COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County threw its generosity into overdrive Saturday.
A total of $303,350 was raised during the annual Bartholomew County 4-H Livestock Show. That’s nearly a 34% jump from the $225,425 raised last year with the same number of 4-Hers, show organizer Becky Speaker said.
For the third consecutive year, the event was a “premium-only” auction. That means the 196 animals that were shown went home with their young handlers unless the buyer made other arrangements prior to the event, auctioneer Mike Mensendiek said.
Traditionally, many of the animals are taken to market to be sold. Any amount over the market price paid during the 4-H auction is called the premium, Mensendiek explained.
So what makes bidders pay large sums of money without anything in return? The two most frequent responses given by bidders over several years are “giving back to the community” and “faith in the 4-H program.”
But a reason outlined by Daily Feed and Grain owner Greg Daily last year is being brought up more frequently by 4-H supporters today.
“For all agriculture-related businesses, the family farms are their lifeline,” Daily said. “These businesses know the importance of getting the next generation involved in farming. It’s real important that everybody make a big push to try to keep the family farms alive.”
More than a few folks became teary-eyed when a community leader who served 20 years on the fair board was posthumously honored.
Effective immediately, the Community Building at the fairgrounds south of Garden City will be called the Larry S. Fisher Community Building, current board president Rick Trimpe announced at the annual 4-H Livestock Sale Saturday.
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