Although the Mineola Hay Show was unable to hold its annual event due to COVID-19 restrictions, the virtual show still managed to raise almost $28,000 thanks to generous donors.

The actual show was a 23-minute event broadcast on social media last Tuesday that highlighted the six Mineola High School 2020 graduates who earned scholarships and the top hay producers.

The show usually includes a dinner, hay auction and guest speaker.

This is the show’s 54th year, and it is the longest running show in the state.

The proceeds go to assist the Mineola FFA program, as well as awarding scholarships to ag students.

Some 84 hay samples were judged for physical characteristics and chemical composition and then scored.

Jody Holmes produced the winning hay entry. An anonymous $5,000 donor was the top hay buyer.

W6 Farms, Greg Walker, produced the second place entry. Donor was Mineola Community Bank for $2,500.

Third place hay was entered by Tom West. Donor was Big Country Farm Center for $2,500.

The 2020 scholarship winners were Claudia Barriga, UT Tyler, $2,000; Makayla Mitchell, Tyler Junior College, $2,000; Riley Johnson, Texas Tech, $1,500; Brianna Bethel, Texas Bible College, $1,500; Marco Rubio, Tulsa Welding School, $1,000; and Krysten Griffith, Texas A&M-Commerce, $1,000.

In addition to the top three donors, platinum level donors ($1,000 and up) are Wood County Electric, First National Bank of East Texas (formerly Wood County National), Cody Mize, James “Buddy” Huff, City National Bank and United Ag and Turf.

Gold level donors ($501-$999) include Texas Heritage National Bank, Wood County Farm Bureau and Dale and Jo Griffith.

Silver level donors ($500) include Benham, Jeff Smith, Greg Walker, Jason Ray, Potts Feed Store, Young Oil, People’s Telephone, Valley Feed Mill and Mary and Frank Lookadoo.

Bronze donors (under $500) include Dick Melvin, Archie Mapes, Ronald Mapes, Jim and Lynette Buchanan, Crenshaw CarWash, Leon Anderson, Bob and Freda Madsen, Ed and Francie Baker, Kelly Drug, BTH Bank, John Mays, Emory Livestock, Young Chevron, Ken and Mitzi Pearce, Brookshire’s, Bruner Insurance, Al and Pat Harris, Rail 19, Bobby Madsen, Mike Griffith and Wood County Monitor.

The remaining 40 hay samples sold include (reverse order of placing) Ed and Francie Baker, Jeremy Elliott, Richard Varnell, Trina Tunnell, Nikki Otto, Lori Choate, 4 Mason Cattle, Sharon Berry, Ed Tunnell, Tuf Arney, Glen Jackson, Orval Lindsey, Jared Rumbo, Mark Hicks, Ame Elliott, Wanda Varnell, S&K Cattle, Jeanette Ratcliff, Tommy Paben, Jimmie Smith, Michael Overstreet, Kay Withrow, Mildren Mason, E.W. Bruner, Damon Young, Vern Fernholtz, Martha Holmes, Sammy Young, David Rains, Rusty Goforth, John Mays, Anthony Bruner, Rebecca Baca, Shane Gylling, Old Airport Ranch, Brandon Bell, Archie Mapes, Ricky LaPrade and David Miller (Miller Farm).

Former Mineola ag students and scholarship recipients Paulette Aguilar, Cody Mize and Brant Lee told of the value of their agriculture experiences at Mineola High School.