Fair Livesock Auction - Another Perspective
By Steve Godfrey
Sept. 02, 2010
Photo by Aaron Mathison
A product of the Wenatchee High School FFA program, Aaron Mathison understands the need to "pass it on."
The reasons for supporting the Livestock Auction at the Chelan County Fair may vary a little, but there’s usually a common theme – supporting the kids.
“Actually, it’s bigger than that,” says Aaron Mathison. A past 3-year member of Wenatchee High School FFA, he continues, “My high school Ag teacher, Dave Odenrider, really opened my eyes to the realities of the world.”
Aaron was raised on a multi generational orchard and was really impressed with his FFA mentors in high school. He now considers his support of the Livestock Auction as a way to “pass it on.”
“Kids these days have a lot of distractions from reality. When they spend time on electronics – Facebook, the Internet, video games – that’s time away from learning about the realities of life. FFA programs teach kids about life’s realities,” he says.
Aaron continues, “My support for the Livestock Auction is not only showing support for the kids and all of their hard work in getting an animal ready for the auction, it’s more a tip of my hat to all the mentors that helped the kids get to that point.”
As a bidder at the Livestock Auction, Aaron represents Bob Mathison Orchards, Mathison Trucking, and Thomas K. Mathison Orchards.
“We send most of the animals we buy at the auction to a custom butcher, and we distribute the meat to our crew,” adds Aaron. That, folks, is the reality of the world of livestock auctions.
Aaron Mathison – a Chelan County Fair Unsung Hero? Like most of them, Aaron doesn't think so, but he sure is!
