Ag Society holds October board meeting

Topics include building project updates, the 2026 Junior Fair Livestock Sale results, fair attendance, and the director election on Wednesday, November 4.

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Sunday, October 11, 2026, for their October monthly board meeting, which was rescheduled due to a lack of quorum on Wednesday, Oct. 7th. There were 14 directors and 4 guests present.

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

Correspondence was read from Nancy & Staci Musselman, The Positive Horizons Group at Coleman Health Services, Weldon Rader, Judge Steve Christopher, and the Upper Scioto Valley Class of 1984.

Jake McFadden gave an update on the current building projects. Foundation work will continue this week for the livestock building project. The current 4-H/Machinery Building will start to be torn down this week, making way for the new Event Center. Minutes from the Special Board Meeting that was held on June 26th were approved. The meeting was held to discuss soil not being suitable for the building project. This issue has since been resolved. The next Development Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 7pm in the Fair Office.

It was noted the Executive Committee will be forming new committees soon.

Randy Clark, Ground’s Maintenance Supervisor, gave an update on happenings on the grounds. He stated the roof leak at his house has now been repaired. Everything has been stripped out of the Beef Rest Room, getting it ready to be torn down to make room for the new event center. Electric has been stripped out of the machinery building, to prepare it to be torn down. A new roof has been built for the Show Arena. Vehicles can now start to be stored in the Youth and Agricultural Building. $30 a month, minimum of $100. The last storage date is July 31, 2027. Inventory sheets for the buildings were given to directors to update by the next board meeting.

Charlie McCullough, Camping Chairman, stated a new transformer is needed in the Fair Camping area, since one was blown during the fair.

Judi Cronley discussed the Fair entertainment report from the fair. Attendance for the Royalty program and Band Show on Tuesday night of the fair was up in attendance. Harness Racing for 2 nights of the fair was down in attendance, but still comes out making money since there is money given to the fair to have harness racing. Friday night’s Hardin County Tractor Pull was just about the same as last year in attendance and profit. The Cheerleading Competition on Sunday afternoon of the fair was down in attendance, but was still profitable. Profit for rides was down from last year, but game income was about the same as last year.

The Annual Sale Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 6pm. Livestock Exhibitor Sale Checks can be picked up during Secretary Office Hours until Friday, Nov. 20th. About ½ of the livestock exhibitors picked up their checks yesterday, the first day they could pick them up. They can also be picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 9am to 6pm. And the checks need to be cashed by the end of November. Jack McBride, Sales Committee Chairman, gave the 2026 Hardin County JR Fair Livestock Sale Summary. This was the first year that the Add-on total for exhibitors, surpassed the total premium bid. Total add-ons was $272,240 and the total premium bid was $262,150. Market Price total was $112,031, making a grand total of $650,171, which was down about $50,000 from last year. There were 385 buyers and 396 sellers. 1 record was broken, it was the Champion Dairy Steer sold by Milee Seabrook for $4250, previous record was $3000. Sheep Committee Minutes from September 27th were approved. Goat Committee Meeting minutes from October 4th, were also approved.

Kirk Cameron, Rides/Concession’s Chairman, discussed the need to have Mark Schwemer draw up a letter to send to a vendor about their bounced check that was used to pay for their site. There is also another vendor that has not paid for their site as of yet. Placement of vendors and concessionaires was discussed, in regards to the new event center being built.

Under old business:

Petitions for the November Fair Board Director Election are due by Wednesday, Oct. 28th at 4pm. Up for election this year are: 2 directors at large for a 3 year term, Lynn Twp. for a 2 year term and Taylor Creek, Marion, McDonald, Cessna, and Blanchard Twp’s. for a 3 year term. Petitions can be picked up any time during Office Hours. Since no one seeking to be on the Fair Board Director Election attended this board meeting, there will be no new candidates running for any positions. $2 membership tickets can be purchased after a season ticket is purchased until Wednesday, Oct. 14th. JR Fair and Open Class premium money can still be picked up Wednesday and Fridays 9-4pm until Friday, Nov. 20th. Another extended hours date to pick up Open Class and JR Fair premiums, along with JR Fair Livestock Exhibitor Checks is Wednesday, Nov. 4th 9-6pm. Everyone was reminded about the Fall District meeting for this Thursday, Oct. 15th, at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.

Under new Business:

Jake McFadden discussed attendance for the week of the fair. All days were down in attendance, except for Saturday of the fair. Total attendance for the week of the fair was 33,290, compared to 39,245 last year. The Hardin County Ag. Society gave away 299 season tickets, 345 day passes and 149 parking passes. Judi stated she received word from Bob Wood, representing the Grange Restaurant, and he stated they will no longer be using the space at the fairgrounds. Kirk Cameron will be reaching out to organizations who have shown interest in using that space for their concessions. Everyone seemed happy with having the organizations from UNOH man the gates. They will be asked to come back next year. The Annual Election for Directors is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th from 2-6pm in the Fair Office. Meghan Yoakum volunteered to help with the Director Election with the Office Staff. Directors agreed to ask ODNR $100 to hook up their cooler trailer during their deer check-in dates that are Nov. 30/Dec. 1st, Dec. 5th/6th and Dec. 19th/20th from 11:30am – 8pm. Directors agreed to request the Ohio Dept. of Ag. for the 2027 Hardin County Fair to be held Tuesday, November 7th – Sunday, November 12th. Directors also agreed to request funds from the Ohio Dept. of Ag. for the 2027 Hardin County Fair. Rob Wilson and Steve Harpster moved to nominate Jake McFadden as the Fair’s 2026 Outstanding Fair Supporter. Andrew Scharf and Tyler Overly moved to close the nomination. The motion passed unanimously. Jake will receive this honor at the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture’s yearly meeting during the Ohio Fair Manager’s Convention in January. Jack McBride and Tyler Overly moved to propose a resolution for the Hardin County Agricultural Society to have alcoholic beverages at the Hardin County Fairgrounds during the off season (not during the fair). The motion passed unanimously. Directors agreed to pay Jamie Smith $200 a day (total of $2200) for his work during the Hardin County Fair. The motion passed with Charlie McCullough abstaining from the vote. The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 at 7pm (after the Ag. Society’s Annual and Re-organizational meetings) in the Community Building.