Nets $110,575 for capital improvements
The Greene County Fair Association usually doesn’t appreciate rain falling on its events, but last Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, was different. Association secretary Doug Hawn credits the rainy weather with boosting attendance at the first annual auction fundraiser.
The event, which started with a meal and featured an auction of ag supplies and services, raised $110,575 for a capital improvement project at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Chairman of the event was Rod Wolf.
More than 170 persons attended the meal, and auctioneer John Schaben volunteered his services to coax bids from 33 buyers of 60 items donated by area ag suppliers. One hundred percent of the purchase price of the items went to the Fair Association.
Donors included Agri Gold, Cargill, Champion Seed, Croplan-Winfield, Curry Seed, Farmers Cooperative, Golden Harvest, Jon Minnehan Ag, Kruger Seed, LG Seed, Mycogen, New Cooperative, Pfister, Pioneer Seed, Prairie Brand, Spangler Crop Consulting, Stine Seed, Van Wall Equipment, West Central Coop and Wyffels Seed.
“We’re very grateful to the companies and dealers that contributed to our first auction, and to the producers who bought at the auction. It was great to see the first auction be successful,” Hawn said.
Before the auction began, Schaben said, “I do a lot of benefit auctions where people end up buying all sorts of things they don’t really need. This auction is different, because everything you’re going to buy tonight is something you need to buy anyway. This is a great fundraising idea.”
The Fair Association (fair board) plans to replace the four aged swine and sheep barns with two larger barns. The two swine barns have already been torn down and hauled away. According to Hawn, one was in such bad condition that an accidental knock with a front loader caused the entire structure to collapse.
The project is being done in phases. Phase One is demo of the two barns and construction of a 72’ X 135’ four-season barn that can be used for off-season storage of RVs, combines, etc. It will be completed before the 2015 fair.
Hawn said that with the proceeds of the auction and cash donations already received, the Fair Association has about one-quarter of the funds needed for the entire capital improvement project.
All donations to the Greene County Fair Association or the Greene County Fair Foundation are tax-deductible. Watch for information about further fundraising.
