.
Where
Compeer Arena, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108. The auction is part of the fair's twelve-day run; the 2027 fair is set for August 26 to September 6, 2027.
Questions
Who gets the sale money?
The winning 4-H youth receive the proceeds, with 20 percent directed to Minnesota 4-H, the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and the auction scholarships.
How much did it raise most recently?
More than $1.35 million in 2026, for 115 4-H members, plus $130,000 in scholarships to 44 youth.
Do I need to be a 4-H member to sell?
Yes. The animals sold are raised by Minnesota 4-H members.
Who do I call?
The fair's competition department at 651-288-4417, or the Extension Center for Youth Development at 612-624-2116.
Official Links
- Fair schedule: 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction: date, time, location
- 2026 fair wrap-up: 2026 totals and scholarships
- 2025 auction results: records, buyers, proceeds split
- Minnesota Farm Bureau: 25 youth supported
- 4-H competitions: registration and contacts
Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair: The Essentials
Minnesota county fairs ran from Hennepin's June 11 to 13 fair to Lac qui Parle's September 10 to 13 fair in 2026, per a county fair list. Dates may change.
State Fair
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ran August 27 to September 7, and the 2027 fair is August 26 to September 6, per the fair's recap.
Ownership and entries
Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15, and market animals cannot be leased, per Extension's animal ID page. State Fair 4-H registration goes through users.mnstatefair.org.
Livestock
The State Fair 4-H livestock departments include beef and dairy cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine, per the 4-H page.
Auction
The Purple Ribbon Auction raised more than $1.35 million for 115 4-H members in 2026.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and deadlines.
Weights, residency and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Minnesota State Fair
The Great Minnesota Get Together runs twelve days ending on Labor Day, with 4-H and FFA livestock shows, the Miracle of Birth Center and the Purple Ribbon Auction. The 2027 fair is set for Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, 2027.
- Minnesota State Fair CHS Miracle of Birth Center
Fairgoers watch live births of calves, piglets and lambs. The 2026 fair welcomed 160 newborns, including 10 calves, 125 piglets and 25 lambs, with Minnesota Pork Board volunteers helping staff the barn.
- Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show
The largest youth horse show in Minnesota, a statewide show and knowledge contest for qualifying 4-H Horse Program members. Admission is free. The most recent show ran Sept. 18-21, 2026.
1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108 | Organizer: Minnesota 4-H Horse PDC Official event details - Minnesota Beef Expo
Midwest beef industry event drawing nearly 5,000 people each year, with youth activities, educational sessions and a cattle sale. Admission is free. The most recent edition ran Oct. 15-18, 2026.
1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108 Official event details - Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.