As many of you may know, we are a long-time supporter of the Portage County Fair 4-H Jr Fair livestock auctions. The program is intended to provide lifetime skills in caring for animals, and marketing projects; in a sense, running a small business. This year brought many other life lessons due to Covid. All 4-H members start projects well in advance of the fair, having purchased their animals in late winter. After purchase, just like anything else in our world, the program was affected. However, the animals still needed care. At the same time, members were uncertain about what was going to happen to the fair season. After the fair board evaluated options, the Portage County Randolph Fair was canceled. The fair board, in an effort to help 4-H clubs complete projects, elected to have a limited auction on 8/29/20. The pig that our agency purchased is owned by Madelyn Rennecker and raised on her hobby farm in Mantua. This is her 10th year of 4-H and has been a very active member of the Portage Prime Producers 4-H club for 6 years. Madelyn also helps mentor younger members of the club. We are proud to share that Madelyn’s pig, Jessie, was very competitive at the fair. Jessie was 4th overall at the fair and the grand champion in her division. The entire Rennecker family is also supportive of the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard which helps local families in need.
