The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, December 5, 2018, for their December board meeting.  Seventeen directors were present and ten guests were present.

Corey Ledley, President, called the meeting to order.

Doug Crawford, from the Hardin County Horse Shoe Pitchers, voiced his concern over the $150 monthly rental charge his group needs to pay to pitch horseshoes at the fairgrounds now.

Chris Rogers, from Shane’s Shirts, expressed his interest in making items for the fair.

Mark Light, OSU Extension Agent, thanked the board for their levee support and letters about the steer weigh in have been mailed.

Thank you’s were read under correspondence.

The executive committee meeting minutes from November 13th were approved.  The board decided on Wednesday, Dec. 26th as the Holiday Dinner/January Meeting date.  The dinner will be at 6pm at the Plaza Rest. Reservations need to be to Judi Cronley by Friday, December 14th.  The 2019 proposed budget was approved.  The 2019 code of conduct was distributed and signed by all board members and employees.  The board voted on 3 new members to the executive committee, replacing those going off of the committee.  Rob Wilson, Craig Stump and Dale Cockerell were selected as the 3 members, with Rob and Craig on for 2 years and Dale on for one year.  The board moved to keep the rental rates for 2019 the same as 2018.

Corey Ledley called the meeting into executive session at 7:40pm to discuss the 3 Goshen Twp. individuals seeking to be nominated to the board for one year.

Jack McBride and Mark Garmon called the regular board meeting back into session at 7:45pm.

The board chose Nancy Rickenbacher to be nominated as the Goshen Twp. Director for one year.  Judi Cronley, notarizer, swore Nancy in as director for one year.

Kelly Buchenroth, chairperson of the ground’s committee, stated there are 26 campers and 12 cars being stored for the winter.  Other grounds projects were discussed.

An offer to use the arts/crafts building and grounds to the Good Sam’s group for a staff meeting from April 15-17th was approved.

An update was given on the insurance claim for the canceled concert.  The money was not received in time, to fall in the correct fiscal year, but the money was approved by the insurance company and should arrive by a check in the next 7 days.

Judi Cronley stated that there are still 35 JR fair livestock exhibitors, 23 families, which need to cash their premium checks from the 2018 Hardin County Fair.  Those need to be cashed by the middle of January. Dale Cockerell noted the steer weigh-in is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 29th from 8am-10am.  Don Spar stated the Jr Fair Livestock Sale Committee and Livestock Committee Meetings will be Wednesday, January 16th – starting at 6:30pm.

It was noted an advertising/sponsorship committee meeting needs to be scheduled to discuss the sponsorship packet and get it distributed.  Technology is also being added to the advertising /sponsorship committee.

Nancy Rickenbacher, Jr. Fair Board Director, stated the 2019 Jr. Fair board members are being selected.

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, November 7, 2018, for their November board meeting.  Nineteen directors were present and seven guests were present.

Corey Ledley, President, called the meeting to order.

Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Agent, asked if the board would be interested in finding a place to hang the Ag. Hall of Fame pictures – there are currently around 50 and that number grows by around 4 each year.

A thank you was read under correspondence.  

An Executive Committee Meeting date was set for November 13th at 6:30 pm to discuss the 2019 budget, bonuses, and contracts.  It was noted a new executive committee will be selected at the December board meeting.  Someone for Howard Lyle’s remaining 1 year and Kelly Buchenroth’s 2-year position will be filled.  Paul Ralston was selected as the board’s delegate for the OFMA annual meeting during the OFMA convention in January.  Don Spar was nominated as the alternate delegate.

Kelly Buchenroth, chairperson of the ground’s committee, stated there is only winter storage available for one big camper, etc. and several small spots under 10’ tall.  The contract for the Mid Ohio Classic Scooter Club was discussed. They will be renting the fairgrounds from May 15-18th, 2019.  The board moved to offer the horseshoe pitching group a price of $150 a month to pitch through the summer months.  The office and arts/crafts building are going to be rekeyed. Dale Cockerell is looking into a project in the beef barn for the memorial money from Tom Kritzler.  The EMT’s are going to be offered a site on the fairgrounds to build their building on. The Ag. Society has never paid for an organization’s building to be built.

An update was given on the insurance claim for the canceled concert.  Rob Wilson stated he is looking into having KOI drag racing for Wednesday night of the fair next year.

Judi Cronley stated that all livestock exhibitor checks have been mailed.  

Janie Seiler, chairperson of the rides/concession’s dept., stated Oakridge Realty still has their building at the fairgrounds and will be sending them an invoice for rent.  They have been called several times to remove it, with no action taken.

The Junior Fair Affidavit report needed by the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture was approved.  It stated there was over $7,000 in premium money paid to Jr. Fair exhibitors.

It was noted there is a need to have an admission/gates committee meeting to discuss options for gate workers during the fair.  There were 2 groups during the week that didn’t really work out well and new help needs to be researched.

Under old business:

The board was reminded about the district meeting at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds, scheduled for November 8th.  

Under new business:

The board moved to request the 2019 Hardin County Fair be Tuesday, Sept. 3rd through Sunday, Sept. 8th.  A quote from Signs Ohio for a digital sign at the front of the fairgrounds was discussed.  It was noted other quotes need to be obtained. The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, December 5th at 7:00 pm in the Fair Office.

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met on Saturday, November 3rd with Craig Stump, Acting President, presiding.  

Craig Stump reported the election results:  

• Buck Township:  Jason Fulton
• Dudley Township:  Brad Murphy
• Lynn Township:  Paul Ralston
• Pleasant Township:  Christa Rarey
• Roundhead Township:  Steve Harpster
• Washington Township:  Craig Stump
• Director at Large for one year:  Dale Cockerell
• Top 2 At-Large Director winners:  Justin Beale and Andrew Scharf

All directors present were sworn into office by Judi Cronley, notarizer.

With 40 members paid for 2019, the election of officers was held.  Dale Cockerell moved to nominate Corey Ledley for President and Andrew Scharf seconded the motion.  Charlie McCullough moved to close the nominations, with Jack McBride seconding that motion. Motion passed.  Rob Wilson moved to nominate Brad Murphy for Vice President and Charlie McCullough seconded the motion. Rob Wilson moved to close the nominations with Mark Garmon seconding that motion.  Motion passed. Therefore Corey Ledley is the Board’s President and Brad Murphy is the Vice President.

Paul Ralston and Jason Fulton moved to keep the regular board meeting date and time the first Wednesday night of each month at 7pm.  Motion passed.

Mark Garmon moved to adjourn the meeting and Charlie McCullough seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Directors for the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year:

1. Kelly Buchenroth – Taylor Creek
2. Carlie McCullough – Director-at-Large
3. Craig Decker – Marion
4. Dale Cockerell – Director-at-Large
5. Jason Fulton – Buck
6. Mark Garmon – Jackson
7. Paul Ralston – Lynn
8. Justin Beale – Director-at-Large
9. Corey Ledley – Director-at-Large
10. Steve Harpster – Roundhead
11. Jack McBride – Cessna
12. Christa Rarey – Pleasant
13. Jeff Morris – Director-at-Large
14. Andrew Scharf – Director-at-Large
15. Vacant – Goshen
16. Janie Seiler – Hale
17. Don Spar – Liberty
18. Craig Stump – Washington
19. Rob Wilson – Blanchard
20. Brad Murphy – Dudley
21. Dan Beale – McDonald

The Hardin County Agricultural society met with President, Craig Stump presiding.  18 directors along with 13 Hardin County Agricultural Society members present.

The minutes of last year’s annual meeting were read.  Paul Ralston moved they be approved as read. Charlie McCullough seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Dale Cockerell moved the price of a membership and season ticket be set at $20.00, the same as last year.  Jack McBride seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Paul Ralston and Justin Beale moved to have the Director’s pay set at an annual price of $2.00.  Jack McBride and Jason Fulton amended the motion to be $1 for the Director’s Pay. Motion passed.

The annual conflict of interest document for 2018/19 was given to every director and signed by all directors in attendance.  

Brad Murphy, representing the executive committee, proposed some constitution changes.  Paul Ralston and Jason Fulton moved to change the constitution to state “when a Township has less than 20 Society members, at which time the minimum number of signatures required for that township would be 50% of the total number of Society members who are residents of the township they would represent if elected”.  Motion passed. Paul Ralston and Andrew Scharf moved to add “Candidates filing a petition for the position of director must attend one Board meeting, and accumulate a total of eight volunteer work hours toward the Board, prior to the election and in the same calendar year as the election, before being placed on the official ballot.”  This motion failed by one vote. Paul Ralston and Mark Garmon moved to add “A vacancy filled by the board may include a member from a township where there are already three active directors, provided Section 9 of Article V cannot be met.” Motion passed.

Judi Cronley will file an updated copy of the constitution with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  

Next year’s annual meeting, with the annual election to be held on the same day from 3-7pm, will be on Nov. 2nd, 2019.  

Dale Cockerell moved to adjourn and Dan Beale seconded the motion.  Motion carried.