Young exhibitors from across the area stepped into the sale arena Friday, Oct. 23, as buyers opened their wallets to support their hard work during the 2026 Trinity Valley Exposition (TVE) Premium Sale in Liberty.
The 26 champion entries brought a combined $253,650 in winning bids, with the Grand Champion Market Rabbit drawing the night’s highest bid of $50,000. A total of 155 projects crossed the auction block during the sale, with final totals still being compiled.
From market steers and commercial heifers to baked goods, artwork and agricultural mechanics projects, the sale showcased months of preparation by local 4-H and FFA members.
Among the highlights was a $50,000 bid for the Grand Champion Market Rabbit exhibited by Aubree Bettis of Anahuac Junior FFA. A group of bidders joined forces to purchase Bettis’ rabbit, making it one of the most memorable moments of the day.
In the market steer competition, Brogan Worthy of Liberty Junior FFA earned Grand Champion honors, with C. Hill Propane purchasing his steer for $23,000. Avery Smart of Hardin 4-H followed with the Reserve Champion Market Steer, which sold for $18,000 to First Liberty Bank.
Smart wasn’t finished collecting honors. She also exhibited the Grand Champion American Commercial Heifer, which brought $21,000 from Southeast Texas Solutions.
Caylee Anderson of Tarkington FFA exhibited the Grand Champion AOB Commercial Heifer, purchased for $17,000 by Nelson Equipment. Kate Gatlin of Liberty Junior FFA sold her Reserve Champion AOB Commercial Heifer for $10,000 to Dusty Gatlin, while Kinley Flores of Hardin Junior FFA received $20,000 for her Reserve Champion American Commercial Heifer from Maci Feed and Wingfield Construction.
In the market swine division, Dawson Baker of Tarkington 4-H exhibited the Grand Champion Market Swine, which sold for $9,500 to Nex Gen Group. Bradley Poole of Barbers Hill 4-H received an identical $9,500 bid from Community Auto Group for his Reserve Champion Market Swine.
Jeovanni Garcia of Anahuac Junior FFA earned Grand Champion Market Goat honors, selling his project for $5,000 to 1PointFive. Braelyn Goudeau of Barbers Hill FFA exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Goat, which brought $3,750 from Beverly Loftis.
The market lamb champions also drew strong support. Landon Taylor of Tarkington Junior FFA sold his Grand Champion Market Lamb for $12,000 to MBW Farm and Ranch, while fellow Tarkington Junior FFA member Mason Schwandt received $6,500 from Alex Mealer for his Reserve Champion Market Lamb.
In the poultry division, Dane Fitzgerald of Hardin 4-H sold his Grand Champion Broiler for $4,500 to Nex Gen Group. Keira Reynolds of Tarkington Junior FFA received $3,000 from Last Chance Feed for her Reserve Champion Broiler.
The rabbit division provided one of the day’s biggest surprises when Bettis’ Grand Champion Market Rabbit drew a flurry of bidding that quickly pushed the price to $50,000. Her winning bid came from a group of supporters who pooled their contributions for the purchase.
Stormi McCreight of Hardin 4-H exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Rabbit, which sold for $7,750 to Furlow Ranch.
The premium sale wasn’t limited to livestock. Young exhibitors also found enthusiastic buyers for food, fine arts, horticulture and handicraft projects.
Candon DuBois of Mid County 4-H received $2,400 from Moonshine Monkey for his Grand Champion Senior Food entry, a batch of s’mores cookies. Dawson Baker of Hope 4-H sold his Grand Champion Junior Food entry for $2,150 to Jonathan Stanford.
Sawyer Koen of Hardin 4-H earned Grand Champion Pie honors, with Bill and Tammie Wingfield, owners of Maci Feed, 2830 Storage and Wingfield Construction, purchasing the entry for $4,000. Another Hardin 4-H member, Shaylee Steele, sold her Grand Champion Bread for $2,500 to Maci Feed.
In the fine arts competition, Teegan Davis of Liberty FFA sold her Grand Champion Fine Arts Project for $8,000 to MBW Farm and Ranch. Coleman Smith of Hardin FFA received $2,250 from Mat Tech for his Grand Champion Handicraft/Horticulture Project.
Horticulture exhibitors also enjoyed their moment in the sun. Landry Oldham of Liberty Junior FFA sold his Grand Champion Foliage Plant for $3,000 to John and Sherry Ripkowski. Ashton Maselli of Hardin 4-H received $1,000 from Raywood Livestock Barn for his Grand Champion Colored Plant, while Dakota Maselli, also of Hardin 4-H, sold his Grand Champion Mixture Plant for $1,100 to Maci Feed.
Brothers Teal and Colt Kraehnke of East Chambers FFA teamed up to produce the Grand Champion Ag Mechanics project, a lowboy trailer. Their project sold for $6,750 to C. Hill Propane and Nex Gen Group.
The amounts reported reflect the winning bids during Friday’s premium sale and do not include add-on bids, which exhibitors may receive afterward.
The TVE Freezer Sale, featuring livestock projects that did not qualify for the premium sale, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24.
With 155 items sold during Friday’s premium sale and additional sales and contributions still to be accounted for, the total amount raised for local youths will not be known until TVE organizers have had time to compile the final figures.
