News : FFA Labor Auction tradition continues; chapter raises $10,800

Duane Johnson prepares to begin the bidding for FFA member Isaac Wiley.

Kayla Schneider gestures that she is willing to learn new jobs during the FFA Labor Auction.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA continued its half-century of working with local farmers, businesses and service organizations via the Labor Auction.

A total of 34 FFA members took their turn standing at the auction block, as long-time caller Duane Johnson took bids.

Familiar with many of the farm families represented in the room, Johnson shared stories with the students about family members he has remembered throughout the years.

Seeing the full name of the student known to most as "Wes," Johnson tells George Wes Haefner that he remembers his late grandfather. After sharing a couple humorous anecdotes, Johnson praises the late George and tells his grandson: "You fill those boots, and you've done something."

A few minutes later, as Jakob Long stood on the auction block, Johnson tells another story, about working with Long's ancestors baling hay, and how the man they were working for left the job early to go home and cook supper on his wood stove.

Nobody knows exactly what year Johnson became the caller, not even Johnson himself. The best guess narrows it down to sometime between 1975 and 1979.

Many of the bidders in the audience were once FFA members who stood beside Johnson on the black blocks which are also used for honoring the winners of wrestling tournaments. One of those bidders on Thursday was Ben Olson, who was buying on behalf of the Benton County Cattlemen. A few years ago, Ben was one of three Olson siblings who took a turn on the auction block, like his father, John, a generation earlier.

Thursday's auction raised $10,000, an average of nearly $230 per participant. The students will work for farmers, or participate in community events for the organizations who paid for their services. The labor auction is one of the two main fund-raisers for the FFA each school year; the other is the fall fruit sale.

See an earlier story about Johnson's long years of calling the FFA labor auction HERE.

See more photos HERE.