Hardin County Ag Society Addresses Tornado Damage, Approves Recovery and Fair Plans at Recent Meeting

The Hardin County Ag Society met recently for the first time since the March 26 tornado that caused extensive damage to the fairgrounds.

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for their April monthly board meeting at the OSU Hardin County Extension Office. 19 Directors and 15 guests were present.

Jake McFadden, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Joe Sherman, County Commissioner stated he was glad everyone survived the Tornado that hit the Fairgrounds last week and applauded everyone for all of their hard work in dealing with the issue.  Catherine Scharf requested the use of risers for two events she is involved with. The first was for the grand re-opening of the Alger Memorial Park on Thursday, May 14th and for the Hardin County Players play on the weekend of January 16 and 17th. 

Charlie McCullough and Abe Decker moved to allow Catherine use the risers for those 2 events.  The motion passed unanimously.  The executive committee will discuss a price for the Hardin County Players to use the Community Building in January. 

Daryl Flowers introduced himself and said that he is running for Hardin County Commissioner. 

Mark Schwemer introduced himself and said that he is running for Hardin County Auditor.  

Correspondence was read from the Hardin County Veterans’ Service Commission, Steven Gossard, Executive Director.  He requested the use of the shelter house on the first day of the fair and having his honor guard members raise the flag at the opening ceremony of the fair.  Steve Harpster and Abe Decker moved to honor these requests.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Charlie McCullough and Christa Rarey moved to approve last month’s minutes with the amendment of the statement from the Royalty Committee.  The Sr, Fairboard and Jr. Fairboard will each pay for one night of the queen’s stay at the OFMA Convention and the Royalty Committee will pay for the Queen’s application fee.  The amended minutes passed unanimously.  

The Ag. Society agreed  to approve the Society’s 990 and Judi Cronley, Board Treasurer, will file the form.  Judi has also been working on transitioning from Middlefield Bank to HSLC.  

Jake McFadden then discussed the Tornado damage to the fairgrounds.  The  insurers from the County have been on the grounds and have assessed  the buildings on the grounds. There will be a total of 16 claims for damaged buildings.  Elected officials from the State and OFMA toured the facility last week.  There is a total loss for the round house that is used in the infield, rabbit barn and East end of the Machinery building.  Those will be torn down and rebuilt.  

A structural engineer will be coming to assess the integrity of the barns.  The show arena roof needs to be totally rebuilt.  There were 8 utility poles affected along with electrical wiring and 2 transformers.  90% of the internet and sound wiring needs replaced.  80% of the race track fencing needs to be replaced.  Roger Crates will be doing the major cleanup.  Hensels are willing to help in any way possible. The fairboard’s insurer for contents in buildings, was to be assessing those damages this past Friday.  

There was a work day this past Saturday for 4-H and FFA kids to assist with clean up from 9am to 12 noon.  Charlie McCullough and Christa Rarey moved to allow the development committee to oversee the tornado work.  The motion passed unanimously.  Charlie McCullough and Andrew Scharf moved to give spending authority up to $50,000 to Jake McFadden and Rob Wilson.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Sheri Beale, advisor from the Jr. Fairboard said the Jr. Fairboard made around $2,000 at the Consignment Sale.  She stated they had just received ribbons for the 2026 when the tornado hit their office.  The company they buy the ribbons from is giving them a 25% discount to purchase new ribbons. Online ribbon and trophy invoices will be sent soon.  Their next board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 26th.  

The next Development Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th at 7pm.

Other than working on cleanup from the tornado, the ground’s committee is working on getting the fork lifts in working order.  All winter storage has been picked up, except for a car in the Youth Ag Building.  

Charlie McCullough, Camping Chairman, stated there are still 3 current campers that have not paid for this year’s rent and they will be losing their spots.  Judi will start to call new campers next week.  The Ohio Good Sam group called to see if they could still come in July.  They were told they will have to have a new camp site map drawn up and the fairboard could not give total assurance for all sites having electricity.  

The only entertainment contract that needs to be signed is Studimo.  Saturday night’s fair concert entertainment will be announced this month.  

Judi is still waiting on final approval for fair book edits from the Beef and Dairy Departments. Judi is requesting department chairmen turn in their judges for the fair.  It was noted the poultry education day with QA is being moved from the Show Arena to the Arts/Crafts Building on Saturday, April 11th.   Jack McBride will be working on the fair veterinarian contract for the fair.  The Dairy Beef Feeder weigh in and tagging is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th from 8-10:30am at the fairgrounds.  

Applications for vendors & concessions are still available on the fair’s website and many have started to turn them in, 

Sponsorship applications are also available on the fair’s website and have been slowly coming in.

Kolt Buchenroth gave a report on Tech.  It was noted Jack McBride’s computer no longer works.  Board directors agreed  to purchase new computers at a cost not to exceed $5000 and agreed to purchase back ups at a cost of around $2000, These backups will be part of the new cybersecurity plan that is being requested by the Auditor of States Office.   

Judi Cronley gave a report on the Consignment Sale.  There were 35 new consignors from 19 different cities, 40 buy backs, and 16 people who did not receive a check – since their total income from their sales did not reach $50.  That was a total of $342.  Checks were sent to 142 consignors. 

There were 160 consignors, 585 items consigned, 268 buyers, and 620 registered buyers. The $5 consignment item fee brought in $2,851.  The committee received a huge donation from Hensel Ready Mix and HRM Trucking in the amount of $9,776.  Many thanks to their generous donation.  Profit without expenses was $34,515 better than many years.  Also many thanks to all of the volunteers who help make this day a success.  

Under old business:

Final edits are now being made to the 2026 fair book and it will go to print this month.  Jake McFadden is working on the contract with UNOH to man the gates of the 2026 fair.  Judi continues to request judges for the 2026 fair.  

Under new business: 

Judi gave an update on fair grounds rentals for April and May. The Cybersecurity Plan will be approved at the next board meeting. A pastor for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Hardin County Fair is being secured.  Box seat letters have been mailed, with their payments due by the end of April.  The Hardin County Ag.Society has been chosen for a BWC audit, with a date to be determined.  The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 at 7pm in the fair office.