Fair ready: Local ag groups prep for a busy summer season

Jul 20, 2023

Clip Clop Clovers show a craft they recently made. Pictured is, front row from left, Hunter Chaffee, Alexis Eads, Lizzie Chaffee and her service dog Forste, and Sadie Farmer; back row from left, Owen Eads, Ryan Eads, Hallie Farmer and Hannah Eads.

Submitted photo

Editor's note: Hancock County's local agricultural community is busy with summer activities and preparing for the fair. Here's a look at local club news and farm-related events coming up.

Fair coming up this month

GREENFIELD – The Hancock County 4-H Fair is coming up June 23-30 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, 620 Apple St., Greenfield.

The fair features free parking and admission, free concerts every night, and plenty of 4-H animal shows. The exhibit hall is open daily with projects of local students, and food stands, a carnival and commercial vendors will be open daily. The Hancock County 4-H Fair Parade is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24. For updates and a schedule, visit yourhancockfairgrounds.com/4-h-fair.

Horse & Pony club practicing for fair

GREENFIELD – The Hancock County 4-H Horse & Pony Contesting Club is meeting regularly, and May 22 had demonstration topics on barrel racing, pole bending, flag racing and speed an action. Participants learned proper techniques, and also a health and safety topic on drinking water and staying hydrated.

The 4-H Horse and Pony Show conesting class will compete during the Hancock County Fair at 6:30 p.m. June 23 at the multi-purpose arena of the Hancock County Fairgrounds. The 4-H Horse & Pony Show is at 9 a.m. June 24 at multi-purpose arena.

Clip-Clop Clovers plan projects together

GREENFIELD – The Clip-Clop Clover 4-H Club meets once a month at St. James Lutheran Church and has been busy working on 4-H projects and planning a completing party.

At a recent meeting, the group made plans for a parade float. Service projects this year are collecting aluminum cans for the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen; food for the Hancock County Food Pantry; plastic sacks for mats for the homeless; aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House; the lemonade stand at the fair; and making crafts for nursing home trays.

Officers this year are Hunter Chaffee and Hannah Eads, co-presidents; Ryan Eads and Owen Eads, co-vice presidents; Lizzie Chaffee and Alexis Eads, community service; Alexis Eads and Hallie Farmer, secretaries; Lizzie Chaffee, treasurer; Hallie and Sadie Farmer, health and safety officers; Owen and Ryan Eads, science leaders; Alexis Eads and Joseph Shininger, inspirational leaders; Lizzie Chaffee, Owen and Ryan Eads and Hallie and Sadie Farmer, recreation leaders; Ryan and Owen Eads and Hallie and Sadie Farmer, welcome team. Club leaders are Megan Bell, Joannie Bowen and Linda Petty.

The group's next meeting is June 11.

Cool Clovers prep for upcoming fair

MOHAWK – The Cool Clovers 4-H Club met May 21 and had several demonstrations.

Demonstrations included car safety by Ainsley Martin; how to make a cowboy toothpick by Ryan Cain; how to braid hair by Ella Davis; how to check a car's oil by Jackson Cain; and how to launch a rocket by Sean Kelly. Also discussed were project due dates, 4-H camp and exhibit hall set-up.

Thirteen members were present; presiding member was Sean Kelly, pledge leaders were Allyssa Cain and Loralye Deutsch. Club leaders are Laura Phares, Beth Deutsch, Sarah Kelly and Lucinda Blair. Devon Kelly led a game of ball tag; Laura Phares provided refreshments and Victoria Deutsch was club reporter. The group will meet again at 4 p.m. June 11 at Mohawk United Methodist Church.

Wickard joins broadcast team as intern

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Jordyn Wickard has joined the Hoosier Ag Today broadcast team as an intern.

Wickard, a graduate of Eastern Hancock High School, is a former Indiana FFA state officer. The internship is made possible by a grant from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation. She will work with a broadcast team on coverage of Indiana agriculture.

Garden to Table event coming up this month

HANCOCK COUNTY – Adults in Hancock County are invited to join a free "Garden to Table" class at both branches of the Hancock County Public Library.

Culinary Adventures with Pam will demonstrate recipes using fresh vegetables, including salsa; as well as best ways to process and preserve harvest items and tips on gadgets, tools and shopping.

Events are at 6 p.m. June 28 at the main branch, 900 W. McKenzie Road, Greenfield; and 6 p.m. June 29 at the Sugar Creek branch, 5731 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine. The programs are identical, so register for only one of the events at hcplibrary.org.