“Plenty of extra pens of hogs, chickens, and turkey were also offered for sale this year, beyond those that competed in the market shows—23 extra pens in total—a sign that these 4-H members are committed to raising quality livestock,” said David Peth, Chair of the Auction committee and President of Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau.
Longtime local businesses and supporters of the auction— North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik, Augie’s Pizza, The Olive Tap, North Royalton Animal Hospital, Brecksville Kids Dentistry, Cossell Farms, Peth’s Landscaping, and Greystone Veterinary—as well as local individuals Tom Sabrey, Mary Bryk, Margaret Simko, and the Durda, Macek, and Barbo families —also purchased a variety of these extra pens of animals from the North Royalton Homesteaders at this year’s sale.
The livestock auction also includes the sale of non-animal items, which benefit the Bruce Kucharski Family Scholarship fund, named in memory of Bruce Kucharski, Sr., a founder of the NR Homesteaders 4-H Club. Proceeds from this portion of the auction benefited this scholarship fund. This year, the scholarship was awarded to Kristen Patrick, a 12-year member of the NR Homesteaders Club and recent graduate of North Royalton High School. Patrick will enter Ursuline College this fall with a major in nursing, and will swim on the Ursuline swim team.
4-H members were also recognized and rewarded by the Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau for their hard work raising market projects. Farm Bureau generously provided over $1,000 to members, which was divided among the market auction participants in recognition of their hard work in completing their market animal projects. The Crooked River Livestock Foundation also recognized 4-H members raising large animal projects (hogs and lambs), and provided a monetary reward to each of these members as well in recognition of their hard work, and the fact that often these projects do not earn them as much as the smaller market projects.
Work is already underway for next year as North Royalton Homesteaders 4-H Club members take pride in their accomplishments, and savor the remaining weeks of summer—and plan their projects for next year. For some, that will come very soon: Homesteader members who will be raising steers for the auction in 2019 will obtain their animals in the coming weeks. Save the date for next year’s auction—August 10, 2019—and purchase high-quality, locally grown food and support a young 4-her in the North Royalton Homesteaders Club.
About the 4-H Program
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H, which began in Ohio in 1902, offers non-formal educational development programs to youth ages 5-19. Youth are involved in hands-on, experiential learning that allows learning by doing. All 4-H programs focus on active involvement and quality experiences, which stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills that help individuals, become responsible, productive members of society.
Pictured In Cover Photo: 2018 Grand Champion Pen of Chickens, raised by Natalie Fitzgerald, and purchased by Cherokee Demolition, Dave and Colleen Nemec of Geauga County
