SULLIVAN, Ind. – On April 22, Jeff Boston Auction Service hosted the 2025 FFA Alumni donation auction, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Sullivan FFA chapter. The event was supported by area agricultural businesses that donated seed, feed, and a variety of other farm-related items. In total, 27 lots were offered through an online auction platform, HiBid, which waived buyer’s fees to encourage participation.

Funds raised would help provide scholarships and support student attendance at key events, including the Indiana FFA Convention, the National FFA Convention, the Washington Leadership Conference, and the Summer Midwest Ag Tour. These opportunities play a vital role in the development and leadership training of local FFA members.

Seed topped the auction’s offerings, with 12 lots up for grabs. Nine were seed corn, while the other three featured soybean seed. The highest went for eight bags of Pioneer P1170AM seed corn donated by Craig Williams, which sold for $1,170 ($146.25/bag). Close behind was a lot of eight bags of Beck’s seed corn of the buyer’s choice, provided by Jeremiah Faulk, of Tri-County Ag Solutions, which hit $1,090 ($136.25/ bag). An interesting lot with four bags of Augusta A4961 DEZ seed corn, plus a buy one/get one free coupon for a future purchase, reached $90 (22.50/bag).

Soybean seed included a lot of 20 bags of Syngenta seed, supplied by Travis McKinney, brought in $1,010 ($50.50 per bag). Bidding reached $730 ($60.83 per bag) for 12 bags of Pioneer P35Z76E soybean seed, furnished by Craig Drake. Meanwhile, six bags of Golden Harvest soybean seed, provided by Mitch Ferree, of Bunker Hill Supply, picked up $270 ($45 per bag).

Three lots held soil amendments and related products. A group of three bags of Danko 16 percent layer mash contributed by Sullivan, Indiana’s Danko Farm Supply, went for $52.50 ($17.50 per bag). A lot of two bags of the same product, also provided by Danko Farm Supply, brought $37.50 ($18.75 per bag). The final item in this category, a 5-gallon twin pack of NanoPro, donated by Jeremiah Faulk, got picked up for just $4.

Another three lots contained livestock feeds. Bids hit $80 ($16/bag) for a lot of five 50-pound bags of Fat Steer cattle feed presented by Danko Farm Supply. A pair of 50-pound bags of Umbarger Show Feed for Horses, donated by Martin Mill and Elevator, was grabbed for $27.50 ($13.75/bag); and, a single 50-pound bag of Front View Feeds Scratch Grains chicken feed, also made available from Martin Mill and Elevator, left for $20.

Bidders with pets went after several more items. A single 35-pound bag of Hill’s Science Diet dog food for sensitive stomach and skin, contributed by Linton Veterinary Hospital, rose to $72.50 early in the auction. A package deal, with a $345 cat neutering certificate and a “goody basket” that included Kong puppy toys, a pet odor candle, air freshener spray, and other items furnished by Drs. Ben and Monica Poehlein, of Sullivan County Animal Hospital, got snapped up for a modest $42.50.

A small assortment of tools and implements were available, including a gift certificate redeemable for a ThunderStorm 34-by-40-foot semi-trailer tarp, made available by Tuttle Equipment, which reached $540. Just before, a lot with four 50-foot rolls of 4-inch field tile, contributed by Valley Tile, hit $190 ($47.50/roll). The final item in the category, a Corona Comfort Gel hand pruner, offered by Jason Ellermann with Crop Tech Seeds, fetched $16.

There was also some manufacturers’ branded merchandise including a new-in-box, 1/16-scale ERTL Prestige Collection John Deere 4430, provided by Jason Boyles with Sloan Implement, that landed an impressive $100. Right after, a pair of Sloan Implement John Deere baseball caps were picked up for $14. To enjoy after one’s workday, there was a trio of 12-count boxes of Beck’s Microwave Popcorn, furnished by Rex Decker, of Red Cloud Farms, LLC, which raised $27.50.

The auction raised over $9,000, ensuring continued opportunities for the Sullivan FFA chapter and its students.