Ribbon Auction Supports Dodge County 4-H
It was easier to get bidders to raise their hands than get some of the animals to cooperate during Saturday's Dodge County 4-H ribbon auction in Kasson.
Initial figures after the auction of about 100 ribbons were announced at nearly $25,000. The auction is the primary fundraiser for the Dodge County 4-H program. The money provides scholarships and year-round programming. Funds also help offset the cost for members who attend the State Fair. Saturday's final bid was earmarked for the purple ribbon fund for the State Fair and raised $1,500.
The top bid went to the grand champion overall dairy cow shown by Val Sauder of the Milton Climbers 4-H club at $800. The grand champion overall market beef shown by Sally Miller of the Canisteo Young Farmers club, the grand champion in junior dairy shown by Samuel Gochnauer of the Eden Progressive Gophers and Tyler Thayer of Young Riders club with his grand champion breeding heifer all fetched $500 bids.
4-H club members of all ages led their animals into the show barn, while animals of all shapes and sizes occasionally dragged around their 4-H student. Some cows wouldn't move forward, several goats refused to back up. At least one dog rolled around in the sawdust that covered the barn floor. It was not one of the obedience winners. Several animals weren't too interested in posing for the ribbon picture. Give credit to the 4-H members, who frequently wrangled with their animal, then turned on their pearly whites for the photographer. Once in a while the parent of a younger 4-H member stepped in to provide a little help.