What the Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock Show and Sale Is
The Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock Show and Sale is the finale of the Currituck County 4-H livestock program, which runs from December through the end of April. Youth buy a market animal from a farmer or breeder, train it to walk, stand and be judged, show it, and sell it at an evening auction. The most recent show and sale was held April 28 and 29, 2026 at the Currituck County Center in Barco, run by N.C. Cooperative Extension, Currituck County.
Along the way, youth learn animal care, health and nutrition, plus responsibility, decision making, record keeping and communication.
Who Can Enter
Youth ages 5 (including kindergarteners) through 18 who are enrolled in school and have not graduated from high school. Currituck youth may show steers, heifers, lambs, goats and hogs.
Show and Sale Days
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | Show (Tuesday afternoon) |
| Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | Show (Wednesday morning); auction in the evening |
All animals except heifers take part in the auction. Heifers are shown but not sold.
How It Works: Key Dates and Deadlines
- December 31, 2025: steers must be in the youth's possession (they are tagged by January 21). The $20 heifer fee, payable to "Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock Show," is also due by this date for every youth showing a heifer.
- January 6: deadline to register with the county office if you want staff help locating an animal.
- February 28: every participant must complete the online registration form and the 4-H online registration.
- March 2: lambs, goats and hogs must be in the youth's possession (tagged by March 16).
Heifers must have been born between April 30, 2024 and October 31, 2025.
Preparing for Show Day
The county 4-H office hosts livestock workshops to help youth prepare for the show. Dates and times are announced by the office, so ask when you register. Other showing and training events outside the Albemarle Area show also help build skills.
Fees
The published fee is $20 for each heifer exhibitor. The county page does not list a fee for the other species, so ask the office what applies to your animal.
Where
Currituck County Center, 120 Community Way, Barco, NC 27917.
Questions
Can my child sell a heifer?
No. Heifers are shown but do not go through the auction.
I do not have an animal yet. Can the county help?
Yes. Register with the county office by January 6 and call Stephanie Minton at (252) 232-2262.
How old does my child need to be?
Youth ages 5 through 18 who have not graduated from high school.
Who do I call about accommodations?
Call the Currituck County Center at (252) 232-2261. Request accommodations well ahead of the event.
Official Links
- 2026 Albemarle Area 4-H Livestock Show and Sale: dates, eligibility, deadlines and contacts
North Carolina Cooperative Extension: The Essentials
North Carolina Cooperative Extension serves all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee through 101 local centers, per the Extension overview. It is a partnership of N.C. State, N.C. A&T, USDA and local governments.
Programs
Program areas include agriculture, food and nutrition, 4-H youth development, environmental and natural resources, home and families, and community and rural development.
Find your center
The county centers list links each county name to its own site.
4-H and gardens
The 2022 annual report counted 188,255 youth in 4-H activities and Master Gardener programs in 83 counties.
Soil tests
Soil testing is free for residents until samples reach the Raleigh lab by 5:00 p.m. on November 30, then $5 per sample, per the NCDA&CS notice.
N.C. A&T
Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T focuses on small farms, food safety, families and 4-H, with special attention to small, beginning and limited-resource farmers.
Next steps
Call your county center before you visit, and bring a sample or photo.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Harnett County 4-H Art Showcase
Farm City Week 4-H art contest and display; entries are taken the morning of November 13, 2026, shown during Ag Day on November 14, and released at 2 PM.
- Harnett County Ag Day
Farm City Week Ag Day in Lillington at the Harnett County Resource Center and Library, set for November 14, 2026 and held each year in mid-November.
Lillington, NC | Organizer: Harnett County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension Official event details - Johnston County Youth Livestock Festival Supper
Festival supper on Friday, November 20, 2026 that leads into the Johnston County Youth Livestock Show & Sale held the following March in Smithfield.
2736 NC 210 Highway, Ste A, Smithfield, NC 27577 | Organizer: Johnston County Cooperative Extension Official event details - NC Youth Cattle Working Contest, Ashe County Regional
Regional round of the NC Youth Cattle Working Contest for youth from Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and nearby counties, at the Ashe County Agriculture Center on November 23, 2026.
162 Agriculture Way, Jefferson, NC 28640 | Organizer: N.C. Cooperative Extension Official event details - Catawba County 4-H Livestock Club
Monthly evening meeting of the Catawba County 4-H Livestock Club for youth ages 5 and older, hosted by the Catawba County Center in Newton; next meeting Monday, January 4, 2027.
1175 S Brady Ave, Newton, NC 28658 | (828) 465-8240 | Organizer: N.C. Cooperative Extension, Catawba County Center Official event details
All North Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.