Getting Ready for Moo Poo
(Crystal A. Proxmire, 5/9/2011)
It’s not every day that crowds of people stand around cheering on a cow as it decides where to take a dump. But for a lucky Moo Poo Plot owner, that cow’s pile will mean a prize of $1,000.
In the wacky Ferndale Football tradition, the football and baseball teams for Ferndale High School and Middle School will be selling $10 plots of grass on the Middle School Football field for their annual Moo Poo fundraiser. Since at least 2005 the Football teams have been putting on the event to raise money to send football players to camp and for equipment that students or their families would otherwise have to pay for on their own. This is the first year that the baseball team has gotten involved, and the money raised will be shared between the two teams.
Each plot of the field is approximately 2 yards by 2 yards, and is determined by a computer program which assigns it to a ticket holder’s number. At noon on June 11, two cows are let loose on the field, where they are allowed to roam freely and do their business wherever they’d like.
Once the first cow leaves the first pile, a survey is done to determine whose patch of grass has gotten the poop. The lucky owner is awarded $1,000. The second poo is worth $500 to the lucky plot owner, and the third poo brings it’s plot owner $250.
If not enough turds are produced, a raffle will determine who gets the prizes.
“It usually taks about an hour or so for the first plop,” says Timothy Collins of the Eagles Nest (and yes, also the Ferndale Police Chief). “When it’s over the newest team members are the ones that take responsibility and clean it up.”
Collins said he’s not sure how the idea got started, but he’s glad that it’s caught on. “The money sends kids to football camp for an experience that is great for them. A lot of these boys have never been up north in the woods, or been able to go swimming in a lake,” he said. “They do a lot of work while they are there training. But in their off time they are swimming and out in nature. They sleep in a big room so they’re getting bonding and team-building. It’s something they grow from. But it costs about $200 bucks a kid to go, so this really helps.”
If you would like to purchase a plot, see any member of the football or baseball teams, or email Collins directly at tcollins@wideopenwest.com.
For those who aren’t as “moooo”ved by cow poop as teenage boys, there is an adult fundraising opportunity coming up to benefit the Football team as well. On May 25th at Greystone Golf Course in Romeo there will be hopefully feces-free golf outing. For all the info, download this pdf.
Here is a pic from last year’s Moo Poo, to help get you in the “moooo”d for a fun fundraiser!
