by CrownRandall | Mar 5, 2025 | Agriculture
DARKE COUNTY – The Jr Leaders 4-H club is an opportunity for kids who are 13 years and older who yearn to grow in leadership and to better serve their community. Dedicated to building leaders by teaching valuable skills and community service opportunities, this is a fantastic opportunity for young people who want to grow in the 4-H community.
The Jr Leaders 4-H club is non-project-based, meaning anyone is welcome, with or without having projects signed up. The club is led by Mercedes McFarland, Blake Addis, GraceLynn Harter, and Katie Brown, all with an extensive background in 4-H, full of leadership, project-taking, and community service success. The advisors know how important it is to incorporate community service and leadership skills to 4-H youth projects, resume building, and their lives.
In this club, members will have the opportunity to impact their community by doing simple tasks. At the first meeting, members painted rocks that were hidden all over the Darke County Fairgrounds.
People of all ages were able to find these special rocks and were awarded a little 4-H token, inspiring that 4-H is all about curiosity.
In the next meeting, members got to play games like “Know your Fellow Leader”, games dedicated to getting to know each other better and to help inspire teamwork. Along with games, members filled and decorated lunch bags for First Responders and farmers, showing appreciation for all their hard work. After the meeting, members dropped off their bags to whom they decorated for.
This is just a start for the Jr Leaders 4-H Club. With more recognition and added members, this club can provide members numerous opportunities for community service and leadership skills that they can hold on to for the rest of their lives.
by CrownRandall | Mar 5, 2025 | Agriculture
DARKE COUNTY – On Sunday, the Trails and Tails 4-H Club attended the annual Darke County 4-H Kickoff event held at the Community Building. This exciting gathering celebrated the achievements and hard work of 4-H members, offering a chance for young individuals to showcase their dedication to personal growth, leadership, and community service.
The event was a proud moment for several members of the Trails and Tails 4-H Club, who received well-deserved awards for their outstanding contributions over the past year. The recognition not only highlights their commitment to the 4-H program but also encourages continued growth and excellence in future endeavors.
Awards and Recognition
Achievement Award: Olivia Elliott
Leadership Award: Sophia Hemmelgarn
Silver Premier 4-H Member: Sophia Hemmelgarn
Outstanding Secretary Book: Ruby Delk
Silver Premier 4-H Member: Ruby Delk
Achievement Award: Ruby Delk
Silver Premier 4-H Member: Bailey Foster
Outstanding Treasurer Book: Ashleigh Shepherd
Silver Premier 4-H Member: Olivia Elliott
Outstanding Historian Book: Caleb Elliott
Bronze Premier 4-H Member: Caleb Elliott
Leadership Award: Caleb Elliott
Outstanding Reporter Book: Summer Harter
Leadership Award: Bailey Foster
Achievement Award: Bailey Foster
Additionally, the Trails and Tails 4-H Club was proud to be recognized with the Gold Honor Club award for the third consecutive year. This prestigious honor is given to clubs that demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership, and community involvement. The achievement reflects the club’s consistent commitment to excellence in all aspects of 4-H activities.
The recognition of these exceptional 4-H members is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Whether in leadership roles, managing club responsibilities, or excelling in their record-keeping, these young individuals have truly set a high standard for others in the community.
The Trails and Tails 4-H Club is proud of each member’s achievements, and the club looks forward to continuing to inspire and support youth in their 4-H journey. The Darke County 4-H Kickoff event was a wonderful opportunity for members to come together, celebrate their successes, and set their sights on new goals for the coming year.
Interested in Joining?
If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Trails and Tails 4-H Club, please contact Madison Werner at 937-564-7250 or come to our next meeting on March 17th at 7 PM at the Youth Building. We’d love to have you join our dedicated and welcoming community of 4-H members!
As the year progresses, these award recipients will continue to make a lasting impact in their communities, demonstrating the power of youth leadership and commitment.
Congratulations to all the members of the Trails and Tails 4-H Club for their well-earned recognition!
by CrownRandall | Mar 3, 2025 | Agriculture
UNION CITY – The Mississinawa Valley MVCTC-FFA Chapter’s Treasurer, Secretary, and Reporter earned Gold on their 2024-25 officer books!
Emma Brock the Treasurer, Brennan Manning the Secretary, and Matalin Meyer the Reporter, had to individually create a book of their records. They each kept records from the 2024-25 school year and submitted their book to be evaluated. Emma had to keep the chapter’s financial records, including the chapter budget, membership records, receipts and bills, and overall balances. She then had to properly organize all her findings into her book. Brennan had to keep a record of chapter activities, meetings, and membership. He had to correctly organize the following information in his book: meeting, membership, officer, committee, and program information, along with the chapter’s constitution and by-laws, and a record of correspondence. Matalin had to keep a record of print media, digital media, and photographs from the past year. She had to properly format her book in chronological order, including the various forms of media, while being creative and visually appealing.
Once submitted, the officer’s books can earn Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Honorable Mention. Emma, Brennan, and Matalin all received a Gold rating on their books! These three will be recognized at the Ohio FFA State Convention in May. Congratulations, Emma, Brennan, and Matalin! Thank you for your dedication this past school year.
by CrownRandall | Mar 2, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – The Versailles FFA announced their second nine weeks point winners at the February FFA Meeting on February 20th.
To earn points, members participate in different activities through the chapter, such as Career Development Events and community service activities.
The point system is divided into a high school division, an 8th-grade division, and a capstone division. The winners in the high school division include: 1st place: Brooklyn Livingston, 2nd place: Monica Evers and 3rd place: Ruth Smith. The winners of the 8th grade division include: 1st place: Isabel Grisez, 2nd place: Frankie Broerman and 3rd place: Elizabeth Grieshop. The winners of the capstone division are as follows: 1st place: Josie Pothast, 2nd place: Jocelyn Mumaw, and 3rd place: Zac Bartram. The class period that had the highest average of points per person was Mrs. Wuebker’s 4th period class.
Congratulations to all the point winners and keep up the great work!
by CrownRandall | Mar 1, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – At the February 20th Versailles FFA Meeting and officer elections, three seniors were named Versailles FFA members of the month, and they include Zander Keller, Lincoln Winner and Allee Grimme.
Zander Keller is a senior and a 5-year member. He has participated in monthly meetings, trash pickup, fall harvest sale, farm day, national convention, fruit sales, omelet breakfast, soup and sandwich social, ag is cool tent, PALS, shop and crop, and more. He has earned his state degree, competed and found success in state wildlife and was on the first ag mechanical engineering team. Zander is the son of Josh and Diane Keller. Zander received a t-shirt and a certificate. Congratulations to our first member of the month, Zander Keller.
Lincoln Winner is a senior and 5-year member. He has participated in the monthly meetings, canned food and toy drives, fruit sales, leadership night, exhibits at the fair, shop and crop, farm day, state convention, eagles breakfast, CDE luncheon, and more. He has earned his state degree and has found success at county fairs, invitational, and state general livestock shows. Lincoln is the son of Brian and Lisa Winner. Lincoln received a t-shirt and a certificate. Congratulations Lincoln!
Allee Grimme is our third member and final member of the month for February is a senior and 5-year member. She has participated in monthly meetings, leadership night, college career fair, national convention, buyer appreciation breakfast, trash pick up, omelet breakfast, eagles breakfast, soup and sandwich social, canned food drive, fruit sales and fruit load out, feed the farmer, ag is cool tent, farm day, and more. She will earn her state degree at the state convention in May, and she has found success in invitation and state general livestock. Allee is the daughter of Heidi Grimme. Allee received a t-shirt and a certificate. Congratulations to our final member of the month Allee!
by CrownRandall | Mar 1, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. While we haven’t reached spring, you can tell it is approaching due to the more comfortable temperatures and precipitation (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). Weather will again be a big topic in this week’s Newsletter, with subjects including caring for livestock at this time of year and how the winter months can impact plants in your landscape.
HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region continues to be an important topic. The number of cases has continued to grow since late last year when the first outbreak was confirmed. Nearby counties, particularly Mercer, but now including Van Wert and Auglaize, have confirmed cases as well. Proper biosecurity measures are essential. Avoiding unnecessary contact with poultry, using footbaths and disposable boots, and proper sanitation of people and equipment are important practices. Other biosecurity measures, as well as the latest numbers of Bird Flu, can be tracked at the ODA website: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai/01-poultry.
I will be at Greenville Public Library on March 6th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss Seed Starting as part of their seed swap program. Here, we will the practice of starting your own seeds for your garden, best practices and equipment, transplanting, and more. I hope to see you there!
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be March 21st at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Caring for Livestock in Late Winter and Early Spring
Cattle Market Update
Estate Taxes on the Farm
Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle
Keeping Cattle Fit
Winter’s Impact on Plants
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
