Oneida County is known for many things, but two that stand out are its community generosity and its long agricultural tradition.  Those two things came together on Monday as the local FFA held an auction fundraiser to support its various programs, such as travel, Career Development, and classroom learning.  The auction, which was fueled by contributions from dozens of local and regional donors, as well as material made by FFA members itself brought in over two hundred bidders, well-wishers, and supporters.  The event brought in several thousand dollars.

The event was held at the Oneida County Event Center from 6:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m., with a dinner of sloppy joes served by the FFA members themselves.  The members were also on hand to walk the items through the crowd during the bidding.  Auctioneer Roger Stockwell noted that he was happy to see so many people there ready to bid.  FFA Advisor Lexie Evans stated "our chapter is growing and I'm excited to see the wonderful things in store for Malad FFA!"

After a prayer by Tucker Venable, the auction commenced in earnest, with a number of items inspiring competitive bidding.  Among the most popular items were Jazz tickets, a custom designable wooden sign board, quilts, an antique watch from the Lyons, a Cherry Peak family ski pass, a Sawtelle resort stay, a number of toolboxes and toolsets, a peddle tractor, and literally dozens of other items from local merchants, donors, and supporters of the FFA.  A silent auction was also held on additional items for those not interested in live bidding.    

Several of the items were crafted by members of the FFA organization itself, including several boot racks, a coffee table, a “self-filling” fire pit, and a completely unique picnic table surrounded by suspended swings.  

Friendly but competitive bidding took place over the evening, with several of the big ticket items going for over a thousand dollars.  Everything that was put up for auction sold, making the event a great showcase for the community’s support of such an important program.  In addition to the auction, the event also raised money directly from individuals and businesses who were given the chance at the close of the auction to pledge direct donations to the club.

Among the donors and sponsors were Sandy Evans, Thomas Electric, the Malad Drive-In, Ward Feed and Seed, Nucor, Bryan and Terri Lyons, Valley Implements, Oneida Family Dental, The Gym, Daisy Hollow, Ganache, Central Service, Regan Brubidge, James and Jackie Sorensen, the Plant Peddler, John’s Towing, Kanine Korner, Sue Evans, Wittman Farms, Bomgaars, Henderson Hogs, Cherry Peak, Defend Lawn and Pest Service, La Grande AquaPlunge, Bamma Wamma’s, MDS Garden, IFA, Black Swan Inn, Burbidge Custom Timbers, Josie Alder, Davis Sod, Bryan and Savanah Martin, Dan and Cindy Coleman, Potter Ranches, Skin Haven, KJ’s, the Idaho Enterprise, Twisted Sage, Heston Jenkins, Blooming Wild Design, Valleywide Cooperative, Norco, Sawtelle Mountain, Penny Jacobsen, and a number of others who may have been missed in this list.