A long list of sponsors helped make the recent cow patty bingo in Bakersville happen.
The Mitchell County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee recently held its annual fundraiser during the North Carolina Rhododendron Crafts Fair on the Creek Walk.
The fundraiser combines fun with fundraising to provide a college scholarship to a Mitchell County student who plans to major in an agricultural-related field.
The Cow Patty Bingo Booth was unlike any other at the event and citizens won the “pooping contest.” Fifty individuals bought tickets each day for a chance to win $500 on the condition that the cow would choose his/her square on which to leave a cow patty.
Bingo was then called and the winning square in the ring netted cash for the lucky winner.
Cow Patty Bingo was played on both Friday and Saturday of the Rhododendron Festival and tickets were sold by members of the Women’s Committee to people throughout the county prior to the event. A few tickets were sold at the booth.
Amy Thomas, a teacher who participated in the Ag in the Classroom Workshop with fellow teachers, won Friday’s Bingo. The cow knew what to do on Saturday to stay out of trouble and planted the cow patty in the middle of Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street’s square.
Both Thomas and Street were caught on camera with their checks
Two farm-related baskets were created by the Women’s Committee and raffled off. Serena Rowe won the Friday chicken-themed basket while Chuck Shelton picked up the themed donkey basket on Saturday.
Businesses and individuals contributed to the event at different gift levels. All the contributors who helped fund the scholarship and other events on are pictured in this paper on a banner.
The Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is a part of the North Carolina Farm Bureau and advocates for farmers and helps provide agricultural education for adults and youth.
The Mitchell County Women’s Committee is one of the strongest in the district, said Luke Beam, North Carolina Farm Bureau Field Representative. Among its activities are reading agricultural-related books in Spruce Pine and Bakersville school classrooms each month, reading during story-times in the public libraries and coordinating an agricultural workshop for teachers that includes tours and training.
The committee also interviews and selects a graduating senior to receive the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Agricultural Scholarship valued at $2,000 each year. Its Agricultural Science Days for elementary students also make an impact.
More than 200 children stayed after school at Deyton Elementary for the most recent science fair. In the first year, more than 100 Gouge students participated.
Principal Colby Calhoun requested that the next Gouge Elementary day be conducted during school hours so that every student can participate.
Barbara Harrell chairs the Mitchell County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and Gloria Huskins is the staff representative. They are backed by roughly 10 women who regularly serve.
To join the committee, contact Huskins at the Bakersville Farm Bureau Office.