For the Gazette

MADISON – Custer-based meat market, the People’s Meat Market, won first reserve champion in the category of dried or smoked beef this year.

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction is back at the Wisconsin State Fair celebrating its 27^th year on August 7, in the Case IH Coliseum, for another Blue Ribbon winning year.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Office, 608-262-1597 or by going online towww.Wis4HFoundation.org.

Left to right are: Meat product contest judges (L to R): Mark Schafer (Richelieu Foods; Beaver Dam, WI); Adam Borger (Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin; Madison, WI); Duane Bunting (Retired, Sentry Foods; Dousman, WI); Megan McGough (Kerry Ingredients; Beloit, WI); Tim Lorang (Tyson Prepared Foods; Jefferson, WI); and Terry Timm (Retired, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Appleton, WI)

Stars of the evening will include the Grand Champion, 1^st Reserve Champion and 2^nd Reserve Champion meat products from all categories of the 2018 Meat Products Contest, as well as the 2018 Best in Show product. Best of Show is selected from entries across the state that were judged and is announced at the auction.

According to a press release, last year, Gov. Walker encouraged attendees to raise their bidder cards high for Wisconsin 4-H youth. In total, over $130,000 was raised in 2017, and sights are set to surpass this record-breaking amount in 2018.

Auction’s proceeds support Wisconsin 4-H activities including 4-H conferences, teaching materials and workshops, and overall development of 4-H youth.