Ashland County Jr. Fair Board Shines in Statewide Food Drive, Donating Over 10,000 Pounds to Fight Hunger

Joe Lyons • November 21, 2024

Ashland County Jr. Fair Board Shines in Statewide Food Drive, Donating Over 10,000 Pounds to Fight Hunger

Ashland, OH – The Ashland County Jr. Fair Board played a crucial role in combating hunger through their participation in Farm Credit Mid-America’s Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer competition. Collecting 10,080 pounds of food, the board secured second place in the Northeast Ohio regional contest and earned a $3,500 prize to support their future activities.

The initiative, held annually by Farm Credit and sponsored by Rural 1st, inspires youth to combat food insecurity in their communities. This year, Ashland County’s Jr. Fair Board received donations from local businesses, 4-H clubs, and fairgoers. Their efforts contributed to Ohio’s record-breaking total of 286,339 pounds of food collected statewide—a 25% increase from the previous year.

“The kids did an amazing job,” said an Ashland County Jr. Fair advisor. “They stayed focused on the purpose of the drive, often expressing how much they wanted to help families in need. Comments like ‘I hope someone enjoys my favorite meal’ or ‘I made sure to create an entire meal package’ show their thoughtfulness and dedication.”

In Northeast Ohio, 17 county fairs participated, amassing a collective 77,938 pounds of donations. The Lorain County Fair topped the regional leaderboard with 32,580 pounds, while Ashland County claimed the second spot, followed by Stark County at 8,620 pounds.

Ashland’s contribution mirrored a broader statewide effort that brought together 66 fairs to address food insecurity affecting over one million Ohioans. Farm Credit awarded more than $50,000 in prizes to junior fair boards, with $500 given to every participating county and additional prizes for top performers.

Melanie Strait-Bok, senior vice president of agricultural lending for Farm Credit Mid-America, praised the initiative: “This year, we were able to increase the total amount raised by over 25%, setting a new record. It’s inspiring to see young people and communities come together to help bridge the gap in food insecurity.”

For Ashland County’s Jr. Fair Board, the drive was about more than competition. As board member Alexus Evans shared, “Doing Stock the Trailer these past few years has shown me the difference even a small donation can make for a family. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

The fair board’s efforts highlight the community’s generosity and the potential of youth-led initiatives in making a significant difference.

1st place regional winners were awarded $5,000 in addition to the $500 donation they received for participating in the event.

This year’s 1st place winners were:

Champaign County Fair for collecting 11,700 pounds of food

Guernsey County Fair for collecting 30,340 pounds of food

Lorain County Fair for collecting 32,580 pounds of food

Ross County Fair for collecting 30,140 pounds of food

Van Wert County Fair for collecting 7,340 pounds of food

2nd-place winners were awarded $3,500 in addition to the $500 donation they received for participating in the event.

This year’s 2nd place winners were:

Ashland County Fair for collecting 10,080 pounds of food

Clermont County Fair for collecting 12,455 pounds of food