Hay show rakes in more than $30K for ag program

Posted 9/19/19

The 53rd annual Mineola Hay Show raised more than $30,000 for the Mineola High School ag program Tuesday, Sept. 10.

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Hay show rakes in more than $30K for ag program

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The 53rd annual Mineola Hay Show raised more than $30,000 for the Mineola High School ag program Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The winning hay bale of David Miller sold for $3,100 to Mineola Packing as 35 lots were auctioned, including the top 30 placing hay samples.

This year’s show generated more than 90 hay entries, well up from 57 the year before.

Second place went to Sam Hollingsworth, and his hay sold for $2,000 to Big Country Farm Center.

The third place hay of Greg Walker with W6 Farms sold for $2,100 to Mineola Community Bank.

In addition to the 30 lots of hay, five other lots were sold.

Those included a trailer built by Mineola ag students which went to Mineola Community Bank for $1,700.

A donated show pig, along with $100 of feed from Big Country and free processing from Mineola Packing went for $1,200 to City National Bank.

The pig is being donated to the ag department for a student to show.

In spirited bidding late in the auction, a grill built by the students along with 20 choice steaks and a pair of outdoor chairs was sold for $1,675 to Heritage Land Bank.

This year’s scholarship recipients were honored. The show paid out $25,000 in scholarships this year, and for the past several years more than $250,000 in scholarships have been awarded thanks to the show. 

It also benefits the ag program through the purchase of needed equipment.

The recipients include Jackson VanDover, who is attending Stephen F. Austin; Lin Dong, UT-Dallas; Emily Jones, Tyler Junior College; Emily Andrews, TJC; Sydney Johnson, Texas A&M; McKensie Shaft, TJC; Armando Veloz, University of North Texas; Preston Mother, Texas State Technical; and Jake Haggerton, Mississippi State.

Emcee Jackie Rodieck said as far as they know this is the longest running hay show in the state, which began in 1967.

In addition to helping the ag program, it began as – and continues to serve as – a tool for hay producers, whose samples are tested and judged.

Auctioneer Kelly Conley, who has been doing the show for many years, said this is something you can give your money to and see the results.

He coaxed bids totaling $28,900, and additional donations brought the total to $30,150.

The show was held in memory of Jim Dozier, longtime show supporter and participant, who passed away in August.

Guest speaker Charles Petty entertained with stories about the quirkiness of families, but also stressed the importance of loving one another. He said educators and ministers have the two most important jobs in the country, molding the minds and morals of the youth. Without that, the country is lost, he said.