George grew up on a diversified farm in Norwest Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Agriculture with an emphasis on Ag Economics. In addition to production agriculture jobs, he was active in FFA in both high school and college. After spending a year working on a commercial confinement hog farm, he relocated to the northwest and began working in dairy sanitation sales. In 1993, he started Northwest Animal Supply to provide producers with quality animal health, feed additives, dairy sanitation and forage treatments. About the same time, he began small commercial beef herd. It didn’t take long to decide to focus on herd improvement by switching to registered Black Angus and studying and researching genomics and grazing technologies.
George believes that the livestock auction teaches many skills that will help prepare youth for their future careers. Some skills that are learned are animal selection, animal and financial management, feeding, care, and marketing. Youth also learn the value of hard work, cooperation, resiliency and perseverance.
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Natalie has been involved in the auction since 2019, after completing nine years as a participant of the auction herself. Natalie finds that being a member of the auction committee is such a great opportunity to give back to the community that supported her throughout her livestock career. She is proud to be continuing a tradition that helped her connect with many people in the community. Natalie says, "It is incredible to watch kids develop strong work ethics and grow in confidence throughout their time selling animals in the auction. Raising livestock was such a big part of my childhood. It feels full-circle to take on the role that my leaders and role models once did and pay it forward to give participants the best experience possible."
CURT HERMAN- AUCTION COMMITTEE SCALE AND RING MEN COORDINATOR
JEN REYNOLDS- WCLA YOUTH LIVESTOCK AUCTION CO-CHAIR
2021 marks Jen's 4th year on the auction committee. Jen says, "The auction is important to me because I want to see the kids put in the hard work, to challenge themselves to raise the best animal possible, to succeed and be rewarded, not only with the paycheck at the end, but the pride they should feel after seeing what their hard work yields."
Karolyn has been a part of the WCLA auction committee for two years. She highlights the significance of the auction saying, "The Auction is an important community event because it provides competitive prices for Ag Kids that raise livestock. The Auction is the final reward to all the hard work that the kids put in to raising the perfect show animal". Karolyn is the point person for WCLA memberships and ways to make donations to the Auction.
SUSIE GANGER WCLA BOARD VICE PRESIDENT, AUCTION COMMITTEE 4H LIAISON
Susie began her tenure on the Auction Committee in 2015 and hasn't slowed down since. Susie enjoys helping youth learn all the basics of raising farm animals from training to health care, record keeping, halter breaking, washing etc. Susie says that through participation in the auction, kids get to see how all their hard work has paid off. She enjoys seeing the kids use the proceeds of their efforts to support further education such as college or trade schools.
DAN JORDON- WCLA BOARD DIRECTOR, BLUE RIBBON STEAK DINNER COORDINATOR AUCTION COMMITTEE MEMBER AT LARGE
Dan joined the WCLA Youth Livestock Auction Committee in 2023. Dan says, "I have lived in Buxton Oregon since 2001 raised 9 kids with my sweet wife, Jana, on a small 23-acre farm. I wanted my kids to learn how to raise and take care of animals because I never had the opportunity when I was growing up. Our 1st year taking kids and animals to fair was in 2003 and it has been a great learning experience for us all. I appreciated all the behind the scenes work that the Auction Committee did for my kids with attracting buyers, offering scholarships, and putting on a great auction. I now have a little time that I can finally give back and am happy to be involved with a great group of people who truly want to help kids succeed in life."
NIC VIAL- AUCTION COMMITTEE SPONSORSHIPS COORDINATOR, BEEF REPRESENTATIVE
Nic has been serving the youth of Washington County for six years. Nic says that raising beef to show and sell as a 4-Her allowed him to have the funds he needed to get through college. He sees the auction as one of the best ways that our youth can have a meaningful experience, and at the same time have a way to earn money that will benefit them in the future. Being a part of the teamwork and planning that goes into it is important to him, so that we have a way to support the next generation to have the same opportunities.
BILL GANGER WCLA AUCTION COMMITTEE FAIR LIAISON LOYCE GANGER WCLA BOARD SECRETARY, AUCTION COMMITTEE MAILERS AND SIGNAGE COORDINATOR
Bill was an active member of the FFA Chapter all four years of high school. He has shown at the Washington County Fair for over 50 years. Bill currently also serves as the Co-Treasure for the Hillsboro FFA Alumni. He has guided many young people through the auction at his family farm in Hillsboro.
Loyce was an active member of the Forest Grove FFA Chapter throughout high school and showed at the Washington County Fair. Her three children were active members of Washington County 4-H and FFA. As a parent of children and now grandchildren, that raise and show livestock through the auction, Loyce believes that the life lessons that shape participants into adults is one of the most valuable aspects of the auction. As her children follow their own path, she recognizes the lessons learned in the auction translating into the lifestyles and families as they continue to grow.
Together, Bill and Loyce breed, raise, and show Charolais cattle around the Pacific Northwest.