BOZEMAN -- Events during Agriculture Appreciation Weekend at Montana State University raised about $14,000 for student activities.

            MSU's College of Agriculture organized a silent auction, Kiss a Critter contest and raffle. The three together grossed over $14,000 that is used to support agricultural student activities, says Lynn Schledorn-Speakman, who coordinated the event. There will be various expenses that come out of that total before a final figure is known, including returning unsold items, says Speakman.

            An annual event, this year individuals and merchants donated over 200 items for the silent auction, ranging from bronze sculptures and peppermint tea to clothing and cases of oil.

            The highlight of the weekend was presentation during halftime of the football game of the individuals chosen as agricultural leaders: Vern and Naomi Pluhar of Cohagen (northwest of Miles City) and Greg Gould and Dr. Aimee Hachigian-Gould and their sons Brandon and Andrew of Ulm (south of Great Falls).

            This award is given annually by the College of Agriculture to people who are involved in either production agriculture or agribusiness and who have exhibited outstanding leadership.

            Also at halftime, the college announced the winner of the Kiss a Critter Contest. For a third year, MSU College of Agriculture Dean Sharron Quisenberry was the high-money raiser for the contest, which also raises money for student activities. That earned her the honor of kissing a well-mannered sheep named May (the type of critter changes each year).

            Three MSU students were the raffle winners. Karl Drga won two tickets from Montana Travel of Bozeman anywhere Northwest Airlines goes. Sara Wilkins won an original sculpture by Jim Dolan, and Kyle Terry won a Three-in-One parka from Creative Monograms of Billings. The drawing was at the Nov. 10 Boots and Bowties dance, which over 300 people attended.