By CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
Ohio Correspondent

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio — Andy Hayden’s 4-H pig sold for $34,000 at the recent Scioto County Fair livestock auction; more than 65 people were buyers. Andy himself was killed in an automobile accident about a month before the fair.
“He always had a smile and a friendly handshake for everyone that he met,” said his mom, Susie Hayden. “He wanted to help out in any way he could.”
The family was overwhelmed and really surprised by the sale, she said. “Our county record was $7,800,” she said. “We were very proud that the community thought so much of our son.”

Andy, age 17, and his two brothers, Michael and Jeffrey, were on the way to feed their pigs when the accident happened, said Jo Williams of Ohio State University extension, Scioto County. His brothers were seriously injured.
When Williams arrived at work the next day, people were calling, wanting to know what they could do to help the family. 4-H members volunteered to help with Michael’s and Jeffrey’s pigs (other 4-Hers showed the two brothers’ pigs at the fair, as they were not sufficiently recovered from their injuries).
“They were concerned with the medical and other expenses that were accumulating,” Williams said, “We had several people ask, if the family was interested, if they could bring Andy’s pig to the fair and auction it off to raise money. The senior fair board said that was fine.”

Even before the auction 4-H kids, local feed stores and others had already donated $10,000. Andy’s pig was the last animal to sell. Instead of the bidders bidding against one another, they just kept adding to the sum.

“The auctioneer really did a good job of convincing people to give more money,” Williams said. “It was pretty amazing. People were on their feet, clapping and cheering.”

Kids in the 4-H program have an option of donating part of their check to the 4-H endowment program, Williams said. This year, while some kids donated to the endowment, many asked if they could donate to the memorial fund for Andy. The auctioneer stopped the sale and the kids’ donations were added up; they came to $2,770.

“I thought that was pretty telling of how kids in the program stick together and take care of each other,” Williams said. “It was pretty emotional and pretty touching. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.”

“All told, about 65 to 70 businesses, plus kids and individuals, contributed,” Williams said. “We’re fortunate that we’ve got the strong support of our community and our commissioners and all of the kids and families involved in the program.”

Scioto County has beef, sheep and goat herdsman awards but there is none for the swine project. Andy’s mother would like to use some of the funds to establish a swine herdsman award as a memorial to him.

“I know this is something he would be very proud to be involved in,” Hayden said. “He always wanted to do a Showman of Showmen class. He always enjoyed showmanship – he got fourth place in Senior Showmanship last year.
“I think in the next few years he would have gotten to show in Showman of Showmen. He just didn’t get there.”

Carl, Andy’s father, added, “We want everybody to know how grateful we are and how proud we are of our son and the community.”