Carla Clark | For The Republic Adyn Dempsey shows his Grand Champion Market Beef during the Bartholomew County 4-H livestock auction in the Livestock Pavilion at Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ind., Saturday, June 29, 2024.
The annual Bartholomew County 4-H Livestock Auction brought in more money than any auction over the last 10 years.
More kids returning to 4-H is at least partly responsible for total bids to rise to $324,800 on Saturday, event spokeswoman Becky Speaker said. That’s 7% higher than the $303,350 raised last year.
For the second year in a row, a building at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds has been renamed to honor the memory of a deceased former fair board president.
The 4-H Livestock Pavilion will now be known as the Mark Case Show Pavilion.
Speaking during Saturday’s annual livestock auction, auctioneer Mike Mensendiek shared some thoughts with the crowd about Case, who served 24 years on the fair board before his death during a July 30, 2023 accident.
“Mark loved everything about the fair,” Mensendiek recalled. “He loved the fair food, being in the barn, the vendors he worked with, and seeing all the kids work so hard with their animals.”
Several items ranging from a rake to a box of pork chops were sold as one package to raise money for the recently-created Mark Case Scholarship Fund. Roger and Kelly Thayer submitted the highest bid at $4,250.
During last year’s auction, it was announced that the 4-H Community Building would be renamed after Larry Fisher, who served in elected offices as a law enforcement officer and spent 21 years on the fair board. Fisher died on Jan. 4, 2023, at the age of 73.
A moment of silence was held for both Case and B. Parker Newsom, a professional auctioneer and longtime 4-H supporter who handled the livestock sale for over 50 consecutive years. Newsom died shortly after the conclusion of last year’s fair at the age of 85.
Since it was a ‘premium only’ sale, all livestock sold Saturday went home with their young handlers unless the buyer made other arrangements prior to the event.
One of the auction’s most recognizable supporters is philanthropist and businessman Charles “Shorty” Whittington. When asked why he makes generous bids annually to help 4-H members, Whittington replied that “you get what you give” in life.
“If your help these kids, and they grow up and get in the business world, they are going to do really good things,” Whittington said. “It’s the people who show up that get to make the decisions, so helping these kids understand they have to be a leader, show up and speak out makes all the difference in the world.”
Another bidder was Jason Schroer, who said he volunteered to bid on behalf of the Friends of 4-H organization.
“We try to just help the kids that may not be getting the bids,” Schroer said. “Some kids get more than others, so we are trying to establish some type of base line for them.”
Schroer says he’s become a supporter of the 4-H program because it teaches young people to work hard and instill good values.
While it’s been several years since self-employed plumber Chris Fitzsimmons has been involved in farming, he has become a regular bidder in recent years. Fitzsimmons said he grew up in 4-H, and that his young sons are following in his footsteps.
”It’s a good program for them,” Fitzsimmons said. “They learn to take care of things, a lot about responsibility, and they make a lot of friends.”
The auction, which traditionally marks the end of club events during the fair, will often create strong, mixed feelings in young adults who are leaving 4-H after ten years.
Since she earned her high school diploma through home-schooling, 18-year-old Ruth Beck says 4-H members have been the only classmates she’s known.
“I kind of feel all these emotions, since this is my last year – and knowing today will be the last time I’ll be showing in that ring,” the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Beck said. “But I’ve developed strong relationships with fellow 4-H members. I’m sure some will be lifelong friends.”
And since Ruth has five younger siblings who are still in 4-H, she’s confident she’ll be coming back to help.
Leaving 4-H after ten years is “totally bittersweet,” says Gus Sciano, the son of Michael and Amy Sciano.
“I think some of us are ready to be done with the fair, because we’ve had a hot, long week,” the 18-year-old recent graduate of Columbus East High School said. “But then, it’s been such a big part of our lives. Maybe none of us really want this to end.”
It was while Riley Croddy was making preparations for her tenth and final fair as a 4-H exhibitor – rather than the final day – that the 18-year-old said she began to experience a roller-coaster of emotions.
“I’ve heard from many friends that it’s going to be sad to see all of us going in different directions,” the daughter of Tim and Diane Croddy said. “But we are all hoping for the best for each other and that we stay in touch. I hope we can continue to build on these relationships through agriculture and friendship.”
A recent graduate of Columbus East High School, Riley said the most important social skills she’s learned after 10 years of 4-H has been leadership, responsibility and accountability.
Another recent East graduate, 17-year-old Savanna Sullivan, says she’s having a difficult time accepting that her time in 4-H is over.
“I’ve grown up with these people for the past ten years,” the daughter of Bridget and Brian Sullivan said. “It’s definitely going to be tough after this week, realizing that we’re never going to come back here and see the same people. That it is never going to be the same.”
But Savanna said she hopes to keep close to many of her friends in the years ahead. She credits the program for teaching her about dedication, as well as helping her to develop a strong work ethic.
Top auction sale prices:
All sale prices are premium only, meaning the 4-H exhibitor keeps both the animal and the money from the winning bid unless other arrangements are made with the buyer.
Grand Champion Market Beef: raised by Adyn Dempsey; weight 1,348 pounds; $3,250 sale price. Buyer: Tony Bozell and KAL Enterprises LLC
Grand Champion Dairy Steer: raised by Dilyn Wiseman; weight 1,514 pounds; $2,700 sale price. Buyer: Tony Bozell and KAL Enterprises LLC
Grand Champion Barrow: raised by Brody Hege; weight 231 pounds; $2,900 sale price. Buyer: Southern Indiana OB/GYN
Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen: raised by Elijah Harrison; $1,300 sale price. Buyer: Columbus Industrial Electric
Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen: raised by Jonathan Meng ; $700 sale price. Buyer: Daily Feed & Grain
Grand Champion Market Lamb: raised by Kinze Fischer; weight: 145 pounds; $2,800 sale price. Buyer: Columbus Industrial Electric
Bartholomew County Young Farmers Ice Cream: $4,500 sale price. Buyer: The Whittington Family and the “Moose”. Bartholomew County Rural Youth is matching$3,000, bringing the total to $7,500 for the Vicki Schwartzkopf Scholarship Fund.
Mark Case Scholarship Fund (various items). $4,250 sale price. Buyer: Roger and Kelly Thayer
4-H Livestock Sale overview
Total Amount Raised: $324,800
Total 4-Her’s supported: 219 (up from 197 last year)
Registered bidders – 108, including 17 new buyers
Buyers – 96
Top Buyers: KAL Enterprises, S&J Equipment / Whittington Family, ICT (Innovative Casting), Kova Silgas, Case Construction and Friends of 4-H.
Historic Livestock Totals
2024: $324,800 (premium only)
2023: $303,350 (premium only)
2022: $225,425 (premium only)
2021: $193,205
2020: $108,000 (online auction)
2019: $255,686
2018: $257,420
2017: $271,671
2016: $264,097
2015: $310,304
Top auction sale prices:
All sale prices are premium only, meaning the 4-H exhibitor keeps both the animal and the money from the winning bid unless other arrangements are made with the buyer.
Grand Champion Market Beef: raised by Adyn Dempsey; weight 1,348 pounds; $3,250 sale price. Buyer: Tony Bozell and KAL Enterprises LLC
Grand Champion Dairy Steer: raised by Dilyn Wiseman; weight 1,514 pounds; $2,700 sale price. Buyer: Tony Bozell and KAL Enterprises LLC
Grand Champion Barrow: raised by Brody Hege; weight 231 pounds; $2,900 sale price. Buyer: Southern Indiana OB/GYN
Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen: raised by Elijah Harrison; $1,300 sale price. Buyer: Columbus Industrial Electric
Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen: raised by Jonathan Meng ; $700 sale price. Buyer: Daily Feed & Grain
Grand Champion Market Lamb: raised by Kinze Fischer; weight: 145 pounds; $2,800 sale price. Buyer: Columbus Industrial Electric
Bartholomew County Young Farmers Ice Cream: $4,500 sale price. Buyer: The Whittington Family and the “Moose”. Bartholomew County Rural Youth is matching$3,000, bringing the total to $7,500 for the Vicki Schwartzkopf Scholarship Fund.
Mark Case Scholarship Fund (various items). $4,250 sale price. Buyer: Roger and Kelly Thayer
4-H Livestock Sale overview
Total Amount Raised: $324,800
Total 4-Her’s supported: 219 (up from 197 last year)
Registered bidders – 108, including 17 new buyers
Buyers – 96
Top Buyers: KAL Enterprises, S&J Equipment / Whittington Family, ICT (Innovative Casting), Kova Silgas, Case Construction and Friends of 4-H.
Historic Livestock Totals
2024: $324,800 (premium only)
2023: $303,350 (premium only)
2022: $225,425 (premium only)
2021: $193,205
2020: $108,000 (online auction)
2019: $255,686
2018: $257,420
2017: $271,671
2016: $264,097
2015: $310,304
