University of Wisconsin - Extension

Culver's Franchising System, Inc. of Prairie du Sac generously supported 4-H youth at the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation's Thirteenth Annual Governor's Sweepstakes Meat Products Auction. Culver's purchased the State Fair Grand Champion Ham, produced by Kickapoo Locker Service of Gays Mills, for $4,500. They also purchased the Champion Cooked Bratwurst, by Louie's Finer Meats, Inc. of Cumberland, for $800. Their total of $5,300 made them the high total purchaser of the evening.

Culver's purchase got the auction off to a winning start, resulting in a total of nearly $36,000 raised from auction bids, other sales, and sponsorships. These funds will be used for Wisconsin 4-H youth programs statewide.

The meat products auction featured the award winning meat products from the Wisconsin State Fair Meat Products Contest. The winning entries were donated to the 4-H Foundation to raise funds to support University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H programs throughout Wisconsin.

Governor Jim Doyle welcomed the 230 meat processors, bidders and 4-H supporters, before turning over the gavel to Auctioneer Gary Finley. The Governor was introduced by UW-Extension Provost and Vice Chancellor Marvin Van Kekerix. Greg Hutchins, State 4-H Program Leader, was the announcer for the auction. Duane Bunting, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Board President greeted the audience and received a $3,000 check from the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP). Tom Tasse of Hewitt's Meat Processing in Marshfield, President of WAMP, presented the check.

Other successful bidders were Alferi Laboratories, Little Chute; Booth Brothers, Milwaukee; Budweiser Pavilion-Lavin Group, Oconomowoc; Commercial Construction Consulting & Bear Realty, Burlington; Daluge Travel, Madison; Excalibur Seasonings, Pekin, IL: Frantz Company, Milwaukee; Hartmann Sand & Gravel, Fredonia; Herdeman Corporation, Waukesha; Drs.Larry Mahr, Oregon & Dean Peterson, Janesville; Midwest Perishables, Madison: Poulson Farms, Palmyra: Rupena's Fine Foods, West Allis; LeRoy C. Haeuser & Co. S.C. Rural Insurance, Mequon; Schaefer Grading & Excavating, Franksville; Sportservice at the Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis; and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Madison.

Twenty-two meat processors throughout Wisconsin entered their products in the State Fair Meat Products Contest in five categories. The first, second and third place winners of ham, bacon, summer sausage, cooked bratwurst and meat snack sticks donated their winning products to the auction.

The winning meat processors included: Brandon Meats & Sausage, Inc., Brandon; Haen Meat Packing, Inc., Kaukauna; Hoff's United Foods, Brownsville; Kickapoo Locker Service, Gays Mills; Kountry Pride Farms Sausage & Meat Shop, Omro; Louie's Finer Meats, Cumberland; Maplewood Packing, Inc.; RJ's Meats, Hudson and The Butcher Shop LLC, Fennimore.

In its thirteenth year, the Governor's Sweepstakes Meat Products Auction is the single largest fund-raising event for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. The Foundation provides support to thousands of 4-H youth around the state by funding a variety of projects, leadership events and educational scholarships.

Sponsors of this year's auction include the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Animal Sciences, and the Wisconsin State Fair. The Marshfield Clinic's National Farm Medicine Center and Rupena's Fine Foods of Milwaukee are sponsors of the pre-auction reception.

Other Auction contributors included: After Hours Formal Wear, Milwaukee; Brandon Meats & Sausage, Brandon; Kewaskum Frozen Foods, Kewaskum; Herbert C. Kohl Charities, Milwaukee; Midwest Airlines, Oak Creek; Mille Lacs Gourmet Foods, a division of The Wisconsin Cheeseman, Inc. of Sun Prairie; Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee; Smoky's Club, Madison; Wisconsin Agricultural & Life Sciences Alumni Association, Madison; and Woodman's Food Market, Madison.

For more information on the 2004 Governor's Sweepstakes Meat Products Auction, contact Pat Harrington at (608) 262-1285.