Three Lafayette County 4-H Youths Earn Recognition at Dixie National Junior Champions Sale

Ann Fleming and siblings Taylor and Wilson Leflore represented Lafayette County 4-H at the 57th annual Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions in Jackson, earning Reserve Champion honors in the Division 2 and Division 4 Market Goat Shows and earning a spot in one of Mississippi's most competitive junior livestock events.

The three youths were among 1,152 4-H and FFA members from across Mississippi who participated in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Shows, collectively exhibiting 1,759 head of livestock. Champions and Reserve Champions from the Junior Round-Up Market Divisions qualify to sell their prizewinning animals at the Sale of Junior Champions, where scholarships are also awarded.

The 2026 sale produced two all-time records: a Market Lamb sold for $13,500 and a Market Goat fetched $25,000, both the highest prices ever paid in their respective categories. Cumulative sales across the event's 57-year history surpassed $10.6 million at this year's sale.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson credited the program's reach well beyond the show ring. "Our 4-H and FFA livestock shows continue to be one of the strongest leadership and workforce development programs in Mississippi," Gipson said. "You don't have to look far to find the next generation of leaders in our state — just walk through the Livestock Barns and see them in action. These students understand commitment, perseverance and the value of seeing a job through."

This is not the first time the Leflore siblings and Fleming have stood out at the Dixie National. In 2023, Taylor, Ann Fleming and Wilson Leflore were recognized at that year's 54th annual Sale of Junior Champions as Champions of the Mediumweight Goat Show, Reserve Champions of the Light Heavyweight Goat Show and Grand Champions of the Division 2 Hair Sheep Show. Lafayette County 4-H member William Allen Flournoy was also recognized that year as Reserve Champion of the Light Mediumweight Goat Show.

The Dixie National, held at the state fairgrounds complex in Jackson, is the largest junior market livestock show in Mississippi. Eligible animals for the Sale of Junior Champions include champions and reserve champions from the Junior Market Steer, Lamb, Swine, Goat and Mississippi Bred Barrow shows, along with the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Hair Sheep.