Jr. Fair participants honored at celebration

2024 Darke County Fair Celebration of Achievement Highlights

GREENVILLE — More than 350 junior fair supporters, youth, parents, and volunteers attended the first-ever Celebration of Achievement on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the cattle arena sponsored by the Darke County Junior Fair. Highlights of the evening were selling the 19 grand and reserve grand champions and the recognition of youth from across the fairgrounds. More than $42,650.00 was raised in the first-ever combined live auction.

The grand champion lamb was exhibited by London Reichert, the daughter of Henry and Jodi Reichert, and was purchased by SISCO for $4,500. The reserve grand champion market lamb was also exhibited by London Reichert, the daughter of Henry and Jodi Reichert, and was purchased by Dave Knapp Ford, Lincoln for $2,200.

The grand champion boer goat was exhibited by Lilia Deem, the daughter of Bethany Hunt, and was purchased by Graves-Fearon Insurance Agency for $1,600. The reserve grand champion boer goat was exhibited by Alexa Light, the daughter of Abby Light and David Light, and was purchased by Sunrise Co-op of Osgood for $900. The grand champion dairy wether was exhibited by Ameila Price, the daughter of Tony and Geneva Price, and was purchased by Dave Knapp Ford, Lincoln for $1,500. The reserve grand champion dairy wether was exhibited by Addyson Yount, the daughter of Stacy Yount, and was purchased by Denlinger Home Solutions for $400.

The grand champion single rabbit was exhibited by Emily Thomas, the daughter of Kory and Abby Thomas, and was purchased by WACO Warehouse for $1,000. The reserve champion single rabbit was exhibited by Leah Clark, the daughter of Rick and Emily Clark, and purchased by SISCO for $1,600. The grand champion pen of three rabbits was exhibited by Chloe Hoying, the daughter of Jake and Tracie Hoying, and was purchased by Dave Knapp Tire Warehouse for $900. The reserve grand champion pen of three rabbits was exhibited by Emily Thomas, the daughter of Kory and Abby Thomas, and was purchased by Phelan Insurance – David Coons for $700.

The grand champion overall meat poultry project was exhibited by Blake Addis, the son of Larry and Amy Addis, and was purchased by Cooper Farms for $1,200. The reserve grand champion overall meat entry was exhibited by Evan Addis, the son of Larry and Amy Addis, and was purchased by First Choice Realty – Tyler Greer for $800.

The grand champion market hog was exhibited by Troy Lavy, the son of Jake and Jessica Lavy, and was purchased by Graves-Fearon Insurance Agency for $4,000. The reserve grand champion market hog was shown by Kenna Wilcox, the daughter of Kerby and Beth Wilcox, and was purchased by Dave Knapp Ford, Lincoln and SISCO for $2,250.

The grand champion dairy steer was exhibited by Ethan Heitkamp, the son of Matt and Kendra Heitkamp, and was purchased by Cooper Farms and Sunrise Co-op of Osgood for $1,500. The reserve grand champion market steer was exhibited by Sadie Heitkamp, the daughter of Matt and Kendra Heitkmap, and was purchased by Premier Crop Insurance for $1,600. The supreme champion dairy cow was exhibited by Lane Francis, the son of Ryan and Tabitha Francis, and was purchased by Bruns Animal Clinic for $1,000.

The grand champion beef steer was exhibited by Lincoln Winner, the son of Brian and Lisa Winner, and was purchased by M.H. Eby Inc. and Midwest Crop Care for $11,000. The reserve champion market beef was exhibited by Lance Brinksneader, the son of Jason Brinksneader and Janelle Bell, and was purchased by Graves-Fearon Insurance Agency for $4,000.

The Celebration of Achievement started with a welcome from the master of ceremony, Sam Custer, followed by the singing of the National anthem by Andrew Wuebker, Junior Fair Dairy Department exhibitor and Kaitlyn Tollefson, Junior Fair Poultry Department exhibitor. Colin Batten, the 2024 Darke County Fair King, Sophia Aultman, the 2024 Darke County Fair Queen, and Jayden Hicks the 2024 President of the Darke County Junior Fairboard welcomed everyone to the event and thanked all the Junior Fair exhibitors for their hours of dedication to get to this this level. Vickie Willcox of the Jr Fair Sale Committee explained the new format of the live auction and online sale process.

Gail and Josh Overholser of SISCO presented the Ben Overholser Memorial Scholarships to Daniel Hartzell and Colin Batten. Batten will be a senior at Versailles High School and is the son of Suzanne Batten. Hartzell will be a senior at Mississinawa Valley High School and is the son of Joe and Carmen Hartzell. Both Batten and Hartzell each received a $5,000 scholarship. Thank you to the Ben Overholser Memorial Scholarship for this opportunity and continued support of the youth of Darke County.

Darke County OSU Extension 4-H Educator, Mercedes McFarland, introduced the Outstanding 4-H Boy and Girl. Congratulations to Blake Addis, the son of Larry and Amy Addis who was announced as the 2024 Darke County 4-H Outstanding Boy and Sophia Aultman, the daughter of Matt and Morgan Aultman who was announced as the 2024 Darke County 4-H Outstanding Girl. Thanks to Kyle Homan of Homan Insurance who sponsored these two awards at the Celebration of Achievement.

The Darke County FFA Chapters recognized the outstanding shop, crop, and horticulture projects. The Grand Champion Horticulture project was exhibited by Julia Yohey of the Greenville FFA Chapter and the trophy was sponsored by Keller Grain. The Reserve Grand Champion Horticulture project was exhibited by Evan Addis of the Franklin Monroe FFA Chapter and the trophy was sponsored by Richard Baker. The Grand Champion Crop project was exhibited by Sophia Aultman of the Ansonia FFA Chapter and the trophy sponsored by Keller Grain. The Reserve Grand Champion Crop project was exhibited by McKinley Stachler of the Mississinawa Valley FFA Chapter and the trophy sponsored by Jed Smith Farms. The Grand Champion Shop project was exhibited by Matthew Denlinger of the Arcanum FFA Chapter and the trophy was sponsored by Alan and Sarah Wuebker. The Reserve Grand Champion Shop project was exhibited by Brandyn Heitkamp of the Versailles FFA Chapter and the trophy was sponsored by Hupman Lawncare and Landscaping.

During the fair, the local FFA chapters hosted dairy judging and general livestock judging contests, and those individuals and teams were recognized at the Celebration of Achievement. Farm Credit Mid-America, represented by Ryan Langenkamp and Amy Hayes, was the major sponsor of both events. The dairy judges that were recognized included the first place team for the senior division was Darke County Holstein 4-H Club, represented by Ethan Heitkamp, Allison Francis, Lane Francis, and Jena Heitkamp they were all presented with gifts from Farm Credit and a trophy from Versailles FFA and Versailles FFA Alumni. The 1st place individual in senior dairy judging was Ethan Heitkamp and he was presented an engraved Western Belt Buckle sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America represented by Ryan Langenkamp and a trophy sponsored by Jeff and Dena Wuebker. The second place individual in senior dairy judging was Charlie Weiss and he received a trophy sponsored by Wuebker Farms. The third place individual in senior dairy judging was Lane Francis and he received a trophy sponsored by Alan and Sarah Wuebker. The first place team winning the Jr Division of dairy judging was Darke County Holstein 4-H Club and was represented by Callum Francis, Samuel Henry, and Abram Dirksen. They were all presented with gifts from Farm Credit Mid-America and a trophy from Don and Diane Delaplane. The first place individual in junior dairy judging was Callum Francis and he was presented an engraved Western Belt Buckle sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America represented by Ryan Langenkamp and Amy Hayes, and the 1st place trophy sponsored by Kevin Flory Landscaping and Lawncare. The second place individual in junior dairy judging was Samuel Henry and the third place individual in junior dairy judging was Jackson Langenkamp. They both received a plaque sponsored by Thomas Shaw and Family.

In addition to dairy judging, more than 100 youth from Darke County participated in General Livestock judging on Friday. We were pleased to have Farm Credit Mid-America as a major sponsor for this event who was represented by Ryan Langenkamp and Amy Hayes. The 1st place team for the Senior Division general livestock judging was Darke County Livestock 4-H Club. They were represented by Seth Fearon, Haley Haines, Charlie Weiss, and Lance Brinksneader. They received special gifts from Farm Credit Mid America and a trophy sponsored by Darke County Township Association. The 1st place individual in senior general livestock was Seth Fearon. Seth was presented an engraved Western Belt Buckle sponsored by Farm Credit Service Mid America and a trophy sponsored by Kevin Flory Landscaping and Lawn Care. The 2nd place individual in senior general livestock was Harley Hanes. She was presented with a trophy from Park National Bank. The third place individual in senior general livestock was Alexa Light. She was presented with a trophy from Ansonia FFA Alumni. The first place team for the Jr. Division of general livestock judging was Darke County Cattle Girls. They were represented by Sarah Bergman, Anna Barga, Ruth Bergman, and Allison Horst. They were presented with gifts from Farm Credit and a trophy. The 1st place individual in junior general livestock was Claire Bergman. Claire was presented an engraved Western Belt Buckle sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and a trophy sponsored by Kevin Flory Landscaping & Lawn Care. The second place individual in junior general livestock was Hunter Burns. He received a trophy sponsored by Park National Bank. The 3rd place individual in junior general livestock was Kate Hartzel. She received a trophy sponsored by Ansonia FFA Alumni.

The 2024 Darke County Junior Fair Showman of Showman for each livestock species was recognized and the announcement occurred at the Celebration of Achievement. The showman of showman included: Representing Beef-Lance Brinksneader, Representing Dogs-Asa DeMange, Representing Dairy-Adrina Davenport, Representing Dairy Goats,-Danicka Micheal, Representing Boer Market Goats-Alexa Light, Representing Horses-Shelby Spradlin, Representing Poultry-Cassady Seubert, Representing Rabbits-Levi Grillot, Representing Sheep-London Reichert and representing Swine-Seth Fearon. The top five in the Showman of Showman contest included: fifth place Cassady Seubert, fourth place Adrina Davenport, third place Lance Brinksneader, second place London Reichert and the overall 2024 Darke County Junior Fair Showman of Showman was Alexa Light. They would like to thank showman of showman contest sponsor Darke Rural Electric for donating the top five placings with an aluminum show box, additional sponsors included: Merchants Bank of America, Mikesell Show Pigs, Park National Bank, Farm Credit Mid-American, and Bill Sherry Excavating.

Also at the Celebration of Achievement, each one of the barns recognized their scholarship winners and outstanding exhibitors. In the junior fair dog department, they recognized their outstanding exhibitors. Asa DeMange was recognized for placing first overall. Second overall Katelyn Bernholt and third overall Bailey Hayworth.

The junior fair horse committee recognized Ava Gosnell as the overall high point award winner and Torie Richards as the reserve overall high point award winner.

The Darke County Jr Fair Sheep Committee scholarship recipients included: Aaron Hummel, Adi Schmitz, Landon Perry, and Naomi Evans. The Darke County Jr Fair Sheep Committee also recognized their outstanding exhibitors and the overall outstanding market exhibitor in the sheep barn for the juniors was Hadley Hanes. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the sheep barn for the intermediates was London Reichert. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the sheep barn for the seniors was Paige Gehret.

The Darke County Jr Fair Goat Committee presented their scholarship to Amelia Price. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the junior division was Abby Yount. The reserve outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the junior division was Zoe Sturgill. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the intermediate division was Adrina Davenport. The reserve outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the intermediate division was Wriley Mullins. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the senior division was Alexa Light. The reserve outstanding market exhibitor in the goat for the senior division was Eden Barga.

The Darke County Jr Fair Rabbit Committee announced their outstanding exhibitors. First in the junior division of the rabbit department was Emily Thomas. First in the intermediate division of the rabbit was Elle DeMange. The senior division 1st place was Lexie Osterloh.

The Darke Jr Fair Poultry Barn presented two $1000.00 scholarships to Hannah Kendig and Adi Schmitz. The market poultry outstanding exhibitor was Willis Shiverdecker placing 1st overall in the junior division. Grant Moore was recognized as the intermediate overall outstanding market exhibitor. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the senior division of the poultry barn was Blake Addis and Blake and was named the overall outstanding exhibitor in the market poultry.

The Darke County Jr Fair Swine Committee presented their swine barn scholarships to Jayden Hollinger, Joanie Hall, Bryson Gower and Kiersten Wilcox. The overall outstanding market exhibitor in the swine barn was Seth Fearon.

The Darke County Jr Fair Dairy Committee presented their leadership award to Andrew Wuebker. The overall outstanding exhibitor for market dairy was Shawna Schmitmeyer and the overall outstanding exhibitor for breeding dairy was Lane Francis.

The Darke County Jr Fair Beef Committee recognized their outstanding exhibitors. The winner of the Beginner Division was Ruth Bergman. The winner of the feeder calf division was Paige Gehret. The winner of the junior market division was Sarah Bergman. The winner of the intermediate market division was Lance Brinksneader. The winner of the senior market division was Lincoln Winner. The winner of the junior breeding division was Rylee Judy. The winner of the intermediate breeding division was Kaitlyn Barga. The winner of the senior breeding division was Addison Marker.

The Darke County Jr Fair Sale Committee wishes to thank all the supporters and buyers of the live auction. Thank you to Brett Yingst and Bill Roll who served as the auctioneers and Sam Custer who served as the master of ceremonies. The sale committee would also like to recognize Dannon Yogurt, Steve Beam Dairy, Mary Bergman, and Courageous Creations-Racheal Fearon for assisting with/donating to the Celebration of Achievement.