The WNC Dairy Beef Feeder Steer Program is designed to introduce youth to livestock showing, feeding, and care. Participants in the program will be provided a dairy calf that they will feed and care for at their home or another approved facility from March through the 2026 Mountain State Fair when the calves are sold. Participants will attend an informational orientation to prepare them for their project, participate in other events/clinics where they will work with their calf, and conclude their project by showing and selling their calves at the WNC Mountain State Fair.
Please click on the links below to view the application form, rules, and program information. The WNC Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program Committee met recently and updated the application and rules so please refer to the links below for the most up-to-date version.
Due to calf prices, travel budget cuts and limited staffing, the 2026 project will be limited to Buncombe & Henderson County youth only and the number of calves may be limited.2026 Program Information
- STEP ONE – ORIENTATION: ALL youth interested in participating in this program MUST attend our MANDATORY orientation meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. This orientation will be held at the Buncombe County Extension Office (49 Mount Carmel Rd, Asheville, NC 28806). Youth MUST register for this orientation at: WNC Dairy Steer Program Orientation Sign-Up. After registering, you will receive a meeting reminder and extra details to help you decided if you would like to submit an application. *Each youth interested in participating must complete this form
- STEP TWO – APPLICATION: After attending the orientation and discussing the program requirements with your family, interested youth MUST submit an application for the program using the link at the picture below. Application are due no later than Friday, February 6, 2026.
