Despite cancellation of 2020 Minnesota State Fair, one popular tradition continues
ST. PAUL — The cancellation of the 2020 Minnesota State Fair and most County Fairs in Minnesota has greatly affected 4-H livestock project members this year. However, one popular tradition that will continue is the awarding of the 4-H Auction Scholarships in 2020. The scholarships are sponsored by the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association (MLBA), in conjunction with Minnesota 4-H and the State 4-H Auction Committee. Since it’s inception in 1995, the 4-H Auction scholarship program has awarded approximately $525,000 in scholarships to 390 outstanding 4-H members.
In 2019, a total of $65,000 was awarded to 43 outstanding 4-H junior leaders that are enrolled in various 4-H animal science projects. The MLBA 4-H Auction Committee hopes to meet or exceed that level of 4-H Auction scholarships in 2020. Any current Minnesota 4-H member that is enrolled in one or more 4-H animal science projects and graduated from high school in either 2019 or 2020 is eligible to apply. In addition, applicants must be enrolled at an accredited college or university for the 2020-21 school year and be furthering their education working toward a post-secondary degree.
The deadline for eligible 4-H members to apply for the 4-H Auction scholarships is August 1, 2020. The application form contains all necessary details to apply for the scholarships. The application can be downloaded from the MLBA 4-H Auction website at: www.mnpurpleribbonauction.org.
To make the 4-H Auction scholarships happen, the 4-H Auction Committee relies on scholarship donors. There are three levels of scholarships …… $4,000, $2,000 and $1,000. Scholarship donors are asked to pledge half of one of those amounts to have their business or individual name recognized as a scholarship donor for the full amount of the scholarship. The balance of the matching dollars for the 4-H Auction scholarships normally are derived from funds generated by the Minnesota State Fair 4-H Auction. However, with the 2020 Auction being cancelled, the matching funds for 2020 have generously been donated by Ames Construction of Burnsville, MN, a long-time major supporter of the 4-H Auction.
More information on the 4-H Auction scholarship donations is available on the MLBA 4-H Auction website referenced earlier. Questions on 4-H Auction scholarship sponsorships or applications can be directed to Steve Pooch, Secretary of the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Assn. at 651-323-4210 or Kent Thiesse, Finance Chair of the MLBA Purple Ribbon Auction at 507-381-7960.
2020 4-H Auction Scholarship Donors (as of 7-10-20):
- Ames Construction
- Cargill Animal Nutrition
- CorTrust Bank
- Don McClure and the Sky Ride
- O’Sullivan Auctioneers/O’Sullivan Cattle Inc.
- Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota
- Cambridge Technologies
- Topigs Norsvin USA
- Pipestone Grain Co.
- Altenberg Construction
- Hog Slat
- Corn Roast-Brad & Lori Ribar
- Mouth Trap Cheese Curds
- Federated Co-ops
- Midwest Machinery
- Protein Sources Milling
- Minnesota Farmers Union
- Riverview LLP
- Minnesota Pork Board
- LA-CO Industries
- Michael Dove and Gary Koch
- Minnesota Simmental Assn.
- Jamie & Mark Purfeerst
- Jake and Lindsay Grass
- Weichman Pig
- Anderson Seeds
- Hormel Foods
- Bellingham Farmers Elevator
- Kent Thiesse & Steve Pooch
- Commodity & Ingredient Hedging
- Jim Nesseth & Steve Resler
- Minnesota Corn Growers Assn.
- Davis Family Dairies
- Juanita Reed Boniface/Dick Boniface and Mary Bennett Kriva
- Minnesota Cattlewomen
- Blake & Sheryl Meshke
- Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar
- Schroder Concessions
- Jeff & Diane Hawkins
- MN Youth Livestock Expo
Last modified: 07/14/2020
