Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — Reflecting a trend over the last 14 years, buyers once again supported exhibitors at the 2008 Knox County Fair through their participation on sale day. This year’s sale brought in $384,129.20, $7,533.56 more than 2007.

Of the last 14 years, the sale total increased in all but three years. Between 1995 and 2008, the highest total was $403,249.45 in 2006, closely followed by $403,245.41 in 2005. The leanest year was 1996, in which $196,731.10 was paid for 403 animals.

In 2008, 541 animals were sold, compared to 547 in 2007. Numbers for 2005-06 are 546 and 570, respectively.

Many individuals, businesses and service organizations have participated in the sale over the years. Bill Piar of Piar Farms participated as a first-time buyer in 2008, buying the reserve grand champion dairy market feeder of Kyle Carpenter. Carpenter’s 526-pound feeder went for $5 a pound.

“I had known the Carpenters before I decided to reward them and their group for all of their hard work,” said Piar. “Agriculture has been good to me — I’m a farmer, and my whole family has farmed.

“I hire some younger people to help me out occasionally, and I just felt that the ones who have a good work ethic should be rewarded.”

Piar said he had come to that mindset a year ago, and knowing the Carpenters led him to decide to participate in the fair. He plans to be a buyer again next year as well.

“I have a lot of respect for the kinds in 4-H,” he said. “As I said agriculture’s been good to me and my family, and I think that some of these kids need to be rewarded.”

On the other end of buyers is Tom Boyd, Fredericktown, co-founder of B&B Farm Service Inc. B&B Farm Service has been serving the agricultural needs of the area for 57 years, and has participated in sale day for a number of those years. In recognition of his support, Boyd was inducted into the Knox County Junior Livestock Sale Committee Hall of Fame during this year’s fair.