Like many community members throughout Morrow County, 4-H and FFA members patiently wait all summer for the opening of the Morrow County Fair. They work with their projects all summer to make sure that they are the best that they can be for this great exposition of our county’s youth and agriculture industry. The county fair is a special week for so many — it is a gathering of good people doing good things together.

This year was no different. Eighty-seven Cardington FFA members were proud to exhibit their projects and hard work at the fairgrounds from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2. These ranged from still projects and crops to livestock of all sizes. Isabelle Hess and Ava Davis, Cardington FFA officers, assembled a booth alongside the other FFA chapters across Morrow County to highlight our organization, accomplishments and activities.

Throughout the week, FFA members volunteered with the Morrow County Pork Producers, Morrow County Cattleman Association, and with Gary Stevens at his grandstand booth. Aaron Howard was also able to shadow Leann Gompf Photography and help capture special moments around the fair. Several members were involved in mentoring younger exhibitors through the Lamb Youth Lead In, various peewee showmanship classes, and by building their show confidence in the barn. The county fair is a place where everyone can come together to build each other up and cheer each other on.

We are very proud of four of our FFA members who serve on the Morrow County Junior Fair Board: Miranda Kintz, Keely Pearl, Emma Davis and Makenzie Keifer. This board meets and works year round to plan, prepare, and host the junior fair activities. Miss Wollett, Cardington FFA advisor, also serves as an advisor to the Junior Fair Board.

On Friday of the fair, the Jack Allen Memorial Class took place during the Market Rabbit Show to honor FFA Alumni Jack Allen, who was tragically killed in a car accident this summer. His cousins were able to exhibit his rabbits posthumously while his mother, Amanda, joined in for a tribute and moment of silence to honor his memory. A scholarship fund has been established in his honor.

On Labor Day, our members were able to conclude the week with the Junior Fair Sale. We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Morrow County Sale Committee as well as all of the local businesses and community members who came out to support our youth and their 4-H and FFA projects. Your support of our local youth organizations means so much to all of us!

We cannot extend enough thanks to the Senior Fair Board, Junior Fair Board, our Morrow County Commissioners, and all volunteers who work tirelessly to give us the opportunities at the fair.

Fair highlights of Cardington FFA members include:

• Emma Davis exhibited the Grand Champion Beef Feeder and raised the Grand Champion Bred & Raised Heifer and the Reserve Champion BBR Breeding Heifer. (Bonus – they were both born and raised on her farm!) She also exhibited the Grand Champion Forage Project.

• Victoria Kovacs exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb.

• Mason Powell exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer.

• Jill Bertke was the Grand Champion Senior Contesting High Point Equestrian, Grand Champion Contesting Versatility Equestrian and Grand Champion Senior Freestyle Reining Equestrian.

• Miranda Kintz was awarded the Senior Equestrian Champion Project.

• Bryce Hartley exhibited the Champion Southdown Market Lamb.

• Jyllian Hough raised the Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Rabbits.

• Miranda Kintz exhibited the Reserve Best of Show Dog, Reserve Ground Roping Champion, Grand Champion Welding Project and Reserve Champion Forage Project. She was also the Champion Dog Showman, Runner-Up for Fair Queen, Senior Rabbit Ambassador, 3rd Overall High Point Ranch Pleasure Equestrian, 4th Overall High Point Small Horse Equestrian, 4th Overall High Point English Equestrian and 4th Overall High Point Pleasure Versatility Equestrian.

• Mason Newsome raised the Grand Champion Breeding Boer Goat, Reserve Champion Breeding Boer Goat and Reserve Breed Champion Utility Goat. Newsome was also the 3rd Overall Pygmy Goat Showman.

• Dylan Compton raised the 5th Overall Market Ducks and was the 5th Place Intermediate Poultry Showman.

• Christopher Kinsey was Reserve Senior Market Goat Showman.

• Silas Beall was the Reserve Intermediate Poultry Showman.

• Madison Caulkins was the 3rd Overall Senior Rabbit Showman.

• Danny Townsend was the 4th Overall Senior Rabbit Showman.

• Sage Whetnall was 2nd Overall Open Reining Equestrian.

• Megan Gardner exhibited the Champion Corn Project and Champion Vegetable Gardening Project.

• Wyatt Wade exhibited the Reserve Champion Vegetable Gardening Project.

• Keely Pearl exhibited the Reserve Champion Welding Project.

• Journey Williamson exhibited the Reserve Champion Medium Woodworking Project.

• Megan Gardner exhibited the Grand Champion Bedding Plant Project.

• Madison Dornon exhibited the Reserve Champion Bedding Plant Project.

• Kaylee Casteel exhibited the Grand Champion Mixed Shop Skills Project.

• Celia Hall exhibited the Reserve Champion Mixed Shop Skills Project.

Submitted by Erin Wollett.