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The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, March 4, 2020, for their March board meeting. Twenty directors were present and fifteen guests were present.
Corey Ledley, Board President, called the meeting to order.
Doug and Kileen Payne’s family were present at the meeting to donate a wheelbarrow and 4 shop brooms to the swine barn. Fred Rush, Candidate running for Hardin County Commissioner, was present. Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources, encouraged everyone to attend the many livestock banquets that are being held this month. Roger Crowe, Hardin County Commissioner, expressed his thanks to the fair board and stated the commissioners are available for the board.
Under correspondence a thank you from Pastor Anita Van Buskirk, from the Bread of Life Food Pantry, was read – thanking the board for their donation of whole hog pork and sausage.
Brad Murphy, Vice President and Chairperson of the Executive Committee, stated the Executive Committee will meet this month to go over the strategic plan and then bring recommendations back to the board next month. Brad requested the strategic plan be emailed to all directors for them to review before the executive committee meets.
Craig Stump, chairman of the camping committee, stated there are 14 fair camping sites that will be available for this year’s fair. No money was received by 4 of those campers, so their campsites were given to one of the 50 on the waiting list. Waiting list campers will be called soon to fill those spots.
Rob Wilson, chairperson of the entertainment committee, stated he is currently working on getting a speaker and the music lined up for the Hour of Inspiration. Contracts were received today for the Hardin County Tractor Pull and Central Ohio Tractor Pull for Friday night of the fair.
The board moved to accept the swine committee’s recommendation for the 2020 Hardin County Fair Swine Show to be ractopamine-free. An affidavit will be required from the breeder and a second affidavit will be required from the exhibitor upon weigh in on Monday, Sept. 7th. More information regarding this can be found on the fair’s website at www.hardincountyfair.org/ractopamine. The board also agreed to ban the use of ractopamine on the entire grounds during the week of the fair.
Brad Murphy, chairperson of the concession dept., stated concession and vendor contracts will be mailed on March 20th.
Amanda Murphy, Jr. Fair Board Advisor, stated they will be having a speaker at their next meeting on Monday, March 23rd at 8pm. The speaker will be the 2017 NY FFA President. She also stated the members are currently signing up for committees.
Brad Murphy discussed with the board the meeting held with the Kenton Times about the Fair Book. Jake McFadden, advertising/Sponsorship Committee Chairperson, stated follow up calls were made to some sponsors who hadn’t responded by the March 1st deadline.
Jake McFadden, also discussed the upgrades needed for the fair’s laptops. He also stated he’s working on getting a radio rental contract for the 2020 fair.
It was noted the fair book is going through an edit right now and will be sent back to chair people for final revisions soon. Paul Ralston gave the 2019 Fair Foundation Report. As of 12/31/2019, there is a balance of $114,779.85 with interest (18.68%) earned in 2019 being $17,585.92. Total deposits for 2019 was $9,755.
Under old business:
The Fairground Annual Consignment Sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th, starting at 9am. Items to be consigned need to be dropped off on either Wednesday, March 11th, Thursday, March 12th or Friday, March 13th from 9am-5pm. Final request for anyone interested in attending the District 1 & 2 Spring Meeting was received.
Under new business: Judges for the Fair – in all areas – need to be submitted by the next board meeting – April 1st. Boats, trailers, and campers that are currently being stored for the winter, will be ready for pickup Saturday, April 11th. Reminder letters will be sent this month. The board agreed to pay the deposit to Classic Trophy and Engraving. The board moved to also have 2 display cases built. The next board meeting will be Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00pm in the Fair Office.