Ag Society Conducts May Board Meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, May 4, 2022, for their May monthly board meeting. Fifteen directors and nine guests were present.

Brad Murphy, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Sara Zaleski, Wildlife Research Technician from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, spoke about needing another data collection location for deer, in the fall of 2022. All of Hardin County has now been declared a Disease Surveillance Area and everyone harvesting deer in Hardin County will need to present their deer for sampling. Mark Garmon and Jack McBride moved to have the Hardin County Fairgrounds as a testing drop off site. Motion passed unanimously. One kiosk will be located on the fairgrounds for the deer heads between the dates of Sept. 12th, 2022 – Feb. 11th, 2023. On site inspectors will be on the fairgrounds from Nov. 28 – Dec. 4 from 8am-8pm.

Amanda Raines, OSU 4-H Extension Agent, stated there are 566 kids enrolled in 4-H this year and 89 4-H volunteers.

Correspondence was received from the Hardin County Community Foundation. The Hardin County Ag. Society was granted one of their 146 grants. This money will go towards the interior painting of the Community Building.

The updated Strategic Plan was approved. Directors accepted the updated general rules, exhibitor rules and violation procedures for the fair the Fair Book, along with the fair book in general and moved to transfer $17,000 from the Consignment Sale Account to the Capital Improvement Account.

Rob Wilson, representing the Ground’s committee, stated floor work in the Community Building is now complete, along with the painting of the interior of the Community Building. The Ground’s Committee was given the approval to hire seasonal help for 2-3X wkly at $10 per hour.

Judi Cronley, Hardin County Ag. Society Secretary/Treasurer, stated all fair camping spots have been paid, for the 2022 Hardin County Fair. It was noted the Cushman Club will start moving in this coming weekend. Their swap meet is May 11 – May 14.

General admission for the Cheerleading Competition, during the Hardin County Fair, was set at $5.00. It was noted Judi sent the High School Band Contracts, for their show during the fair, this week.

It was noted a judge is still needed for the JR Fair Dairy Show. Contracts for JR Fair Livestock shows will be sent this month. The Dairy Beef Feeder weigh in and tagging is scheduled for Saturday, May 28th from 8am-10:30am. The sheep weigh in is Saturday, June 11th from 8am-10am and the goat weigh in is Saturday, June 11th from 10am-11am.

Brad Murphy, stated the on line application for vendor and concessions is still available on the Fair’s website. He also stated there is no contracts for pop. Concessions, along with the local restaurants and commodity groups, will have to work directly with their own source to get products. Brad is looking into ice options during the week of the fair.

Sherri Beale, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated a new ribbon company is being used this year.

Jake McFadden, Sponsorship committee member, stated there are currently 37 sponsors for this year’s fair, with a value over $36,000. Invoices were sent to 11 sponsors who wanted billed worth $15,825.

The Fair Premium Book will be on line soon, with print copies available in the Secretary Office sometime in June.

Under old business:
Judi stated she is still in need of judges for Open Class Decorative Painting, Crafts & Ceramics, Open Class Woodworking and Open Class Drawing. There are still a few box seat holders that haven’t paid, and phone calls will be made to those.

Under new business:
Directors decided to go with P & R Communications for two way radio rental, at a rental cost of $1200. Judi noted there were 2 new groups who received box seat agreements this year and the 1st quarter Fair Newsletter has been sent.

The next Fair Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1st at 7pm.