By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As the lights dimmed in Pepsi Coliseum, Indiana 4-Hers from 24 areas geared up to sell their prize-winning projects as part of the 4-H Sale of Champions on Aug. 15 at the Indiana State Fair.
And even as the spotlight hit the auctioneer to begin the evening sale, no one could have anticipated breaking seven set individual records and raising a total of $222,068.
Records were set in following categories: Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, owned by Alan Hoffman of Tipton County and purchased by a group of buyers for $9,600; Grand Champion Meat Type Chicken, exhibited by Jacob McKinney of Noble County and purchased for $4,775 by numerous buyers; Reserve Grand Champion Steer, exhibited by Carson Eller of Howard County and bought for $21,800 by a large group of represented buyers; Reserve Champion Market Lamb, owned by Gil Alexander of Pulaski County and purchased for $13,100 by a diverse group of buyers; Champion Shorthorn Steer, exhibited by Chase Cunningham of Boone County, who sold his steer for $9,300; and Champion Berkshire Barrow, owned by Kyle Bontrager, of Elkhart County, who sold his barrow for $14,200.
Also, a record-setting sale, the highest selling animal of the evening was the Grand Champion Market Lamb, owned by Brett Slack of Whitley County. The champion show lamb was purchased by a group of 28 buyers, including the Indiana State Fair Buyers’ Club, Lantislane Suffolks/Holderman Family, M&M Show Lambs, IN Sheep Supporters of Brett Slack, First Federal Savings, Farm Credit Services of Mid America and FBI Buildings, just to name a few.
This year, was the second year in a row that the Sale of Champions has raised over $200,000 for Indiana 4-Hers, according to Andy Klotz, media relations manager for the State Fair.
According to Klotz, 36 businesses, organizations and individuals contributed to the Buyers’ Club, including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Sale of Champions Buyers’ Club.
Money from the sale helps support and award 4-H members, with hopes to attend college, purchase future 4-H livestock projects and develop future careers.
In addition, the Indiana 4-H Foundation also receives a portion of the proceeds.
For a complete list of the Sale of Champions results and buyers represented at the 37th annual sale, go online at www.in.gov/statefair
This farm news was published in the Aug. 22, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
