Across the region, the annual Future Farmers of America Ham, Bacon, and Egg auctions serve as a showcase for the hard work of young farmers and a means to fund their future aspirations. The auctions feature the results of high school livestock projects: the top hams, sides of bacon, and dozens of eggs produced by students. Monies earned from the auction are frequently used by FFA students to help pay for college. Which is why the president of WVU Potomac State College, Dr. Jerry Wallace, had a bidder's number at several of these local fundraisers.
PSC President, Dr. Jerry Wallace, chats with Frankfort High School and Mineral County Technical School senior, Mylee Evans. Evans plans to attend Potomac State College this fall.
Would you ever be willing to spend $150 for a dozen eggs? What about $250 for an uncut slab of bacon? How about $1,450 for an award-winning cured ham?
Before you answer, consider this next question. What if all the money collected went to a local student to further his education or help her afford continuing expenses in the area of agriculture?
That is exactly the idea behind the heavily attended and wildly popular Bacon Egg and Ham Auction, held Mar. 12 at Keyser Fire House Number Three.
The event is the annual fundraiser for Future Farmers of America members who attend Mineral County Technical School.
Mineral County FFA President, Ike Jones, talks to other members of the local organization during the annual Ham, Bacon and Eggs Auction at Keyser Fire Station Number Three.
The president of that student organization this year is Ike Jones, a senior whose home school is Keyser High School.
“I have been in farming and agriculture my whole life,” Jones said. “And if you think about it, the whole world revolves around agriculture. We couldn’t survive without agriculture and farms. We wouldn’t be able to eat without agriculture and farms.”
Jones said beginning last September, FFA students selected their choice animal. They are then taught in high school agricultural classes how to process, cure, and cut the finished product. Every early March, those items are then sold at this auction.
“Throughout the school year, we learn about the process,” he said. “Students choose their meats and process and cure their meats. And then we learn how to properly store it. Everything we learn comes to this time in March when we bring it to this auction.”
A successful bidder is able to “give back” the item purchased. The FFA students are permitted to still keep the money. At the end of the auction, any unclaimed goods are sold to those in attendance wishing to buy the products at a much reduced rate. Typically, a student will use the money raised to purchase supplies for the following year in order to participate again. If the student is graduating in May, the individual funds raised can be used for a variety of reasons to be determined by each FAA club member.
After a successful bid, Potomac State College President, Jerry Wallace talks with sister Lucy Pancake and Leah Pancake. A senior graduating from the Mineral County Technical School in May with Keyser High as her home school, Leah Pancake plans to attend PSC this fall.
One of the largest single representatives of a local agricultural family was the Pancake family. With more than 40 first cousins and 11 aunts and uncles, Leah Pancake said she plans to use the earnings from five items she saw auctioned for college.
“I personally plan on putting what I earned tonight into a savings account for college,” she said.
Pancake said she plans to attend Potomac State College this fall. That revelation was like ringing a dinner bell for PSC president, Dr. Jerry Wallace.
Trading his usual trademark bowtie for a cowboy hat and flannel, Wallace - a vegetarian - successfully bid on several ham, bacon, and egg items. He was, however, strategic about his purchases. He said he talks to the students before the auction, and his bids tend to favor students with plans to attend PSC.
“Putting that money back into the community and back into the hands of a PSC student or potential PSC student is important,” he said. “It’s almost like they received a small scholarship and then that money indirectly comes back to PSC.”
Wallace said he did not intend to keep the items he purchased. He said for him the event is about investing in future and potential Catamounts.
He was certainly not alone in his moral and financial support of the event. One prized and champion ham was purchased by a local bank for $1,500. A full slab of bacon went to a local restaurant for $300.
“Look around the room at the people who are here,” said Wallace. “It is every business in the community. Every business in town sends someone to bid on an item and support these students. It’s incredible, isn’t it? It’s about giving back to the community. This was my second time, and it gets more impressive each time.”
Smith said the local FFA chapter is appreciative.
“The community and the public have always been great about supporting our hard work. And we are all very grateful,” he said.
To watch video highlights from the auction, click here:
https://youtu.be/7Ncqj4koXsM
March is designated as National Agriculture Month in the United States, dedicated to recognizing the vital role farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses play in producing food, fiber, fuel, and their agricultural contributions to the economy and daily life. In its 125th anniversary year, WVU Potomac State College celebrates its rich history of educating leaders in the agriculture industry.