Pie and silent auctions raises over $11,500 for youth pork programs

Youth participating in pork industry programs in the state of Wisconsin will benefit from the recent pie and silent auctions at the Wisconsin Pork Association's Taste of Elegance reception, which was held in conjunction with the Pork/Corn/Soy Expo, on Jan. 31.

The Pie Auction raised $10,300 for youth programs. Pork producers, corn growers, and industry representatives from around the state showed their support for youth involved in agriculture by placing bids on the assortment of pies.

All of the pies were donated by industry supporters and families involved in the Wisconsin Pork Association.

Those individuals were: A.V. and Ava Roth, Linda and Larry Eakins, Judy and Mike Wehler, Anna and Ivan Zettle, Bob Spurley, Judy and Mike Salter, Chef Robert Gamble, Diann and Gary Skalitzky, and Alicia Prill-Adams. Larry Teasdale and Randy Gill.

Teasdale-Gill Auction Co., LLC volunteered their time to serve as auctioneers for the event.

Buyers and contenders for the event included: Sauk County Pork Producers; Wisconsin Farm Bureau; Crop IMS; JBS United; Premier Insurance; Rock County Pork Producers; Sauk County Pork Producers; Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board; Tri-County Pork Producers; Neil Dierks and Doug Wolf; Dodge County Pork Producers; Grant County Pork Promoters; and the Deb and Fred Gay Consortium.

In addition, a silent auction was held to continue to build the Buell Gunderson Memorial Scholarship fund. The total raised for the Buell Gunderson Memorial Scholarship fund was $1,255.

Pork producers and industry representatives from around the state showing their support by donating an item were: A.V. and Ava Roth; Mike and Judy Salter; the Tom Knauer Family; Wilson Meats; Dodge County Pork Producers; National Pork Producers Council; Gary Wyse, Nedap North America; Rock County Pork Producers; Anna and Ivan Zettle; Dave and Kathy Graff; Joan Salesman; Mike and Judy Wehler; Pork Checkoff; and Wisconsin Pork Association.

Successful bidders for the Buell Gunderson Memorial Scholarship fund silent auction were: Guy Mathias, Kathy Graff, Mike and Sally Beisbier, Judy Wehler, Deb Gay, Kohl Farms, Cindy Bensend, Dave Wheeler, Ann Staslak, Melisa Schmidt, A.V. Roth, Steve Rosenthal, Linda Eakins and Gary Skalitzky.

The Wisconsin Pork Association's mission is to insure the future success of the Wisconsin pork industry. WPA represents the interests of the pork industry members with a strong emphasis on social issues, public and government policies, environment, animal welfare and safety.