“Some pig!” proclaimed the spider web above Wilbur’s pen, in a reference to the beloved children’s book, “Charlotte’s Web.” The same might be said about locally raised hog, Cash n’ Carry.
The 264-pound Yorkshire breed was the main attraction during the Jr. Livestock Auction at the San Benito County Fair on Saturday, as the hog demonstrated some “terrific” fundraising chops.
Fifty-seven families and community organizations from across the county contributed $1,000 a piece to buy the Heritage Hog, totaling approximately $57,000. The money was put together by San Benito High senior Mary Alameda, who also raised the hog.
“The community continues to give back to the agricultural community,” said Rob Bernosky, the secretary for the San Benito County Heritage Foundation, in an interview. “They would like to see Bolado Park be a center for the community.”
Earlier this summer, Alameda was selected by the Heritage Foundation to raise the hog. Each year, the organization chooses one student to raise a hog for auction and has the student reach out to local community organizations to help support the Heritage Foundation. Alameda is a member of San Benito High’s 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs.
“She is an incredible ambassador to Bolado Park and the agricultural community as a whole,” Bernosky said, in reference to Alameda.
Students from years past have raised more than $30,000 a year for the Heritage Foundation, making Alameda’s haul of $57,000 especially impressive.
At a final weight of 264 pounds, the hog was 140 pounds when Alameda began caring for him back in June, when local hog producer KV Swine donated him to the fundraising effort. McAbee Feed provided the feed for the swine.
The fundraising effort is to benefit the San Benito Heritage Foundation, which will use the funds to improve Bolado Park and the fairgrounds.
“I want to thank the Heritage Foundation for doing this,” Mary Alameda said in a tearful speech to the crowd. She said she’s been raising hogs since she can remember.
As a result of the “feeding, walking and weighing” of the hog over the summer, as Alameda described her experience with the hog, Alameda will be getting a $1,000 scholarship from the Heritage Foundation.
The organization plans to use the funds to “beautify the park” and upgrade the facilities and marketing of Bolado Park, said Bernosky.
