Twenty-four years ago a wonderful tradition was started at the Iowa State Fair known as The Governor’s Charity Steer Show. Started by then Iowa Governor Terry Branstad along with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association proceeds from the sale of the steers in the show go to the Ronald McDonald Houses located in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. The houses are used by the families of seriously ill children while the children are undergoing long term treatment at the hospitals Beginning in 1995 the funds from one steer is also donated annually to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation which is working to rebuild the fairgrounds. (Photo Andy Petersen, WMT Radio, interviewing Amanda)
Each steer is purchased from a 4-H or FFA student who has raised the steer as a project. The owner cares for the steer until after the show and helps the celebrity in the arena. Over the past 24 years hundreds of Iowa’s youth have been helped with their future educations through this program as well.
This year the Iowa Farm Bureau selected Amanda Eason, Miss Rodeo Iowa, as their celebrity show person. Amanda’s calf, Chopper, was purchased by Iowa Farm Bureau from Kelsey Ford of Milo, Iowa. Her steer was not selected as the Grand Champion by judge Brad Skaar of Iowa State University Animal Science Department but her showmanship along with a terrific attitude won her the “People’s Choice Award”. Amanda, who is a skilled horseman, did a very professional job of leading and displaying her steer in the arena. There were 28 steers in the show and it is quite an honor for the audience to select a person for this award. (Photo - Ronald McDonald, Kelsey Ford (steer owner), Krista Frazee (presented ribbon) and Amanda Eason)
Following the show the cattle were taken to the auction ring for the sale. Amanda’s steer was sold third following the Grand Champion Steer and the Governor’s steer. Chopper was purchased by Iowa Farm Bureau districts 5 and 8 for $4800. The 28 steers sold for a total of $118,125 bringing the total raised over the last 24 years to 1,496,809.
Amanda has done a wonderful job of promoting rodeo in Iowa and this is just one more example of her using her year as Miss Iowa Rodeo to encourage new fans to the sport.
(Photos courtesy Iowa Beef Industry Coucil)
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