Fair board holds December meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, December 3, 2025, for their December monthly board meeting. 17 Directors and 5 guests were present.

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

Judi Cronley proposed the 2026 Budget and the reasons for increases and decreases and also discussed the financial report from the past month.

Justin Beale was sworn in as director for the vacant position in Lynn Township.

Directors were paid their $1 salary for the year.

Chris Widener, from WDC, discussed the building project estimate. The next step was to pay the Architectural and Engineering Fees of $483,538, Jack McBride, board vice president, stated the executive committee has come to the conclusion that the board can not move forward with the next step for financial reasons. The committee is now looking to scale back the project to just a poultry/rabbit barn and winter storage, while leaving the ability to add on in the future. Jack stated another development meeting will be set soon.

Amanda Raines, JR Fair Advisor stated JR Fairboard applications are now open for incoming freshman through seniors. Applications will close on December 19th.

Jack McBride discussed the minutes from the executive committee meeting held on 11/19/25. Committees were set for 2026 and distributed to everyone. Judi stated the website has also been updated with the committees. Rental rates were proposed with the following increases: Storage for boats, trailers, and campers from $15 per linear foot to $20 per linear foot. Small bleacher rental (the 60 seat bleachers) increased from $25 a day to $100 for the 1st day and $25 each day after. Renting the new 100 seat bleachers were set at $700 per day. Community Building rental for Friday – Sunday increased from $500 to $600, the Arts/Crafts building rental increased from $200 to $250, auction rentals in the Arts/Crafts Building were increased from $350 to $400 and Community Building commercial rental was increased from $400 to $500 a day. If people are interested in renting the Universal white folding chairs they will be $2.00 per day. Shelter House and gazebo rental were increased from $35 to $100 per day. The rental of the 2 race horse barns together was increased from $5300 to $7000. And the Pork Producer Building rental was increased from $200 to $300. Directors agreed to accept the executive committee minutes. Directors moved to give salaried employees a 3% raise. 2027 renters will be notified of the rate increases. The Code of Conduct was given to all directors and employees to sign. Abe Decker and Dan Beale moved to nominate Dave Kiper as the 2026 Fair Honoree. Craig Decker and Abe Decker moved to close nominations. The motions were passed unanimously. Meghan Yoakum will notify Dave of the nomination.

Rob Wilson, Ground’s committee chairman, gave the Ground’s Committee report. Rob went over the minutes of their last committee meeting on November 19th. The projects completed in 2025 were discussed, which were a lot. Projects for 2026 were discussed. The main highlights were new steps in the round house, installing lights in the 4-H horse barn, fixing a water drain on the west side of the machinery barn, trading in the lawn mower, changing infield lights, and rebuilding the transformer station. Rob and Abby McElfresh moved to trade in and purchase a new mower from Ritchey Auto Center/Pro Equipment. The motion passed unanimously. Directors agreed to rehire the same summer help and use LandTech to do the spraying in the non livestock buildings and use Silvercreek Supply to spray the grounds and barns for the fair. Abby McElfresh and Austin Eibling abstained from the vote.

Charlie McCullough, Camping Chairman, discussed the camping committee minutes from November 13th. Rows 400 and 500 will have electric redone this year at a cost of around $25,000. The committee also suggested fair camping rates to increase for all campers to $240 plus purchasing 2 season tickets at a total cost of $300. It was noted, if someone starts camping on the Friday before the fair and stays until the end of the fair, their nightly rate would be $27.00 a day. Directors accepted the camping committee’s recommendations.

Rob Wilson, Entertainment Chairman, discussed their minutes from December 3rd that included their budget.. Entertainment is set for 2026 with needing to get a few contracts signed. Directors accepted their minutes.

Many livestock committees met this past month, with only dairy beef feeders and dairy to still meet. All committee minutes were accepted by the directors. There are no rule changes for swine. The dog show rules will now mirror the dog state fair rules. The highlights from the Beef committee were recommending the open class beef entries raise from $10 to $25 to cover the cost of the show and the beef weigh-in to be scheduled for Saturday, December 27th from 8am-10am. Main highlights from the poultry committee were setting a poultry education day for April 11th. Two separate sessions will be planned. One for Market and one for Fancy. Adult Showmanship was cut from the show with the pee wee show being judged by the JR Fair Board. Market broiler minimum weight was changed from 4.5 lbs. to 5 lbs. and market turkey minimum weight was changed from 20 lbs. to 25 lbs. There were no changes to the Rabbit section of the fair. Amanda Raines discussed the need for members for the horse committee. The horse show will be going back to the championship model from the point system.

Jake McFadden, advertising/sponsorship committee chairman, discussed their committee minutes from November 19th. The sponsorship committee is looking for exclusive sponsors for the concert on Saturday night. Each high school band playing on Tuesday night of the fair will be sponsored, to allow the grandstand admission fee for that night as free. He then went over the proposed 2026 advertising budget. Directors agreed to accept their minutes.

Rob Wilson discussed the Fair Reverse Raffle to be held on Saturday, February 14th. The committee is working on getting donations until the middle of January. The deadline to pay for your ticket is December 15, 2025.

Under old business:

Judi reminded everyone to turn in their fair book edits for the 2026 fair book by the end of December.

Under new Business:

Judi discussed the Quest Credit Card points and Quest’s process of giving cash back rewards, which go directly into your account. They do have a credit card reward system that the current 81,000 points could be used towards. It was noted the secretary’s office will be closed from December 24th – January 1st, 2026. The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 7pm in the fair office.