Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Buyer purchases totaled $360,000 at the 74th annual Wilson County 4-H Livestock Show and Sale held at the Wilson County American Legion Fairgrounds March 26-27.
The event is sponsored by the Wilson County Livestock Association and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.



The 102 competitors can use the funds generated from the sale of their projects toward college costs or the costs of next year’s 4-H projects.
“It is really wonderful to see how the Wilson community, how the people, businesses come out and support these 4-H’ers with their livestock projects,” said Norman Harrell, director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office in Wilson County Harrell. “It really shows how the community feels and sees how these 4-H projects help these kids and how good it is for them. It’s just amazing.”
Harrell said the competitors did “a wonderful job” preparing and then showing their projects at the event.
“One of the things I really enjoyed was the awards program when you get all the kids in the arena,” Harrell said. “You really see the power of it when you see all the kids involved with the program right there in one spot. I just thought that was really neat.”
Jackson Pipkin, 14, was grand champion market steer and junior reserve showmanship champion, while his sister Ruby-Ann Pipkin, 11, was reserve champion market steer and junior showmanship champion. 
“I was pretty excited. I didn’t get a belt buckle, but I’m not really into it for that,” Jackson said. “I was a little embarrassed because my little sister, Ruby, beat me in showmanship today. I am a little upset, but hey, at least I got reserve.”
Jackson’s market steer, his name is Kong, finished out at 1,225 pounds, and Ruby-Ann’s market steer, Stormy, finished out at 1,183 pounds.
“I am very happy of what I won today,” Ruby-Ann said at the event. 
The cheers of the crowd set her steer off a bit during the competition. 
“He is not a crazy cow. He just gets spooked really easily, so he is a little spunky,” Ruby Ann said. “I was actually surprised that I even beat Jackson. I was really tired and I was kind of discouraging myself because I knew Jackson was going to win.”
The children’s parents are Jason and Jamie Pipkin of Sims.
“It is very exciting,” Jason Pipkin said. “You are proud of the kids. You are proud of the hard work that they did. It all starts at home. It don’t start in the show ring. It starts in the house and in the barn. They commit. They do their work at home. They show livestock in other places and they enjoy it. They don’t enjoy the late nights in the barn washing and blowing, and trying to grow hair and getting drug around the ring and things like that, but the rewards when they go to shows and win buckles and banners, they enjoy that.”
Bryson Ingram, 20, who has been working with the Pipkin kids since they got into showing, was proud as he could be.
“These are 100% deserving. They work hard at it every single day and there is nothing that they won’t do,” Ingram said. “They are always out at the barn, always willing to do something, always willing to learn and always willing to work hard. I am proud of them and I am proud to say that I help them.”
The Pipkins are members of the Rock Ridge 4-H Club.
Other winners in the steer competition were Liza Sullivan of St. Mary’s 4-H Club. Liza’s 1,160-pound steer won best county calf.
Kate Hinnant, 16, of St. Mary’s 4-H Club, was senior showmanship champion for her handling of her 1,233-pound steer.
Annah Claire Sullivan, 16, of the St. Mary’s 4-H Club, won overall grand champion hog.
“I feel great, I am glad that I finally got one across. I am very thankful and humbled,” Annah Claire said. Her 269-pound pig hit his weight mark. 
“We were kind of banking on this one the whole time and he did it for us,” Annah Claire said.
Riley Ballance, 13, a member of the St. Mary’s 4-H Club, won overall reserve champion market hog and junior showmanship champion. 
“I don’t give all the credit to myself. My family helps with that a lot, and it is a family thing, definitely,” Riley said. “I was excited for Annah Claire. I was excited that my pig got a chance to do something. We are extremely grateful that we get to show all over the place and we are grateful for the show and sale and everything they put into us.”
Riley’s hog weighed 262 pounds.
Riley’s big sister, Logan Ballance, 16, was honored as senior swine showmanship champion. 
McLane Sharp was honored as best county market hog with a 241-pound pig.
Molly Sullivan earned the title reserve junior showmanship champion for handling of her 242-pound pig.
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