West Holmes FFA members shine at fairs, camps and contests this fall

The Wayne County Fair took place Sept. 6-11, and three West Holmes FFA members participated in their junior fair shows.

Emma McDonnell was the first-place 15-year-old dairy showman, honorable mention senior dairy showman and eighth-place intermediate heifer class for her dairy animals. For swine events she was the second-place showman and fifth place in her weight division. In the lamb category, she had the third-place breeding ewe and first place in breeding lamb showmanship. She also was an Outstanding Dairy Exhibitor contender.

Taylor McDonnell placed third in Ayrshire summer yearling, seventh place in breeding ewe lamb, and participated in dairy and lamb showmanship.

Jenna Zimmerly was named the 2025-26 Wayne County Fair queen. She also participated in the rabbit show and was Best of Breed Mini Rex, Best Fancy Other with an English Spot, Grand Champion Fancy Rabbit English Spot, Senior Breeding/Pet Rabbit Showmanship of the Day, Overall Senior Rabbit Showman, Rabbit representative for Showman of Showmen, seventh-place 16-year-old market lamb showmanship, and second-place market lamb class. She ended the week Grand Champion Showman of Showmen.

West Holmes FFA had two members participate in the Loudonville Street Fair. Emma McDonnell was fourth-place senior showman and third-place spring ewe lamb. Taylor McDonnell was third-place intermediate showman, fourth-place spring ewe lamb and second-place ram lamb.

Thirteen members of the West Holmes FFA attended Greenhand Camp Sept. 28-30 at FFA Camp Muskingum in Carrollton. Members attending included Conner Allison, Lane Burgett, Tori Bell, Harlie Curry, Una Holasek, Austin Long, Ali Mash, Tim Mittman, Emily Ogi, Khloe Schafer, Breck Sheldon, Macie Sours and Tyler Tope.

During their trip they got to meet some of the state officers and members from across the state; learn about and practice new leadership skills; kayak and paddle board; shoot shotgun, rifles and archery; and attend leadership sessions led by the state officers.

The workshop titles were Discovering Decisions, Opening Opportunities, Setting Our Course and Where to Next. The days were filled with fun, and we are so excited these kids got to have this experience.

On Sept. 23 the West Holmes FFA Chapter sent 19 members to District Soils at Holmes County Home. Members examined soil slope, texture, depth and drainage, as well as the potential farming or building uses for the specified areas.

They were tested on their knowledge of how to read a soil survey book and their general knowledge of soil and its characteristics. The chapter had two teams competing in the contest. The rural team placed 10th out of 17 teams.

Individually, Gabby Fowler placed 38th, Emma McDonnell placed 40th, Reece Anderson placed 47th, Natalie Lauriha placed 63rd, Ellie Babitt placed 66th and Reagan Mackey placed 69th out of 96 individuals.

The urban team placed ninth out of 18 teams. Individually, Ellectra Beachy placed 20th, Natty Lint placed 34th, Madison Mittman placed 60th, Mia Spencer placed 63rd and Courtney Crider placed 64th out of 87 individuals. The alternates were Kendra Hall, Chloe Kaser, Cam Hinton and Rayne Larimore.

Thanks to the Holmes County SWCD and Holmes County Home for hosting District Soils.

On Oct. 5, seventeen of the West Holmes FFA members attended the Holmes County Antique Festival parade in Millersburg. Members included Jarrett Schafer, Jack Jewell, Shane Lorentz, Lane Burgett, Tim Mittman, Natalie Lauriha, Natty Lint, Makenzie Mast, Emma McDonnell, Madison Mittman, Wyatt Troyer, Leland Turner, Ron Tomlinson, Taylor McDonnell, Madison Ringwalt, Chloe Kaser and Mia Spencer. The social and recreation committee oversaw creating the theme for the float. A big thanks to the Clay Armstrong family for providing the float.