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 "We didn't do it to get publicity; we don't need a lot of praise
for our efforts; we did it for the kids," said David Rawlings of
Miller & Rawlings Angus Farms and Rawlings Trailer Sales. The lack of premiums this year is just one more example of how the
state's dire financial situation is affecting our local community.
Historically, there has been funding from the state paid to the
University of Illinois Extension Services for these premiums. The premiums go to ribbon winners at 4-H exhibits across the state.
In many counties throughout Illinois, there have been no premiums
paid at all, and it has not appeared to make much of a difference in
participation.
 The fact is that in most cases the premium would amount to only a
small portion of the money and value of time invested in a project,
but it is still cash in hand for the kids. To Rawlings, that was enough to make conducting a fund drive worthwhile. He said that he felt the kids deserved to have some monetary
compensation as a reward for their efforts, and he didn't want the
state's budget crunch to deprive them of that reward. So, he made a few phone calls, letting folks know what was going on
and asking them if they were willing to help, and the kids will be
rewarded for his efforts.
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Rawlings said that he received donations from the John Agee Farms, the Miller
& Rawlings Angus Farms, the White
Family Farm, the Maaks Family, 4-Corners Lube in Lincoln, Culligan Water in
Lincoln, ADM Feeds in Hopedale, and Don Peasley and his sister Krystal
Peasley-Salvator. Rawlings added that he also received some anonymous donations from
area businesses, enforcing the fact that none of the donors did it for
themselves. In the end, the group raised a total of $6,000 for the payment of premiums.
This year, approximately 1,200 exhibits were entered by 4-H members in
Logan County both during and before the fair.
In closing, Rawlings said that he wanted to thank all those who helped out, and
he hopes that if these same situations arise in 2011, there will once again be
someone who is willing to "step up."
[By NILA SMITH]
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