WALNUT CREEK, Ohio — Kerry Taylor, president of the Holmes County Agricultural Society, told volunteers and guests attending the annual 4-H Volunteer Recognition banquet that they had a good year, in spite of dealing with another flood, mud and rain.
“We had a good year, we made some money, although attendance was down due to rainy weather during the fair,” Taylor said.
He said the county is fortunate to have a strong 4-H and FFA program. This year’s junior fair livestock auction totaled over $543,000.
Strong support
Taylor said for a small county fair, the quality of livestock and shows is strong.
This year, the fair board started a new award called the Friend of the Fair. Ripley Church of Christ was selected as the first recipient. During the fair, church members operate a shuttle from the parking lot to the main gate of the fairgrounds.
Church members also assisted the fair board with clean-up and tear down projects at the completion of the fair.
Darla Miller was recognized as the 2014 4-H alumni. Miller has been a 4-H volunteer for 38 years and has been the advisor for two 4-H clubs and started her current club — Green Acres 4-H Club.
During that time, she has picked up 4-H books, helped with fair decorations, and prepared refreshments for club activities. She has been involved in the dairy boosters, helped with the dairy princess contest and provides dairy products for different organizations.
She also helps with the fifth-grade farm tour, and she milks and mixes feed for the family’s Jersey herd.
More awards
Arlie Rodhe and his family received the Friend of 4-H Award. The Rodhe family has been strong supporters of the Holmes County Junior Fair Livestock Sale for many years. They also sponsor the 4-H Lifeskills and Nutrition Project cookbook awards each year.
Scott Rodhe has been a volunteer with the Real Money Real World program for eighth graders in the county school districts. He mans the grocery store portion of the program and provides snacks for participants.
The Troy Miller Agency received the 2014 Partner in 4-H Award. Troy Miller got involved in the fair first as a supporter of the junior fair livestock auction.
That support evolved into transporting rabbit and poultry projects to the processor at the end of the fair. For the past four years, Miller and his family have provided T-shirts to the junior fair exhibitors and volunteers.
Austin Casey received the Holmes County Junior Fair board Outstanding Member Award. This award is presented to the Junior Fair board member who went the extra mile help the group during the year.
The 4-H Club Treasurer Award was presented to Morganne Balder. She is the daughter of Scott and Teresa Balder of Millersburg and is a student at West Holmes High School. She is a member of the Doughty Valley 4-H club and is serving her third year as treasurer. Her projects this year included llamas and dairy heifers.
The 4-H Club Secretary Award was presented to Timothy Kandel. Timothy is the son of Ron and Julie Kandel and is a three-year member of the Green Acres 4-H Club. This is his first year as the club’s secretary and he volunteered when no one else would. His projects have included broilers and market ducks.
Honor clubs included Buckeye 4-H, Green Acres, Nashville Jolly Farmers, Holmes County Shooting Sports, and OH-4H.
As part of the honor club application process, clubs also share their activities during the year that exemplify the significance of the 4-H’s “Head, Hands, Heart, Health,” and promoting 4-H. The Head activity is an educational program or project that stimulates learning.
Helping out
Buckeye 4-H Club received first place. Club members attended the Holmes County Bunny Day Camp, learning about breeds, nutrition, health, meat and marketing, showmanship and breeding.
The Heart Activity demonstrates giving; something the club does for others. The Holmes County Shooting Sports 4-H Club received first place. This year, the club assisted with the Holmes County ALS Benefit Walk, serving on committees, helping with set-up, serving food and conducting a silent auction.
Proceeds benefit ALS patients in Holmes and Wayne County, as well as the ALS Association of Northeast Ohio.
The Hands Activity focuses on community service and hands-on learning. OH-4H received first place. This year, the club made homemade laundry detergent and donated 42 gallons of detergent to the Glenmont Food Pantry.
The Health Activity focuses on health or safety activities. First place went to Green Acres 4- H Club. Two Club members gave a program on bike safety and the importance of helmets and healthy eating.
The Clover Activity demonstrates promotion of 4-H or 4-H Club work. First place went to the Nashville Jolly Farmers. The club hosts an achievement night to recognize members for their accomplishments. They also encourage members to wa
lk in the ALS walk in honor of a former club member, Larry Lang.
