Spanish Fork mayor tells county livestock show remains strong, highlights youth and scholarship benefits

Mayor Mindenhall of Spanish Fork told the Utah County Commission that the Utah State Livestock Show, long hosted in Spanish Fork, remains a strong community and youth-development program and asked the county to continue its partnership and consider participating in booster support.

“The ag industry is strong,” Mayor Mindenhall said, summarizing metrics he provided to the commission. He told commissioners that 2024’s livestock show recorded 723 animals with 298 sold at the sale; 2025’s show had 838 animals and 350 sold. He also said more than 33 local businesses boosted animals this year, contributing $18,050 to sale premiums, and that the local organization raised another $20,000 this year and $50,000 last year to fund scholarships for youth pursuing agricultural education.

Mindenhall read several thank-you notes from youth exhibitors to illustrate the program's impact. Excerpts read aloud included lines such as, “Thank you for buying my lamb. Her name was Venom,” and “Thank you for buying tiny Taco, my goat,” which the mayor used to highlight how sale proceeds go directly to 4-H and FFA youth to fund future projects and education.

The mayor described a sale-day moment in which Springville FFA brought special-needs students into the ring; he said one young man energized the crowd and raised his animal's sale price to about $1,200, and that volunteers and clubs re-invest proceeds into future youth projects.

Commissioners thanked the mayor and suggested the county could consider participating in boosters, as other counties do, to support youth exhibitors. The commission noted the county livestock show will be part of the county fair in August and invited residents to attend.

These remarks were delivered during the meeting's public comment period and did not result in a formal vote or action recorded in the transcript.