Titan Tires takes pride in sponsoring the FFA benefit auction at the Farm Progress Show each time the show is in Decatur, Ill. The auction is held on their lot. More than half of the money raised comes from the sale of tires donated by Titan.

This year the sales reached a reported record amount. The final tally isn't in, but should be near $80,000, sources say. The money will be divided between the Indiana and Illinois FFA Foundations for use in their programs in their respective states.

What's your bid? Tires and other items went up for bids at the recent Farm Progress Show.

"We were able to contact many other exhibitors before the show and ask for items that we could sell during the auction," says Lisa Chaudion, Indiana FFA Foundation Director. Her counterpart is Al Zwilling with the Illinois FFA.

Besides a wide array of tires from Titan and Goodyear, ranging from golf cart tires to the huge rear tires for combines, the auctioneers, who also donated their time, sold certificates for seed form several companies, plus a wide array of other items, from popcorn to complete GPS systems to popular farm scene lithographs. A silent auction inside the Illinois and Indiana FFA tent adjoining the Titan lot also raised money for the groups.

Farm Progress Companies donates space for the Indiana and Illinois FFA displays. Registering for the auction happens in the tent. During the rest of the show, all seven officers of the Indiana FFA and two Illinois FFA state officers took turns manning the FFA booth.

Most tires sold well below list price, as this remains an excellent way to purchase quality tires if you are in need of them, especially for large machinery. The mix of tires were for tractors, ATV 's, even grain carts. The same set of tires was offered each day.  Tire sales accounted for well over half the total gross amount raised for the two FFA Foundations.