Minutes from Ag Society October Meeting Released

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, October 5, 2022, for their October monthly board meeting. Thirteen directors and fourteen guests were present.

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

Max Trachsel, representing the Hardin County Council on Aging, spoke on the Senior Renewable Tax Levy.
Rusty Bingham was present to give a suggestion to the Swine Committee. He would like to have a pure-bred swine show and allow the swine exhibitors to bring 3 hogs to the fair. He thinks this will start to boost entry numbers.

Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension, spoke on the carcass show.

Tim Striker, Hardin County Commissioner, stated how proud he was of the fair board for having a great Hardin County Fair.

Dave Faulkner, representative of the Posse, stated they spent over 700 hours during the fair working. He said they were happy with the new West gate and how it helped ease congestion. Overall, he commended the fair board, but did state there was a lack of communication with the fair board and the posse, with one situation.

Jim Bidwell, representing the shuttle committee, suggested shuttle stops in the parking lots. That was well received by the fair board.
Meghan Yoakum, petition nominee for Director, expressed her interest in coming on the fair board for Liberty Twp.

Correspondence was read from Josie & Callie Schwemer, Samantha & Cane Sullivan, Nancy Musselman and Dorothy Pelanda, ODA Director.

The Emergency Board Meeting Minutes from Sept. 9th were approved.

Rob Wilson, representing the Ground’s committee, stated the Hardin Northern FFA stacked benches and picked up trash after the fair. The Directors agreed to pay the HN FFA $200 for handling this duty. It was noted that one refrigerator/freezer in the community building died during the fair, so it has been removed. There are now 2 coolers, along with one refrigerator/freezer in the community building. Rob also stated work will be done on the steps in the show arena to make them safer and other work needing to be done on the barns. He also stated more table and chairs need purchased, along with painting the interior of the arts/crafts building. Directors agreed to purchase a gas-powered air compressor at a cap of $2000. Directors agreed to purchase 10 trees from New Leaf Landscaping, with New Leaf planting them. These trees will be available for people to use in memory of someone, at a cost of $300 each. The directors are hoping people will use these trees for memorials, since benches are no longer used for memorials. It was noted winter storage began Oct. 1st at the new price of $30 a month for vehicles and $15 per linear foot for campers, boat trailers, etc.

Judi Cronley noted the fair camping wait list grew to 32 people during the fair. People can still call the office and get put on the list if they are interested in camping during the fair.

Judi went over the Fair Grandstand Report and Harness Racing Report. Both outcomes on the reports were very good.

Judi gave an update on the JR Fair Livestock Sale. The gross purchase was $499, 883, which broke a record. There is still around $110,000 to be collected before livestock exhibitor checks will be ready for pick up. Thanks to one person in the community, every livestock exhibitor will at least be getting a check for $505. Notices will go out on social media and through advisors when checks will be available for pick up.

Jake McFadden, sponsorship/advertising chairman, stated a meeting will be held to discuss a budget for them to request to the board. He also stated this meeting will be held with the fair book committee, to discuss options for a fair book.

It was noted the tech. committee will be purchasing 2 iPads for Open Class to start using to do their judging during the fair.

It was discussed that a Fair Sponsorship/volunteer dinner will be held again in December. Also, the gate committee will be submitting a written proposal to the commissioners for a new east parking lot exit.

Under old business:

The kiosk from Ohio Division of Wildlife for deer heads is now at the Main Gate. JR Fair and Open Class Premium checks can still be picked up in the secretary office during business hours on Wednesday and Fridays 9-4pm until November 18th. All checks need to be cashed by the end of November. Petitions for the November Fair Board Director Election are dure by Friday, Oct. 28th at 4pm. Up for election this year: 2 director at large positions, Buck Twp., Hale Twp., Jackson Twp., Liberty Twp., and Pleasant Twp. for 3-year terms. A director is still needed for Taylor Creek Twp – 1 year term and Lynn Twp. – for a 2-year term. Anyone wanting to run for one of those director positions needs to come to the secretary’s office to pick up a petition by Friday, Oct. 14th at 4pm, then the petition needs to be returned to the Secretary’s office by Friday, Oct. 28th at 4pm. Just a reminder to run for a position, you need to be a member, which can be added on to your season ticket by Oct. 14th. Other criteria for running for fair board, is that the person attend a fair board meeting before the election and that can still be done on November 2nd.

Under new Business:

The request for next year’s fair as Sept. 5-10th will be sent to the Ohio Dept. of Ag. The request for the 2023 Fair Fund Money from the Ohio Dept. of Ag. Was approved by the directors. Kelly “Buck” Buchenroth was nominated as the Hardin County Fair 2022 Outstanding Fair Supporter to the Ohio Dept. of Ag. Jack McBride was nominated as Hardin County’s Fair Delegate at the OFMA Convention and Jake McFadden was nominated as the alternate Fair Delegate at the OFMA Convention. It was announced that the Dist. 2 Fall meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3rd at 7pm, at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds. The annual fair membership meeting and reorganizational meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5th at 7:30pm in the Community Building. The Annual Fair Board Director Election is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5th from 3-7pm in the Fair Board Office. Jack McBride, Dan Beale, Steve Harpster, Brad Murphy, and Mark Garmon nominated themselves to be the judges and clerks for the Fair Board Election. Rob Wilson suggested to hold another fundraiser the year, being a reserve raffle.

The next Fair Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2nd at 7pm in the Community Building.