Office Hours
Wednesday & Friday: 9AM - 4PM
Phone
419-675-2396
The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, February 1, 2023, for their February monthly board meeting. Seventeen directors and eleven guests were present.
Brad Murphy, Board President, called the meeting to order.
Mark Badertscher, OSU Hardin County Ag. Agent stated there are 6 commodity banquets coming up in the next 2 months, with the first one being the Horse Banquet on Feb. 18th. Roger Crowe, Hardin County Commissioner, stated the commissioners have agreed to help fund the new driveway being built in the East Parking lot. Kenny Kearns, representing the Draft Horse Show, wanted to make sure they were still OK with having their show during the fair. Steve Harpster and Jake McFadden moved to have a Draft Horse Show during the 2023 Hardin County Fair. Motion passed unanimously. Amanda Raines, 4-H Youth Development Director, requested the attendance of fair board directors at the 4-H Volunteer Kick off Training Feb. 16th, 6:30pm, with a makeup date being Feb. 18th, at 6:30pm. She also announced 2 State Awards are being given to two Hardin County residents. They will be presented at the Ohio 4-H Conference, March 11th. Kirk Cameron was present to state his intentions of requesting to be appointed as a Fair Board Director for 1 year.
Correspondence was read from Masen Jolliff.
Judi Cronley, Treasurer, stated W-2’s, 69 1099’s and the Hinkle Report has been finished and sent.
Charlie McCullough and Zach Rambo moved appoint Kirk Cameron as a director for 1 year. To represent Taylor Creek Twp. Motion passed unanimously.
A joint meeting for strategic and Development Committees will be set for later this month.
Rob Wilson, representing the Ground’s committee, stated paint quotes from Sherwin Williams have been received. Judi Cronley will submit a grant request to the Hardin County Community Foundation for the purchase of the paint. Rob stated the Sheriff’s Dept. is donating a pick up w/plow to the fairgrounds. Directors agreed to have the fireworks let off on the grounds, but the grounds will still be closed to the public. Viewing areas will not be on the grounds. It was noted there is updating being done in the sheep barn.
Judi Cronley, payment for camping this year is due by Friday, February 17th. About 25% of payments have been received.
Rob Wilson, representing the entertainment committee, stated a contract has been signed to have a Micro Wrestler Show on Thursday night of the fair. Contracts to have the Hardin County Tractor Pull Show on Friday night of the fair, having a magician show 3 times a day during the fair, having a glass blower doing demonstrations several times a day, having the Team Zoom Dog Show and having Bear Hollow Wood Carvers have all been signed.
There are still 2 livestock departments that need to turn in their updates for the fair book. Much discussion was held about a statement written in the latest Fair Newsletter about the grooming and fitting rule discussed at the OFMA convention. It was noted this is not a new rule and the Ohio Dept. of Ag. wants everyone to be aware of the rule 901-19-31. Exhibitors can receive assistance from ‘family’ members but should be limited to a demonstration or explanation. Jack McBride will get further clarification from the ODA about this rule for the next board meeting.
Brad Murphy, concession’s chairman, stated Contracts will be ready the middle of March. They will be done by email and on our website, like last year.
Sherri Beale, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated the JR Fair Board will be having their refreshments for sale during the Consignment Sale.
The fair book continues to be updated, with critiquing to begin in the next few weeks. It was noted Sponsorship Packets will be sent by email this week. Kolt Buchenroth will contact the Sherriff’s Dept. about security for the Consignment Sale. Discussion was held about the website. Directors agreed to have Pixel Fire Design redo the website and switch from an annual rate to a monthly rate. This company will make the needed updates to the website monthly at a rate of $130/mo. Directors agreed to have the Ag. Society Board President as the 2nd person on the Fair Foundation. That will be a permanent appointed position. Discussion was held about lump sums of money given to FFA, Home Ec. and now the High School Art Dept. for their premiums. Corey Ledley and Jack McBride moved to pay these groups $50 for 10-20 exhibits entered and over 20 exhibits entered, they would receive $100. Motion passed unanimously. These groups do not receive individual premiums. They will all still have to at least make one group entry for their organization by July 31st to at least receive $50.
Under old business:
The 35th Annual Consignment Sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 11th. Consignment Sale items can be dropped off at the fairgrounds Wednesday, March 8th from 4-6:30pm, Thursday, March 9th from 8-6:30pm and Friday, March 10th from 8-6:30pm. The Community Building will be used for the Sale Office again. Information on the sale can be found on our website. All commission rates have stayed the same.
Under new Business:
Contracts have been signed to have a working ATM on the fairgrounds during the fair and gate workers. The quarterly Fair Newsletter has been sent. Premium changes were discussed. Judi would like to pass out cash for JR Fair and Open Class premiums on Saturday of the fair from 1-4pm. They will be disbursed out of the grandstand ticket booth. You will need to sign for the premiums, like in the past. If premiums are not picked up on that Saturday of the fair, they will be available for pick up in the Fair Secretary Office during regular business hours until November 17th. If premiums are not picked up by that date, they become property of the Ag. Society. To make this change, Judi suggested not using change, so premiums needed to be adjusted. Directors agreed to adjust premiums, given as a suggestion by Judi. It was also noted the Fair Board has switched from using the on line entry system of Show Works to using Fair Entry System. The next Fair Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1st at 7pm in the Community Building.