Jay County 4-H working to raise $

Jay County Fairgrounds is a tremendous asset to the community, with the potential it allows for revenue each year.

The Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show, Tri-State swap meets, motorbike show, military vehicle show, fair and other activities hosted at, or included at the fairgrounds, bring tremendous added income and recognition to many aspects of Jay County. 

Many people in the community may not realize that Jay County Fairgrounds and Jay County 4-H area operate as two separate entities. Much of the fairgrounds, including grandstand, gates, camping areas, and from the new Farmer’s Building and south, are all operated by the Jay County Fair Board. The green exhibit hall and three livestock buildings and show arena, located between the Farmer’s Building and the horse barns and outside arena, are operated by Jay County 4-H. Each entity has its own board or council, own officers and separate accounts.

4-H does not receive any income from grandstand events or gate admission. Much of our revenue is generated from donations, fundraising, building rental and just a 6% commission from the yearly 4-H auction. The other 94% of each animal sold goes directly back to the child selling the animal in the auction.

The majority of funds raised each year is put back into the kids paying for trips, camps, awards, leadership opportunities and training to benefit the 4-H members.

With this said, 4-H is always appreciative of any assistance we can get to help the general fund for yearly operating as well as benefitting the members.

Jay County 4-H Council would like to thank The Portland Foundation for its recent grant money allowing food serving windows to be remodeled in the front of the green exhibition building. This will improve service and assist 4-H in better serving visitors during events like engine show and motorbike show.

We would also like to thank the county commissioners for meeting with us and discussing assistance in the future in remodeling and improving several barn issues that need to be addressed, to ensure safety of the animals and people using these building each year.

The 4-H council continues to look into new and different ways to help raise money to benefit the kids of the program.

If any individual or company would like to know how they can help in any way through donations or the purchasing an animal at the fair auction, or becoming a part of the buyers’ club at the auction, please contact the Jay County Purdue Extension Office at (260) 726-4707 and they will help point you in the right direction.

Thank you.
C. Dru Mercer
Jay County 4-H Council vice president