4-H’ers sell livestock during annual auction

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The annual Jackson County 4-H auction is often a time for saying goodbye to friends, both the two- and four-legged variety, and family with the hope of meeting up again soon.

On Saturday, the 4-H and farming community used the chance to say goodbye to Matt Bobb through the purchase of his daughter Morgan Bobb’s 4-H hog for $15,000, a record-setting amount.

“I had no idea. I was in awe,” Morgan said. “It’s amazing the support the community and the town has given me. It’s humbling. (My family) can’t thank them enough.”

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Morgan and her siblings, Emily, Jamie, McKenna and Tyler, lost their father, Matthew Lynn “Matt” Bobb, on Oct. 17, 2017, to a heart condition.

“This was his thing,” Morgan Bobb said, motioning to the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

“He showed hogs, and he is probably the reason I show pigs now,” she said.

Matt Bobb showed swine nearly his entire life, something that began with his father, Richard Bobb.

Farmers aren’t often known for showing a lot of their emotions, but they are often known for their generosity to the community where they were born and live.

The money was raised by The Friends and Family of Matt Bobb, a combination of the efforts and monetary contributions from the local agriculture and 4-H communities.

“This is a testament to how we support each other. We’re a big family,” said Heather VonDielingen, 4-H youth development educator with Purdue Extension Jackson County.

Morgan said her father very much viewed the community as family.

“(Raising the money) is something that my dad would have done if it were somebody else, too,” Morgan said.

Her hog, nicknamed Frank the Tank, is a 270-pound crossbreed that received the name because of his affinity for pushing things around and being the center of attention, she said.

The meat from Morgan’s swine will be donated in her father’s name to local food pantries.

Frank wasn’t the only friend leaving a caretaker at the auction.

Many of the 4-H’ers lose their animal friends in the yearly tradition that brings them sadness.

“It can be sad in a sense. I’ve had him for so long. He’s always acted so good. He’s been my buddy,” 14-year-old Lillie Wessel said of the crossbred she sold during the auction.

The Jackson County Fair is just one of several locations Wessel visits to compete in swine shows.

“Every weekend in May and June, I’ll be at shows,” she said.

She also shows at the Indiana State Fair, which begins Friday.

Kaleb Brown, 14, said he enjoys showing swine just as much.

“It feels good to get champion, but even if I don’t win, I still like to work with animals,” Brown said.

“(My pig) has been my best friend all summer. It’s hard to say goodbye,” Brown said.

But all the 4-H participants say they know that the goodbye is eventually going to happen.

“You’re going to have to get a new one next year, and I have to start getting ready for it,” Wessel said.

When it comes to the earnings from the auction, many 4-H members fall into two categories — those who save it for next year’s animal and those who save it for their future education.

Wessel said there are many expenses associated with raising an animal for 4-H besides purchasing the animal, including bedding, food, bathing supplies and more.

Much of her money will go to purchase more supplies, she said.

“They put a lot of hard work into it, and it’s not cheap raising livestock,” VonDielingen said.

Spending it on education is equally important, she added.

“We are a community and agriculture education program,” VonDielingen said. “We want kids to learn about science and agriculture through hands-on education, and helping pay for college is a part of educating future generations.”

Brinley Baker, 9, a first-year goat exhibitor, said she plans on saving her earnings to help with college costs.

VonDielingen said the businesses that come and bid at the auction play an important role by being involved in the community, helping potential future employees and furthering relationships with the farmers and livestock producers they serve.

“Jackson County has a strong tradition of community support both for the fair and the agriculture producers in the community,” she said.

The 203 animals sold during the annual 4-H livestock auction at the 2017 Jackson County Fair grossed $233,580. This year’s total was not available at press time.

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Year;total

2018;NA

2017;$233,580

2016;$212,775

2015;$253,425

2014:$249,000

2013;$241,700

2012;$241,790

2011;$237,800

2010;$193,696.60

2009:$193,550.86

2008;$187,180.50

2007;$146,425.96

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