4-H Premiums Total $485,845 in Warsaw
Published: Friday, July 22, 2022
Kosciusko County 4-H'ers earned $485,845 in premiums on 284 lots last Friday during the annual 4-H auction at the fairgrounds in Warsaw. That surpasses last year's total of $415,767.
One change this year was the move to a premium-only auction in which the buyer pays a premium, or cash award, to the 4-H'er for their hard work. The 4-H'er either marketed the livestock on their own or arranged for the processing outside the 4-H auction.
Also, 4-H'ers were allowed to go through the auction ring only once and receive one premium representing that animal.
After the auction ended Friday, add-ons were accepted through Monday evening.
The day started with the annual Sale of Champions, during which 17 lots were auctioned off for a total of $69,935. Haley Nelson of Claypool topped the sale with her grand champion beef steer. A buyer's group (see list at end of story) paid $12,275.
The reserve champion beef steer was exhibited by Gentry Bouse of Mentone, who received $7,050 in premiums from her support group (see list).
Jared Beer of Milford exhibited the top project in the dairy steer show. Last Friday, he earned $4,475 from Beer's Lawn Installation, Polk Equipment/Tim Polk, Arby's 15, Chris Polk, Lake City Bank, Clunette Elevator, Deatsman Grain, Tom Farms and Lee Beer Farms.
Next was Taelyn Tom of Leesburg and her reserve champion dairy steer. The sixth-year 4-H'er earned $3,675 from buyers (see list).
Two special highlights of the auction were the 4-H royalty kisses. This year's king, Caleb Lechlitner, brought in a homemade kissing booth and invited anyone to come forward with cash and lips puckered. In return, he offered a kiss and a sucker. All of the bids were placed by toddlers, most of whom were Lechlitner's cousins. When the gavel fell, the children came forward to kiss the 4-H king, who is the son of Fred and Heather Lechlitner of Nappanee.
Just as the cuteness started to wane, two 4-H supporters, Gabe Ayres and Brian Zehring, approached the kissing booth with cash in hand—all in good fun. The crowd burst into laughter as they handed over their money and then simultaneously planted a kiss on Lechlitner's cheeks.
The fundraiser generated $1,725 to be split between the beef and sheep departments. Contributors are listed at the end of this story.
The 4-H queen usually sells a kiss to someone familiar to her, like her father or grandfather. However, Alyssa Swanson, daughter of Kelley and Eric Hollo of Warsaw, chose a young dairy calf as the recipient of her royal lip-smack. She puckered her lips while leaning toward the calf's nose. The bidding moved higher and higher, eventually topping $1,400. Add-ons raised the total to $1,435. Proceeds will go to the dairy and rabbit departments. Contributors are listed at the end of this story.
In sheep, Landon Bewley of Silver Lake received $6,280 from buyers (see list) for his reserve champion market lamb.
The grand champion lamb was exhibited by Lechlitner, who will show his lamb at the state fair. Also not selling were the grand and reserve champion barrows, exhibited by Bouse siblings of Mentone. Nash had the grand champion and Gentry showed the reserve.
Broc Fraley, an eighth-year 4-H'er from Leesburg, stood in the ring to collect premiums on his supreme champion dairy cow and grand champion Holstein. He received $5,505 from supporters (see list).
Swanson returned to the ring with her supreme reserve champion dairy cow, a Jersey. She earned $2,525 from the 4-H Dairy Committee, Bob and Kay Tusing, Kathy Boggs, Mike Swanson, Claudia Swanson, Pat and Kerrey Boggs, Greg Swanson, Bonnie Swanson, Horizon Bank, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Krull Kids and Kelly Heckaman.
In goats, Delaney Shriver of Akron earned a premium of $1,625 for the grand champion dairy market goat. Contributors included: Horizon Bank, Bill Leininger, Jesse and Rachel O'Hara, Terry and Cris Randall, LaPorte Construction, Lori Schrad, Thad and Rochelle Leininger, Bishop Farms, Shriver family, and Scott and Jenny Nelson.
Colton Martin of Warsaw was next with the grand champion specialty goat. The high bid of $5,340 came from a group of 25 supporters (see list).
Another goat winner was Jason Moore of Warsaw, who showed the grand champion milking doe. He earned a premium of $1,625 from the following supporters: Gretchen Rettinger, Sommers Vet Clinic, Jon Studebaker, Cottage Watchmen, Heartwood Planning Group, Brock and Gwen Ostrom, John and Neva Conley, Grandpa Roger, Kevin Ousley, Chore Time Brock, Uncle Joe Muddy River Transport, Horizon Bank, Ot Schroeder/State Farm Insurance, Beacon Credit Union, Bishop Farms and his parents, Tim and Janet Moore.
First-year 4-H'er Brynn VanLaken of Kimmell earned $5,070 in premiums for her grand champion market chicken. Supporters are listed at the end of this story.
Addison Goon of Warsaw exhibited the grand champion market duck and earned $3,370 from Deatsman Grain and 23 other supporters (see list).
The grand champion market turkey was shown by Kaleb Kline of Claypool. He received $2,625 in premiums from a support group (see list).
In rabbits, Ella Jarrett of Pierceton and Elena Lawrence of Claypool showed the top meat pens. Jarrett earned $4,240 from supporters (see list) for the grand champion, while Lawrence received $1,095 for the reserve champion pen. Her supporters included Tom Farms and James and April Schmidt.
In other news, the Kosciusko County 4-H program donated $7,191.06 through its "Heart of 4-H" program that benefits area food pantries. Proceeds were generated through the Battle of the Barns competition and from 4-H'ers who donated a portion of their auction proceeds.
Five hogs were donated to this program by the following 4-H'ers: Cameron Zimmerman, Anna Seewald, Beau Goshert, Morgan Himes and Haley Nelson. These donations totaled 550 pounds of sausage valued at $1,974.50.
Support Groups
Grand champion beef steer–Bishop Farms, Bruce and Beth Lamb, Clunette Elevator, Fred and Heather Lechlitner, Crestview Commodities, Deatsman Grain Farms, Horizon Bank, Ferguson Farms, Tommy and Stephanie Stutzman, Marc and Jodi Beer, Stookey Construction, Thad, Rochelle and Jordyn Leininger, Dental Solution, Sam Beer Farms, Randy Hesser family, Lake City Bank, John and Kelly Heckaman, Randy Beer/Pioneer Seed, Mike and Karen Nelson, Ceres/Chad Patrick, Larry and Shirley Polk, Polk Equipment, Ramsey and Wiggins, Templin Farms, Sheets family, Blue Bottle Farms, Tom Farms, Gabe and Jessica Ayres, Burton and Henny Butt, Jay and Linda Haughee, Barry and Diana Ostrom, Elite Agronomy, GreenMark/Darren and Jim Sheets, Smith Lawn Care, Turtle Top, Dave and Becky Crosby, John and Peg Zimmerman, Payprotec, Providence Farms, Brian Wuthrich, Louie and Ruby Davis, Smith Family Farms, Coleman family, Lorraine Anglin, Smith Farms, Good Excavating, Poet, CereServ, Rich and Christine Brown, CTB, Sands Family Farms, Coldwell Banker/Sally Bailey team, Arbys, the Duncan family, Louis Dreyfus, Brian and Janel Zehring, Jared and Kelsey Haughee family, Dave and Angie Jarrett, Joel and Karla Shepherd, Everest Excavating, Bouse Farms, Adam and Ashley Armstrong, Ed and Tammie Boggs, Greg and Kassi Rowland, Stookey Family Farms, Allan Aldefer, Bowen Center, Chad Hockemeyer, Dale Stoffer/Bayer Crop Science, Dennis and Linda Birch, Diana Trisler, Dickerhoff family, Eby Trailers/Mark Simmons, Eric Camden, Glen Tires/Kevin Burkholder, Grady and Van Laeken families, Hohman Excavating, Jackson Templin, Jake and Raina Templin, Jared and Molly Templin, Jason and Britt Nine, Jim and Amiee Kintzel, John Nicholson/BASF, Lemler Oil/Jason Lemler, Parker and Sons/Rick Parker, Reagan Rowland, Reichert and Knepp, Rochester Sale Barn/Vince Hoffman, Silveus Insurance/Dale Miller, Stockvets/Dave Dixon, Hostetler Grain, Dr. Dillinger, Wetzel Insurance/Jake More, Leon Horn.
Reserve champion beef steer—Scott and Jenny Nelson, Joel and Karla Shephard family, Dave and Angie Jarrett, Coleman family, Providence Farms, Lorrainne Anglin, Dental Solutions, Barry and Diana Ostrom, Scott and Jen Sands, Fred and Heather Lechlitner family, Brett Cooper/Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Arby's 15, Ot and Deb Schroeder, Justin and Megan Tucker, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Hesser family, Brian Wuthrich, Bruce and Beth Lamb, Tom Farms, Chore Time Brock, Dennis and Sidney Tucker, Elite Agronomy, Templin Farms, John Zimmerman family, Karen Wolf, Trent and Katie Ayres, Brent and Shanda Branneman, Kurt and Priscilla Kammerer family, Jared and Molly Templin, Horizon Bank, Jared and Kelsey Haughee, Terry and Susan Bouse, Kyle and Nicole Ehram, Coldwell Banker Sally Bailey team, Sands Family Farms, John and Marsha Sands, Bishop Farms, Larry and Shirley Polk, Jason and Michelle LeCount, Sheets Family Farms, Steve and Teresa Ehram, Brian and Janel Zehring, First Farmers Bank and Trust, Ken and DeNae Mulzer, Chad Patrick, CereSolutions, Gabe and Jessica Ayres, Allie and R.J. Ayres, Polk Equipment, R.S. Miller Construction.
Reserve champion dairy steer—Gene Breedlove, Matt and Christi Sausaman, Max and Reah Tom, Conner and Valerie Sausaman, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Tippy Boat Co., Erb Plumbing and Heating, Turtle Top, Impact Marketing Group, Phil and Jeannine Tom, Casey and Carmen Westlake, Brandon Tom, Horizon Bank, Sirenna Tom, Lake City Bank, Tom Bros. Farm, Wawa Seed, Marlin and Jill Gaff, Helena Chemical, Doug Perris, Troy Tom, Larry and Rhonda Tom, Shipshewana Auction, Dan and Kari Knepper, Brian Wuthrich, Wakarusa Nutritional, Mark and Vickie Yant.
King's kiss—Chaz and Cindy Anglemeyer, Gabe and Jessica Ayres, Jeff and Amy Beer, Leon, Michelle, and Hazel Bontrager, Tyler and Missy Bouse family, Marty and Pam Brumbaugh, CereServ, Cory and Debbie Colman, Eric and Annette Flickinger family, Jay and Linda Haughee, John and Kelly Heckaman, Randy and Sonja Hesser family, Horizon Bank, David and Angie Jarrett, Brent and April Lamb family, Bruce and Beth Lamb, Phil and Mindy Lechlitner, Jon and Katie Lechlitner, Pam Lechlitner, Richard and Connie Lechlitner, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Aron and Kayla Leininger, Nappanee Area 4-H Boosters, Providence Farms, A.J. Risedorph, Greg and Kassi Rowland, Joel and Karla Shepherd, Riley Shepherd, Jared and Molly Templin, Terry and Karen Templin, Tom Farms and Lorraine Anglin.
Queen kiss—Tom Farms, Bob and Kay Tusing, Jason Ross, Dave and Angie Jarrett, Ot Schroeder, Warsaw FFA, Bruce and Beth Lamb, Duane and Rickell Kline, Rabbit Committee, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Jason and Michelle LeCount, Matt and Rachelle Hiles, Tom and Ashely Lozier, Dairy Supporters Group, Shawn and Lissa Krull, Brent and Renea Messmore, Tammy Boggs, John and Peg Zimmerman, Madelyn and Cameron Zimmerman, Leesburg Lions Club, Bishop Farms, Fred Lechlitner family, Jeff and Jodie Roose, John and Kelly Heckaman.
Reserve champion market lamb—Positive Energy Inc., Bauer Service, Becky Linville, Ayres Seeds, Lake City Bank, Shepherd's Chevrolet, Hohman Excavating, Silveus Crop Insurance/Joe Patton, Jerry Rose, Silver Lake Community Supporters, Poet Biorefining, Farm Bureau Insurance/Brent Cooper, Aron and Kayla Leininger family, DDP Farms, Fred and Heather Lechlitner, Brian and Rhonda Wood, Mike and Bo Holloway, David and Sherri Ayres, Louis Dreyfus, Horizon Bank, Tom Farms, Mark and Jodi Beer family, Thad and Rochelle Leininger, Brandon and Rebecca Spitler, Jesse O'Hara, Jason and Michelle LeCount, Peg Zimmerman.
Grand champion specialty market goat—Blue Bottle Farms, Louis Dreyfus, Jeff Brubaker family, Almar Stotobeer, Barr Design Group, Sue Martin, Tho Lippes, Tom Farms, Rich and Christy Brown, Two Old People from Minnesota, Megan Martin Health Coach, Stookey Construction, Brent and Renea Messmore, Interra Credit Union, Pacemaker Construction, Schackenberg Farms, Thad Leininger family, Duane and Rickell Kline, American Classic Steel Construction, Tim and Janet Moore, Roger Studebaker, Mike and Sarah Peterson, C.A. Smith, Arby's; Julie and Kurt Dumbar.
Grand champion market chicken—A.J. Risedorph, Jeff and Jodie Roose, Maureen Haab, Tom Farms, Bishop Farms, Jon and Katie Lechlitner, Matt and Wendy Grady, John and Cindy Van Zaeven, Adam and Brandi Niles family, Andy, Heidi, and Maggie Zaebst, Poultry Committee, Doug and Doreen Ruch, Adam, Ashley Armstrong family, John and Peg Zimmerman, Madelyn and Cameron Zimmerman, Matt and Melissa Linville family, Ross and Megan Heil family, Max and Margaret Grady, CFS-Milford, Doug Stump/The Turf Bar, Jeanine Reeder, R.J. and Kathy Nethaway family, Alderfer Bergen and Co., Dave Sands/Edward Jones, Dan and Kari Knepper family, Horizon Bank, Dennis and Leslie Darr/Crestview Farms, Doug and Jill Shock, Tim and Marissa Yoder, Grant and Alexis Ruch family, Brian and Jessica Taylor family, Kamele Oberlin, Kris and Danielle Pagoria, Kevin and Holly Kelly, Justin, Auden and Arlo Van Laeken, Mark and Denise Grady, Scott and Kelly Kaiser family, Fred Lechlitner family.
Grand champion market duck—Tom Farms, Mitch Goon/Thange Thompson, Bill Leeuw, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Poultry Committee, Horizon Bank, Nub and Mary Lowry, Bishop Farms, Chuck and Gene Marshall, Clunette Elevator, Steve and Sarah Hall, Tim and Meredith Miller, Lorraine Anglin, Fred and Nancy Powell, Gordan and Lana Drake, Toby and Julie Popenfoose, John and Louise Powell, Integrity Farms, Jon and Tina Goon, Travis and Gail Roberts, Mt. Ruska Repair LLC, Gabe and Jessica Ayres, Allie and R.J. Ayres.
Grand champion market turkey—Jeremy and Jamie Yates, James and April Schmidt, Jody Wilson, Sherm and Diana Keirn, Gabe and Melissa Fitzsimmons, Jeff Brubaker family, Rich and Christi Brown, Lilac Mountain Farms, Randal and Veretta Schnackenberg, Rob and Megan Martin, Manchester High School Football, Tommy and Stephanie Stutzman family, Poultry Committee, David and Angie Jarrett, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Dr. Rod Brehany, Doud Farms, Megan Martin Health Coaching, Horizon Bank, Warsaw Electropolishing, Duane and Rickell Kline.
Grand champion rabbit meat pen—J.W. and Jeanette Stookey, the Finley family, Chad and Maggie Bruner, Adam and Ashley Armstrong, Scott and Jenny Nelson, Fred and Heather Lechlitner family, Bouse Farms, James and April Schmidt, Tom Farms, Arden Schrader, Schrader Real Estate and Auction, Duane and Rickell Kline, Matt and Wendy Grady family, Sands Family Farms, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Ot Schroeder State Farm Insurance, Linda Riley/Ruoff Mortgage, Chris Polk family, Arby's 15, 1st Federal Savings/Julia Moore, Fred and Michel Bickel, Liz Decker, Shelly Dobbins/Ruoff Mortgage, Deb Paton Showley Group, Brent and Renea Messmore family, Foundations Real Estate Kami Johnson, Kathy Hamman Rema Results, Jason and Michell LeCount, Dennis and Linda Burch, Kurt and Priscilla Kammerer family, David and Becky Crosby, Templin Farms, Jared and Kelsee Haughee, Horizon Bank, Lake City Bank, Brian and Janel Zehring, John and Jan Jarrett family, Shawna and Ryan Harshman, Ryan and Emily Day, Joni Hire/Coldwell Banker, Larry and Shirley Polk, Sally Bailey family, Bill and Nanette DeGaetano, Triple B Ranch, Polk Equipment, Alexa Saylor, Gary Bailey, Brent and Lynette Markley, Lori Sanchez/Ertel Home Title Group, Bishop Farms, Joel and Karla Shephard, Dennis Polk, Brian Peterson Real Estate.
Supreme champion dairy—Bob and Kay Tusing, Dairy Committee, Lisa Teeple, Laura and Justin Curtis, Chris Lozier family, Lex and Corey Richardson, Tom Farms, Dave and Pam Hicks, Kuert Concrete, Dennis Polk, Polk Equipment, Brian and Janel Zehring, Chad Bruner, Scott and Janet Kammerer family, Bart and Melissa Kammerer, Richie and Christy Brown family, Nub and Mary Lowery, Monteith Tire, J&L Agri Service, Farm Credit Mid America, Lisa and Craig Charlton, Ken and Ruth Bond, Jim and Trish Smith, Ferguson Farms, Deatsman Grain Farm, Bishop Farms, Lake City Bank, Curtis Hatfield, Pro-Time Metal, Arby's 15, Chris Polk family, Smith Farms, Superior Garage Door Service, R.J. Keirn Trucking, Jerry Kammerer, Matt and Chari Gilsinger, Clunette Elevator, Lloyd Shroyer, Horizon Bank, Leesburg Mighty Farmers, Hesser family, Tracy and Travis Irwin family, Everest Excavating, Larry and Kay Kammerer, CFS Milford, Matt and Rachelle Himes family, Karl and Judi Keirn, Todd and Shelley Kammerer, Kevin and Leah Fraley, Joel and Karla Shepherd, Team Coldwell Banker, Reichert and Knepp Towing.
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