The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture’s inaugural Agricultural Art Gallery auction netted more than $12,000 for the organization built to support Michigan's farm and food connection through consumer education and outreach.
The gallery showcased arts and crafts projects submitted by Farm Bureau members in six categories: woodworking, metal work, photography, drawing & painting, 3-D art (ceramics, pottery, etc.) and fabric & fiber arts.
The most popular entries in each category were auctioned off at the organization’s 102nd Annual Meeting:
- Woodworking: “Americana in Wood” by Patrick Butler of Calhoun County went home with Jackson County Farm Bureau member Hank Choate for $650.
- Photography: “Rainy Days and Thursdays” from Clinton County’s Laura Braun fetched $550 from Clinton County dairy farmer Stephanie Schafer.
- Metal Work: “Autumn’s Pasture” from the Thompson Family of Eaton County — the overall Best in Show winner — put a whopping $2,900 in the Foundation’s coffers courtesy of Hank Choate. A duplicate pledged by its creators will go to Muskegon County cattleman Wayne Kline for an additional $2,900.
- Drawing & Painting: “Farm Animal Painting” by Andrea Jorgensen of Livingston County was purchased by Wayne County Farm Bureau member Carl Graham for $550.
- 3D Art: “Ice Tong Light” crafted by Mike Lauwers of St. Clair County went home with Bordner Angus Farm for the tidy sum of $475.
- Fabric & Fiber: “Farm Scene Quilt” from Monroe County Donna Setzler fetched $550 from Washtenaw County’s Fusilier Family.
Finally, distinguished guest Phil Knight’s winning bid of $2,500 earned him a wooden tractor fashioned by MFB CEO and executive woodworker Scott Piggott.
The remaining entries went home with the winners of a silent auction, pushing the Gallery’s total proceeds over the $12,100 mark.
A 501c3 formed by Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture has a mission of positively contributing to the future of Michigan agriculture through leadership and educational programming. Strategic partners are being sought to invest in helping Michigan's citizens understand agriculture's importance and the vital role it plays in their daily lives. Key programs, along with additional educational opportunities continually reviewed, foster leadership and outreach to build understanding of agriculture in Michigan.