CMAC Pie Auction, Banquet Raises Over $28K

Although the icy cold weather cut down on the number of entries and attendees, the 2026 CMAC Pie Auction was a success, judging by how much was raised for ag scholarships.

A total of $28,700 was generated by admission, and the pie & cake auction Saturday night at the Pork Place on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, according to CMAC Treasurer and Pie Banquet Chair Janice Klenke.

Glen La Rue of Sweet Springs was the auctioneer for the event.

By contrast, proceeds from the 2025 pie auction funded eight ag scholarships for high school seniors and college freshmen totaling $26,800.

Proceeds from last year’s event also sponsored over 700 area youth attending the Historical Ag Farming Tour in Cole Camp the previous spring. In addition, $8,000 was donated to 4-H and FFA for their shows, events and activities.

Proceeds from the 2026 Ag Appreciation Banquet “go to promote youth in agriculture in the area, whether it be scholarships, promoting F-H and FFA, Livestock shows, horse shows, dog shows, robotics, just about anything you could think of,” commented Kevin Daniel.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of the community. I mean, they’ve been very generous in their support of us, young in agriculture, and it’s just very humbling the kind of support they give us year in and year out,” Daniel said, adding that he was extremely happy with the turnout, considering the single-digit temps outside and the powdery snow falling during the event, which attracted about 120 people.

Bob and Patty Wheeler with the Missouri Pork Producers Association laid out a fine buffet meal for those in attendance Saturday night. “They do a fantastic job,” Daniel noted.

Coming up Feb. 6-7 at the Mathewson Exhibition Center and the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall is the 2026 Ag Expo, an event Daniel is very familiar with, as serves as co-chairman of the event, along with Danny Young.

There’s free admission to the event, which runs 9 to 7 Friday and 9-5 Saturday.

Rayleigh Birdwell of La Monte won grand champion youth division with her Strawberry Stardust Pie, which she made Friday night. She told KSIS that she comes from a family with a strong tradition of baking pies for all the major holidays.

However, Rayleigh said it’s always a struggle every year with the pie crusts. “Like this year, we had two failed attempts again, and I was like ‘great”” she recalled. “But then, we just made some more, kept going and tried to get this done.”

“I’ve also been doing cake decorating, so it’s just super easy to make a cake look pretty,” Birdwell said, adding that her mom is always in the kitchen with her for emotional support. “She’s always helping me out.”

Even though she’s from La Monte, Rayleigh attends Green Ridge High School. “We own land that’s in Green Ridge, and  we also own land in La Monte, so I got to choose between either one,” she explained.

The CMAC Farm Family of Pettis County for 2025 was Melissa, Justin and James Jones.

Get our free mobile app

The CMAC 2025 Missouri Century Farm plaque was awarded to the Durley Farm, owned by Davis Calliss.

Elliott Cooley, Rayleigh Birdwell, Elise Cooley and Maggie Reed (unable to attend) comprised the Pettis County 4-H livestock judging team. They competed at state in Columbia last June and took third place, worth $500.  This allowed the team to compete at nationals in Denver earlier this month, Jan. 9. They judged 12 classes – cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. The team placed 12th overall and sixth in the sheep division. Elliott thanked CMAC for its financial support, making the trip to Denver possible.

Dr. Doug Kiburz and three musicians provided the entertainment Saturday night. He also created and contributed four art pieces for the auction.

Shown in the top photo is Rayleigh Birdwell of La Monte, who won grand champion pie.