π Family keeps CT's last livestock auction alive
Sebastian Scirpo started the Middlesex Livestock Auction in 1959 from a chicken coop, making $7 on his first commission. His daughters, Lisa (62) and Lana (67), now run the sale barn in Middlefield, Connecticut. The auction, established in 1970, is now the state's only remaining sale barn amidst changing agricultural trends. Lisa insists the auction provides farmers with a crucial public pricing option against market volatility. The family continues to operate this vital local institution while managing complex business and animal care duties. π