Many of the buyers at this year’s Merced County Fair Junior Livestock Auction were shown appreciation with little “thank you” cards instead of the usual gift item or basket. And these buyers couldn’t be happier to take home less and give back more. Says one buyer: “This year, we received a couple Friends Buyer Recognition cards, and that’s something we truly appreciate because we’d rather see the money go to something our community really needs - a new barn.” Over 100 youth and their families participated in the first year that FOMCF has offered the Buyer Recognition cards. The 2009 proceeds added several thousand dollars directly to the barn-building fund — and gave a big boost in enthusiasm and awareness. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

Rob Weimer, of American Ag Credit, has volunteered to chair the committee charged with raising $2 million to build a 140’ x 340’ clear-span barn and make other improvements to the Merced County Fairgrounds. To date, the newly-formed Barn Raising Capital Campaign committee includes Les McCabe, Melba Miyamoto, Barbara Burroughs, Kevin Schoonhoven, Jim Cunningham, Kim Rogina, Janet Taylor, Jim Anderson, Barbara Matheron, Carol Silva, and Doreen Snyder. View Press Release here.