News : FFA raises more than $9,000 with labor auction

The annual VS Labor Auction raised more than $9,000 Thursday evening.

Duane Johnson speaks to FFA officer Brent Lange

Freshman Dillon Brummer was the first FFA member on the auction block.

Duane Johnson and Mrs. Louise Fleming spoke to the bidders and students before the bidding began.

Auctioneer Duane Johnson jokes with Colleen Finch; he has called FFA auctions for decades.

FFA members await their turn on the auction block.

For the first time since the Nixon presidency, a Vinton-Shellsburg FFA labor auction took place without Duane Fisher.

Fisher's replacement as VSHS FFA advisor, Louise Fleming, and 23 VS FFA members, participated in the traditional Labor Auction Thursday evening in the high school gym.

"You are not here for a bargain," said auctioneer Duane Johnson to the crowd of approximately 40 bidders. "You are here to support the FFA members."

And the audience did just that, bidding a total of $9,080; the funds will go toward FFA trips, conventions, contests and other activities.

The members will work for 8 hours for the bidders, who included farmers, farm organizations finanancial instutitions and ag-related businesses. While many of the FFA members will do the work on a farm, others will participate in community activities on behalf of their bidder.