The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair celebrated its 30th year by raising more than $106,000. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, which supports Wisconsin 4-H activities including 4-H conferences, teaching materials and workshops, and overall development of 4-H youth.
“Enthusiastic 4-H supporters made for an exciting evening,” said Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Executive Director Brenda Scheider. “Seeing our 4-H youth and adult volunteers working next to our generous donors really brings home what 4-H is all about.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Randy Romanski, DATCP Secretary, kicked off the sale by encouraging the standing-room-only audience to bid high and bid often. Mistress of Ceremonies Pam Jahnke, radio and TV personality, introduced outstanding 4-H members and special guests before Hostess Nicole Barlass, Sheboygan Falls, and Auctioneer Bob Johnson, Milton, sold 28 Champion, Reserve Champion and Honorable Mention meat products.
Wisconsin State Fair Chairman of the Board John Yingling presented the 2022 Dennis Buege Best of Show Award to meat processor Eden Meat Market of Eden. Eden Meat earned the honor for its champion entry in the snack sausage division. It sold to a consortium of Crave Brothers Cheese, Harry Hansen Meat Service, Gibbsville Implement, Wisconsin River Meats and Egg Innovations for $5,000.
A three-foot, Wisconsin-shaped summer sausage created by Kewaskum Foods of Kewaskum was purchased by Kewaskum Foods for $3,200 who then donated the sausage back and it was resold for $3,000 to Hartmann Sand and Gravel. Guest Auctioneer selling this specialty item was Ozaukee County 4-H member Maria Lee, who learned to call through a county 4-H program.
Meijer broke two records when they purchased the champion summer sausage created by Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market of Lodi for $4,250 (former record was $3,600 set in 2018) and the champion beef jerky created by Eden Meat Market of Eden for $4,600 (former record was $4,500 set in 2018). The highest selling item was the first item sold – the champion bacon created by Louie’s Finer Meats of Cumberland that sold for $5,500 to Willow Road Self Storage of Lake Geneva.
The auction is produced in partnership with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Wisconsin State Fair and the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP).
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, based in Madison, WI, provides essential funding for 4-H programs throughout Wisconsin. By partnering with individuals, corporations and foundations, the Foundation supports more than 150,000 youth who take part in various 4-H leadership, developments, and community-building activities throughout the state. Learn more about the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation by visiting www.Wis4HFoundation.org.
The Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and Honorable Mention winners and their buyers for each of the categories are:
BACON
Grand Champion (Lot 1.1): Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Willow Road Self Storage, Lake Geneva, for $5,500
Reserve Champion (Lot 1.2): Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market, Lodi
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps, Oconomowoc, for $2,000
Honorable Mention (Lot 1.3) : Karl’s Country Market, Menomonee Falls
Buyer: Crave Brothers/Charlie Crave, Waterloo, for $1,700
RING BOLOGNA
Grand Champion (Lot 2.1): Eden Meat Market, Eden
Buyer: Gibbsville Implement, Waldo, for $3,500
Reserve Champion (Lot 2.2): Geiss Meat Service, Merrill
Buyer: Egg Innovations/John & Cathy Brunnquell, Port Washington, for $1,750
Honorable Mention (Lot 2.3): Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market, Lodi
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps, Oconomowoc, for $1,800
SPECIALTY CURED MEAT PRODUCT
Grand Champion (Lot 3.1): Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Bill Thompson, Lake Geneva, for $4,000
Reserve Champion (Lot 3.2): Geiss Meat Service, Merrill
Buyer: Randy Schopen Memorial Foundation, Tomahawk for $1,400
Honorable Mention (Lot 3.3): Eden Meat Market, Eden
Buyer: Daluge Travel/Rick & Peggy Daluge, Madison, for $1,100
SUMMER SAUSAGE
Grand Champion (Lot 4.1): Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market, Lodi
Buyer: Meijer for $4,250, A new record! (old record $3,600), and generously donated back for resale
Resale: Crave Brothers/Charlie Crave, Waterloo, for $2,000
Reserve Champion (Lot 4.2): Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Daluge Travel/Rick & Peggy Daluge, Madison, for $1,400
Honorable Mention (Lot 4.3): Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Hull Farm of Lake Geneva/Jones Family Farm, for $2,300
RECONSTRUCTED JERKY
Grand Champion (Lot 5.1): Eden Meat Market, Eden
Buyer: Meijer for $4,600, A new record! (old record $4,500), and generously donated back for resale
Resale: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps, Oconomowoc, for $1,200
Reserve Champion (Lot 5.2): Harry Hansen Meat Service, LLC, Union Grove
Buyer: Hull Farm of Lake Geneva/Jones Family Farm, for $1,700
Honorable Mention (lot 5.3): Lodi Sausage Company and Meat Market, Lodi
Buyer: Schaefer Grading, Franksville, for $1,400
DRIED or SMOKED BEEF
Grand Champion (Lot 6.1): Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyers: Major Goolsby’s and Ultimate Confections for $1,600
Reserve Champion (Lot 6.2): Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyers: Merwin Farms, Lake Geneva and MaryBeth Carr, West Bend, for $3,000
Honorable Mention (Lot 6.3): Geiss Meat Service, Merrill
Buyer: Sunnyside Hatchery, Beaver Dam, for $1,450
BONE-IN HAM
Grand Champion (Lot 7.1): Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps, Oconomowoc, for $2,000, and generously donated back for resale
Resale: Rural Mutual Insurance, for $2,500
Reserve Champion (Lot 7.2): Bunzel’s Meat Market & Catering, Milwaukee
Buyers: Major Goolsby’s and Ultimate Confections for $3,000
Honorable Mention (Lot 7.3): Harry Hansen Meat Service, LLC, Union Grove
Buyer: Hull Farm of Lake Geneva/Jones Family Farm, for $1,400
BRATWURST
Grand Champion (Lot 8.1): Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Merwin Farms, Lake Geneva, for $3,600
Reserve Champion (Lot 8.2): Geiss Meat Service, Merrill
Buyer: Meijer for $2,500, and generously donated back for resale
Resale: Frenz Garden Center, Thiensville, for $1,400
Honorable Mention (Lot 8.3): Louie’s Finer Meats, Cumberland
Buyer: Daluge Travel/Rick & Peggy Daluge, Madison, for $1,400
SNACK SAUSAGE
Grand Champion (Lot 9.1): Eden Meat Market, Eden
Buyer: Egg Innovations/John & Cathy Brunnquell, Port Washington, for $2,000
Reserve Champion (Lot 9.2): Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Buyer: Hull Farm of Lake Geneva/Jones Family Farm, for $2,700
Honorable Mention (Lot 9.3): Wisconsin River Meats, Mauston
Buyer: Rural Mutual Insurance, for $2,000
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