Buyers Group to benefit local youth
Grimes County youth have benefited from the exhibition of livestock for the past 66 years. A newly formed group, the Grimes County Buyers Group (GCBG), was formed to ensure youth continue to reap the benefits of their hard work.
According to a study conducted by Texas Tech University, exhibiting animals promotes social relationships, builds character, family togetherness and values, exposure to competition, exposure to cultures and knowledge and care for animals.
The GCBG aims to reward students for their hard work and keep sale prices at a level which will enable students to make a profit for future livestock projects or college savings. The sales committee affords an opportunity to buyers who may not be able to attend the auction but still want to support Grimes County youth.
The group will allow local businesses and residents to participate in the purchase of animals by donating $100 or more to become a member or sponsor for the year. There are four other membership or sponsorship levels, silver ($300), bronze ($500) gold ($800) and platinum ($1,000 and more).
For every $100 spent, sponsors will receive one chance in the buyers’ drawing with a maximum of 10 chances. After animals such as cattle, hogs, lambs, goats, rabbits, turkeys and broilers have been purchased, a drawing will be held among the buyers group members for the animals. Sponsor names will be placed on a banner and publicly thanked in The Examiner and receive a GCBG cap.
All animals purchased in the sale by the buyers group will be drawn for immediately after purchase. All resale eligible animals will be sent to K&C Meat Processing for processing.
This will be the first year the GCBG will be buying fair projects. The group said with the support of members and sponsors they will make every effort to purchase animals in the auction, including those from students who didn’t make the fair sale, and help as many Grimes County youth as possible.
Many leaders in the community have participated in 4-H and National FFA Organization, learning firsthand the value of those programs. The GCBG stated the “community must remain committed to maintaining these programs to ensure continued success in training productive citizens for the future.”
Board members for GCBG include President Clif Buchanan, Vice President Bryan Cooper, Secretary Trina Woods, Treasurer Sinda Phelps, and regular board members Jana Buchanan, Dana Wagner, Karrie Cooper, Ricky Schroeder, Jim Shurtleff, Terry Shurtleff, Michelle Belinowski and April Bay.
This 2019 Grimes County Fair will be held May 31 through June 8. Memberships for the newly-formed Grimes County Buyers Group must be received by Wednesday, May 1. Anyone wanting to become a member or sponsor or seeking additional information is urged to contact Jana Buchanan at 936-870-6797, Trina Woods 281-682-3638 or Sinda Phelps 409-370-1240.