Dekker Adams’ Steer Raises $32,000 at Fair
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – There is seldom an easy way to deal with loss, especially when someone so young is taken before their time. However, the kindness of others can mean the world during a period of grieving. On July 13, 13-year-old Imbler student Dekker Adams passed away, leaving a painful rift in the hearts of friend, family and his community.
A lover of agriculture and a hard-working Greenhand member of the Imbler FFA Chapter, Dekker was to have shown another steer at the 2022 Union County Fair. Rather than being relegated to a memory of what could have been, however, the steer still made it to the fair, and became a catalyst for an outpouring of support during this difficult time.
As described by Ken Patterson, who oversaw this year’s livestock auction, the idea to raise money toward the steer didn’t come from any one person, but rather an overwhelming wish to pitch in by the community. According to Patterson, one of Dekker’s classmates, Jo Bingaman, was “running around with a clipboard,” collecting $16,000 dollars in donations during the fair alone. The steer itself was purchased at auction by Dekker’s grandparents for $12,00 dollars. This show of solidarity for the Adams family culminated in roughly $36,000 dollars between all donations and the final purchase.
The money raised will be given to the Adams family, who have expressed their intent to donate it to the Imbler FFA Chapter. Dekker’s steer was processed locally a Hines for private consumption.
While the fair and auction period have ended, Patterson described how this effort to help the Adams not only shows the sheer unity and kindness of the Union County community but is also reflective of the effort put toward youth agricultural education and the opportunities that come from it. Patterson further remarked, “I’m always amazed how much support we get from the community,” and, “the kids are doing great things in FFA and 4-H.”
Dekker Adams’ obituary can be found at Dekker Dane Adams Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information (lovelandfuneralchapel.com)
Information on the Union County Fair available at Home (unioncountyfair.org)
Information on the Imbler FFA Chapter available at IMBLER FFA | Imbler Schools
Photo – Dekker Adams from Imbler School District Facebook.
