St. Croix County Fair is this week

Meat Auction is on Saturday it is not too late to bid and buy

The St. Croix County Fair begins this week on Wednesday in Glenwood City. It runs through Sunday with activities every day from judging to Mud Races. New this year is a Haunted House which is open daily along with carnival rides. Music, comedy and a draft horse show are just a few of the events you will be able to find at the fair.

The junior 4-H leaders have a special project this year, promoting the annual 4-H and FFA Meat Auction. It is an event that tops off a year or more of animal husbandry, for members as they take their products to ‘market.’ For many the proceeds from the auction sale give them a start on a college fund.

“I am a Junior Leader in the Rolling Hills 4-H Club,” said Anna DeWitt. “Every year the local members of the Meat Animal project try to sell their animals to local businesses.” However in recent years there have been very few businesses in the Hudson area that have been willing to buy from 4-H members.”

“One of the only local businesses that has continually bought from the Meat Animal project members is RJ’s Fresh Meats,” said DeWitt. “We chose to help the Meat Animal members this year as our project, hoping to encourage more participation by local businesses. Finding buyers is not easy to do by yourself. It is a daunting and difficult task especially for the younger members.”

Rick Reams of RJ’s Fresh Meats, remembers the first animal he bought at the auction was the grand champion steer. That was in the early nineties and he has participated in nearly every sale since.

“Agriculture is a big part of my business,” said Reams. “I know that being responsible for raising an animal and understanding what goes into our food supply is a good learning experience not only for the kids but their parents as well. Anything the kids learn can, that will help them in life it is important to support.”

From steers to chickens the auction brings to conclusion a lot of effort by the members to bring their animal to the auction, whether it is a1100 pound steer or an 8 pound chicken.

“It’s a great, beneficial and learning experience for the kids,” said Reams. “That first year, after I won the bid for the grand champion steer, the gentleman sitting next to me thanked me for helping with his daughter’s college fund. I had just bought her steer.”

“I would like to see more Hudson businesses get involved,” said Reams. The 4-H and FFA Meat Auction is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the judging arena at the St. Croix Fair Grounds.

Tags: saint croix county, business, agriculture