A total of 46 teams competed in this year’s Meat Animal Sale Trivia Night March 24, 2018, to raise money toward completing the pen upgrade started last summer in the 4-H and FFA pig barn at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

The event was held at Dodgeland High School, Juneau, and featured 50 silent-auction items; more than 130 bucket-raffle items; a 50/50 raffle won by Crystal Soldner, Lowell; and of course, 10 rounds of trivia. Trivia topics included “name that song,” “name that movie,” pop culture, children’s Disney trivia, sports logos, and much more.

The winning trivia team was comprised of eight individuals: Tom Kohn, Lorraine Kohn, Vicki Marshall, Dewayne Marshall, Ryan Marshall, Katie Marshall, Lisa Eckhardt, and Mason Eckhardt. Second place was the team from Mayville FFA Alumni: Jake Cramer, Mary Feucht, Dave Westphal, Greg Clark, Pam Wellso, Glen Wellso, Tim Clark, and Maria Metke. Finally, third place included Bo Becker, Kyle Becker, Colleen Becker, Zack Conner, Kathy Fries, Todd Fries, Sandy Ellingson, and Glenn Ellingson. A random-winning team was also chosen, and those members were Sherri Hesse, Jean Borchardt, Kevin Horack, Deb Horack, Marge Benz, Don Koehler, Darlene Hesse, and Tim Hesse.

Officials for the 2018 trivia contest were Heidi Tunak, Ashipen; Mary Martin, Slinger; Louis Strupp, Watertown; Larry and Noreen Dogs, Theresa; Beth Wollin, Lebenan; and John and Christine Siedschlag, Watertown.

Andy Boschert, Beaver Dam, a youth in the meat-animal project who exhibits pigs at the Dodge County Fair, was co-chair of the fundraiser, again, this year, for the second year in a row. “We’re hoping to finish the rest of the pig barn this year, so everyone who shows pigs at the fair has a new pen,” noted Boschert. “Patience is key when trying to achieve a goal, and the support of this community and surrounding communities has really allowed us to make good progress and hopefully finish the barn.”

“We started our fundraising on Sept. 1, 2017, by selling the old swine pens, and through trivia nights, t-shirt sales, and pen sponsorships we’ve raised $23,600,” noted Eric Salmi, fundraiser adult co-chair. More money is still needed. Donations for the renovation project will be accepted until June 1, 2018; families and clubs can donate money to cover the price of one pen or part of a pen; the cost of one complete pen is $450. “We will have a plaque with your club or family name on it in the swine barn starting in 2018, and we can name a pen in someone’s honor, too” commented Salmi. “In addition, our committee is selling short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts to help raise money. There’s a pig on the front of the shirt, and the back says, ‘I supported swine lock up 2017-2018.’ ” All shirts are gray with black lettering. The cost of each t-shirt is $15 for sizes youth through XL. If you need a 2XL or larger, the cost is $17. The long-sleeve shirts are selling for $20 (all sizes).

Contact Salmi at [email protected] for more information or to make a donation.

Written by Dori Lichty — farm wife, 4-H Mom, and full-time communicator