Limousin Exhibitor Helps Families In Need
by Megan Clark , CAC Media Group
Being a part of the show cattle industry affords us the opportunity to work with some of the best in the business . Not only do they bring a wealth of knowledge about livestock to the table , but they are also some of the biggest hearted people around .
A big heart can certainly be used to describe Iowa 4-H member , Owen Powell , and his family . Powell is a member of the Blue Grass Jr . Farmers 4-H Club in Eastern Iowa and was selected as one of 25 participants in this year ’ s Governor ’ s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair . The Governor ’ s Charity Steer Show is a long-standing tradition that raises money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa , an organization that provides housing and meals to families whose children are receiving ongoing medical care .
At this year ’ s show , Powell and his Lim- Flex steer , Chuck , made history by raising a whopping $ 42,600 through donations from his family and community . After the show , Chuck was sold at the auction , which brought in an additional $ 5,000 , setting a new record for the event .
Powell got started with this journey by sending a letter to planning co-chairs Tanner Lawton and Casey Andersen requesting to be considered as an exhibitor . After months of waiting , Powell was notified he had been selected . His steer , Chuck , was purchased from
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a local Limousin breeder , Kraig Puck , for market price , and initially wound up in the feedlot instead of the show barn . It was not until after he found out he was selected that Powell decided he wanted to show Chuck instead of the steer he had been working with .
“ I just wasn ’ t happy with the way my other steer was developing ,” said Powell . “ I thought Chuck would be better , so we took him out of the feedlot and started working with him every day .”
Along with the hours he was putting in the barn , Powell jumped right into fundraising . He started gaining local recognition for the project after he sent letters to businesses about his journey . What makes Powell ’ s story hit home is the fact he was selected to represent the Volunteer Boards of the Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities and his celebrities , Josh and Kristi Rasmusson , had first-hand experience with the organization . They are some of the many people that have utilized the Ronald McDonald charity when their son was born prematurely and had to stay in the hospital for monitoring . The family has been working with the house board ever since . continued on page 44