Jim Rieff, auctioneer and friend of 4-H, plied his skills at the recent 4-H Pullet Show held at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The 125 individuals attending easily noted his personal interest to ensure the 39 4-H member participants received the maximum financial incentive for their project efforts.

As the audience chuckled, Jim badgered, teased and twisted a few arms in an effort to get top dollar for each pullet. Premium buyers played along to force every trick that Jim had up his sleeve. In the end, 29 premium sponsors, plus resale buyers and add-on donations netted $8,200 for 4-H members.

The Grand Champion Pullets shown by Tyler Hamilton, of the Cannonball 4-H Club in Pea Ridge, were purchased by Farmer’s Mutual Insurance of Gentry. The Reserve Champion Pullets shown by Joshua Lockhart, of the Town & Country 4-H Club in Bentonville, were purchased by Arvest Bank of Gravette.

Third prize pullets shown by Jessica Poe, of the Gravette Gleamers 4-H Club, were purchased by Adams Cattle Company of Southwest City, Mo.

In addition to providing live broadcast of the 4-H Pullet Show and auction, KURM Radio, represented by Kermit Womack, provided $200 of premium to the 4-H members showing the top three pens.

Other premium buyers listed alphabetically were: Debbie Alsup, Gravette;

Bank of Gravett; Benton County Farm Bureau;

Centerton Livestock Auction; Columbus Feed Supply, Columbus, Mo.; Dan Douglas, Bentonville; Farm Bureau Insurance of Benton County; Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas;

First Community Bank, Jane, Mo.; Gravette Kiwanis Club; Bob Kelley Shelter Insurance, Gravette; C.H. and Helen Lacy, Siloam Springs; Dr. Kent Leonard, Gravette; Ken and Charla Myers, Siloam Springs; NW Arkansas Feed, Gravette;

Prairie Creek VeterinaryHospital, Rogers; Bill Romine, Southwest City, Mo.; Cindy Romines, Centerton;

ServPro of Benton and Carroll County, Hiwasse; Triple F Farms, Gravette; Tri-State Propane, Hiwasse; True Treasures, Bentonville; Jay Williams/Williams Law Firm, Gentry; and Dan Yates/Attorney at Law, Gravette.

The 4-H Pullet project conducted each year provides a safe and meaningful method of introducing youth to the science of animal management, nutrition and recommended production practices on a small-scale.

4-H is the official youth program of the Universityof Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Programs are offered to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any legally protected status.

For information, call 271-1060.

Community, Pages 6 on 09/21/2011