PAULDING – Youth exhibitors from across Paulding County were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2026 Paulding County Junior Fair, held June 6-13 at the Paulding County Fairgrounds. Throughout the week, 4-H and FFA members showcased their hard work and dedication through livestock exhibitions, project judging, skillathons, and contests.

The fair schedule featured Dog Show and FFA Still Projects on June 7; Goat Show and Rabbit Show on June 8; Horse Show, Poultry Show, 4-H Clothing Show and Swine Show on June 9; Rabbit Show, Sheep Show, Beef and Dairy Show, and Swine Show on June 10; 4-H Family and Consumer Science judging and Horse Show on June 11; 4-H Natural Resources and STEM projects, the Showman of Showmen competition, Companion Animal and Veterinary Science judging, and Horse Contesting on June 12; culminating with the annual Livestock Auction on June 13.

Sarah McCabe was named the 2026 Paulding County Junior Fair Parade Grand Marshall! Sarah is currently the Senior Fairboard Secretary and Director of the Rabbit Barn. She is involved in numerous projects and events for the fair including publications and marketing.

Overall FFA Project Winners:

Best SAE Poster: Darcy Taylor

Best Misc Project: Miguel Martinez

Best Metal Working Project: Nolan Schlatter

Best Carpentry Project: Anabel Martinez 

Best Electricity Project: Jacob Harris

Best Masonry Project: Remington Boroff 

FFA Project Best of Class:

Carpentry 1: Nathanial Peters, Wayne Trace FFA

Carpentry 2: Annabel Martinez, Paulding FFA

Advanced Carpentry: Mariah Klopfenstein, Paulding FFA

Shop Project that does not fit in any other category: Miguel Martinez, Paulding FFA

Ag Electrification 1: Salvatore Biliti, Paulding FFA

Adv Ag Electrification 2: Jacob Harris, Paulding FFA

Arc Welding 1: Brayden Kauser, Paulding FFA

Grange Best of Shows:

 Photography – Emilee Hadsty

Flowers – Kenley Miller

Artwork – Kenley Miller

Machine Sewing – Preston Johnson

Needlework – Bonnie Etchison

Antiques – Jordan Hayes

Garden & Crops – Darrel Behrmann

Baked Goods – Kylee Miller

Kids Zone – Ruby Hayes

Crafts – Debra Howell

Canned Goods – Kylee Miller

Demo Derby Winners:

FWD Stock: 1 Preston Averesch; 2 Jason Stanfield Jr; 3 Kylee Roberts

FWD Pro Stock: 1 Clay Bowman; 2 Logan Walker; 3 Caleb Botchlett

Youth Compact: 1 Teagan Wheeler; 2 Bryon Upp; 3 Landon Highly

Minivan/Mini Truck: 1 Jeffery Christan; 2 Logan Warrell; 3 Jason Mcgurm

Semi Stock: 1 Dustin Joey; 2 Saige Moyer; 3 Gary Geahlen

Pro Stock: 1 Preston Cristt; 2 Scott Drevenok; 3 Chase Leininge

4-H Clothing Project Awards:

Sew Fun (Beginner) – 1st Ilah Zimmerman

Sew for Others (Intermediate) – 1st Anabelle Saylor

Ready, Set, Sew Active! (Intermediate) – 1st Brianna McClure

Loungewear (Intermediate) – 1st Elliana Burtnett

Shopping Savvy (Intermediate) – 1st Emerson Maibach

Beginner Clothing – 1st Ilah Zimmerman

Intermediate Clothing – 1st Anabelle Saylor; 2nd Brianna McClure

John & Bernadyne Rogers Memorial Award – Joanna Zuber

State Fair Qualifiers:

Ilah Zimmerman, Brianna McClure, Anabelle Saylor, Elliana Burtnett, Emerson Maibach

Dog Project Results:

Dog Obedience:

Beginner Novice A – 1st Emma Wilcox; Pre-Novice – 1st Miley Jacobs; Novice A – 1st Chloe Trausch; Novice B – 1st Brianna McClure, 2nd Faith Jacobs

Dog Skillathon:

Intermediate – Emma Wilcox

Dog Rally – Novice A: 1st Emma Wilcox; Novice B – 1st Faith Jacobs; Intermediate A – 1st Brianna McClure

Dog Showmanship:

Intermediate A – 1st Emma Wilcox; Intermediate B – 1st Brianna McClure; Senior B – 1st Faith Jacobs

Equine Division Results:

Equine Showmanship:

Open Longe Line – 1st Raeley Franklin – Dakota; 2nd Brynlee Stoller – Bougie; 3rd Luciana Martinez – Ollie; 4th Kenley Miller – Opie; 5th Brynlee Stoller – Groot

Senior Ground Roping – 1st Gracelyn Elkins – Goose; 2nd Levi Ankney – Daisy

Junior Ground Roping – 1st Hudson Miller – Callie; 2nd Makenzie Muir – Ranger; 3rd Kenley Miller – Opie

Junior Ranch – 1st Sofi Martinez – My Chocolate Valentine; 2nd Brynlee Stoller – Bougie; 3rd Haven Wagner – Cinco; 4th Henley Wagner – Tinsley; 5th Kenley Miller – Opie

Senior Ranch – 1st Delaney Johanns – Gunner;  2nd Raeley Franklin – Dakota; 3rd Raeley Franklin – Whisper;  4th Ben Gurney – Ozzie; 5th Gabby Gurney – Dexter

Senior Hunter Horse – 1st Delaney Johanns – Gunner; 2nd Raeley Franklin – Dakota

Pony Western – 1st Janae Parrett – Sunny; 2nd Logan Holbrook – Shadow

Junior Western – 1st Hudson Miller – Callie; 2nd Brynlee Stoller – Groot;  3rd Adelynne Slattman – Mac; 4th Makenzie Muir – Ranger; 5th Nevayah Cler – Thor

Senior Western – 1st Luciana Martinez – Ollie; 2nd Karlee Kohart – Rosie; 3rd Savannah Barnes – Star; 4th Kendall Kohart – Diva

Equine Skillathon:

Beginner – Brynlee Stoller; Intermediate – Katelynn Hurd

Equine Showmanship Champions:

Champion of Champions – Raeley Franklin – Dakota

Reserve Champion – Delaney Johanns – Gunner

Goat Competition Results:

Breeding Boer Doe – 3–6 Months: 1st Janae Parrett

Breeding Boer Doe – 6–9 Months: 1st Janae Parrett

Grand Champion: Janae Parrett

Reserve Champion: Janae Parrett

Pet Goat – Grand Champion: Adelynne Slattman; Reserve Champion: Makenzie Muir

Dairy Market Goat:

Class 1 – 1st Brynlee Stoller; 2nd Olivia McCrory

Class 2 – 1st Kinley Sunday; 2nd Lienna Stoller

Class 3 – 1st Allison Donaldson; 2nd Brynlee Stoller

Class 4 – 1st Sophie Donaldson; 2nd Allison Donaldson

Class 5 – 1st Makinzee Williamson; 2nd Anna Meraz

Dairy Market Goat Champions – Grand Champion: Allison Donaldson; Reserve Champion: Sophie Donaldson; Rate of Gain: Olivia McCrory

Market Wether Goat:

Class 1 – 1st Easton Stork; 2nd Madison Muir

Class 2 – 1st Reese Franklin; 2nd Betsie Manz

Class 3 – 1st Janae Parrett; 2nd Mariah Klopfenstein

Class 4 – 1st Myleigh Sheets; 2nd Dodger Boyd

Class 5 – 1st Aubree Feehan; 2nd Raeley Franklin

Market Goat Champions – Grand Champion: Janae Parrett; Reserve Champion: Myleigh Sheets; Rate of Gain: Gannon Parrett

Pygmy Goat:

Grand Champion: Karlee Kohart

Reserve Champion: Kendall Kohart

Goat Showmanship:

Beginner – Makenzie Muir

Junior – Allison Donaldson

Senior –  Makinzee Williamson

Champion of Champions – Makinzee Williamson

Goat Skillathon:

Beginner – Brynlee Stoller

Advanced – Makinzee Williamson

Poultry Division Results:

Exhibition Poultry:

Standard Breed Chicken – Grand Champion: Easton Mapes; Reserve Champion: Easton Mapes

Bantam Breed Chicken – Grand Champion: Morgan Snyder; Reserve Champion: Mollie Matz

Egg Production Chickens – Grand Champion: Edison Manz

Exhibition Duck – Grand Champion: Wyatt Leatherman

Overall Exhibition Poultry – Grand Champion: Wyatt Leatherman; Reserve Champion: Edison Manz

Market Chicken Meat Pen – Grand Champion: Allie Wilcox; Reserve Champion: Seth Rosswurm

Market Duck Meat Pen – Grand Champion: Natalie Mericle; Reserve Champion: Lilly Holbrook

Duck Skillathon:

Beginner – Natalie Mericle; Intermediate – Ulrik Zijlstra

Market Tom Turkey – Grand Champion: Avery Cooper; Reserve Champion: Axel Goyings

Market Turkey Meat Pen – Grand Champion: Avery Cooper; Reserve Champion: Avery Cooper

Poultry Showmanship:

Beginner – Ashtyn Lanz

Junior Showmanship – Kaylee Miller

Senior Showmanship – Damon Rosswurm

Champion of Champions – Damon Rosswurm

Chicken Skillathon:

Beginner – Edison Manz; Intermediate – Kaylee Miller; Advanced – Damon Rosswurm

Rabbit Division Results:

4-Class Breeding Rabbit – Grand Champion: Lydia Miller-White; Best Opposite: Lydia Miller-White

6-Class Breeding Rabbit – Grand Champion: Harley Troyer; Best Opposite: Owen Dangler

Overall Breeding Rabbit – Best of Show: Harley Troyer; Best Opposite: Lydia Miller-White

Market Doe:

Class 1 – 1st Adelynne Slattman; 2nd Adelynne Slattman

Class 2 – 1st Myleigh Sheets; 2nd Gavin Parrett

Class 3 – 1st Janae Parrett; 2nd Aubree Feehan

Meat Pen of Rabbits:

Class 1 – 1st Harley Troyer;  2nd Kiersten Thomas

Class 2 – 1st Luciana Martinez; 2nd Delana Noggle

Grand Champion: Luciana Martinez

Reserve Champion: Harley Troyer

Roaster Rabbits

Class 1 – 1st Julia Floss;  2nd Alia Floss

Class 2 – 1st Elizabeth Cortes-Becerra; 2nd Wyatt Wilhelm

Class 3 – 1st Piper Pease; 2nd Wyatt Wilhelm

Class 4 – 1st Sophie Kessler; 2nd Sofi Martinez

Class 5 – 1st Lailah Smith; 2nd Lee Bradford

Class 6 – 1st Carter Baumle; 2nd Quinton Burns

Class 7 – 1st Brylee Thompson; 2nd Calla Manz

Class 8 – 1st Wyatt Batt; 2nd Demi Boyd

Class 9 – 1st Emma Wilcox; 2nd Owen Workman

Class 10 – 1st Sophia Smith; 2nd Dodger Boyd

Class 11 – 1st Deacon Boyd; 2nd Hudson Spangler

Grand Champion: Carter Baumle

Reserve Champion: Quinton Burns

Rabbit Breed Classes:

6-Class Senior Doe – Harley Troyer

6-Class Junior Doe – Harley Troyer

6-Class Senior Buck – Owen Dangler

6-Class Junior Buck – Harley Troyer

4-Class Senior Doe – Lydia Miller-White

4-Class Senior Buck – Lydia Miller-White

4 and 6-Class Mixed Breed – Scott Elder

4 and 6-Class Doe & Litter – Edwin Miller-White

Rabbit Showmanship:

Beginner – Darcy Taylor

Junior – Alia Floss

Senior – Cole Manz

Champion of Champions – Cole Manz

Single Fryer Rabbits:

Class 1 – 1st Brynlee Mangette; 2nd Leon Steele

Class 2 – 1st Luke Lane; 2nd Chase Dobbelaere

Class 3 – 1st Gradyn Stairhime; 2nd Brynley Manz

Class 4 – 1st Aubrey Manz; 2nd Jacob Harris

Class 5 – 1st Lute Gross; 2nd Barrett Rau

Class 6 – 1st Quinne Bradbury; 2nd Benson Slattman

Class 7 – 1^st Mariano Reyes; 2^nd Benson Slattman

Class 8 – 1^st Alexandria Manz; 2^nd Cole Manz

Class 9 – 1^st Cora Baumle; 2^nd Gabriella Stork

Class 10 – 1^st Greysyn Hermiller; 2^nd Renee McCabe

Class 11 – 1^st Maddock Wolfle; 2^nd Baylor Kilgore

Class 12 – 1^st Kallen Walters; 2^nd Aubree Feehan

Class 13 – 1^st Raegan McGarvey; 2^nd Kiptyn Mills

Class 14 – 1^st Michael Corwin; 2^nd Rya Wirts

Class 15 – 1^st Raegan McGarvey; 2^nd Kendyl Sunday

Class 16 – 1^st Kiptyn Mills; 2^nd Piper Mills

Class 17 – 1^st Skyler Pierce; 2^nd Mallory Barker

Class 18 – 1^st Duke Dangler; 2^nd Jameson Reeb

Class 19 – 1^st Ellie Roughton; 2^nd Addison Clemens

Grand Champion: Quinne Bradbury

Reserve Champion: Duke Dangler

Sheep Division Results:

Beginner Showmanship – Alayna White

Junior Showmanship – Wyatt Leatherman

Senior Showmanship – Anna Meraz

Champion of Champions – Avery Cooper

Sheep Skillathon:

Beginner – Ilah Zimmerman

Intermediate – Ella Zimmerman

Market Lamb Classes:

Class 1 – 1st Leo Krabill; 2nd Tekota Putnam

Class 2 – 1st Kaylee Stoller; 2nd Wyatt Batt

Class 3 – 1st Alayna White; 2nd Brandon Krabill

Class 4 – 1st Avery Cooper; 2nd Kaylee Stoller

Class 5 – 1st Alayna White; 2nd Tekota Putnam

Grand Champion Market Lamb: Kaylee Stoller

Reserve Champion Market Lamb: Alayna White

Rate of Gain: Alayna White

Swine Division Results:

Swine Showmanship:

Beginner – Kaylee Combs

Junior – Rachel Webb

Senior – Sophia Antoine

Champion of Champions – Hannah Griffiths

Swine Skillathon:

Advanced – Zaine McMichael

Market Swine Classes:

Class 1 – 1st Briggs Stoller; 2nd Joanna Zuber

Class 2 – 1st Anneliese Zijlstra; 2nd Jordan Steel

Class 3 – 1st Kaylee Combs; 2nd Tucker Stoller

Class 4 – 1st Jordan Steel; 2nd Sylvie Zartman

Class 5 – 1st Garrett Goyings; 2nd Kaylee Combs

Class 6 – 1st Maggie Webb; 2nd Hannah Griffiths

Class 7 – 1st Kalan Burns; 2nd Michael Griffiths

Class 8 – 1st Mara Phlipot; 2nd Hannah Griffiths

Class 9 – 1st Ronan Phlipot; 2nd Briggs Stoller

Class 10 – 1st Rachel Webb; 2nd Maggie Webb

Grand Champion Market Swine: Mara Phlipot

Reserve Champion Market Swine: Garrett Goyings

Cattle Division Results:

Beef Breeding:

Senior Heifer Calf – 1st Avery Mosier; 2nd Landyn Miller

Grand Champion Beef Breeding: Avery Mosier

Reserve Champion Beef Breeding: Landyn Miller

Beef Cattle Skillathon:

Beginner – Landyn Miller

Beef Feeder Classes:

Class 1 – 1st Nolan Schlatter; 2nd Katelyn Plummer

Class 2 – 1s tAvery Mosier; 2nd Kyra Adams

Class 3 – 1st Leo Krabill; 2nd Landyn Miller

Class 4 – 1st Avery Mosier; 2nd Alivia Mosier

Grand Champion Beef Feeder: Avery Mosier

Reserve Champion Beef Feeder: Avery Mosier

Beef Cattle Showmanship:

Beginner – Parker Maibach

Junior – Kyra Adams

Senior – Alivia Mosier

Champion of Champions – Alvia Mosier

Dairy Beef Cross Feeder Classes:

Class 1 – 1st Jonah Sinn; 2nd Hopeful Rose

Class 2 – 1st Noah Schlatter; 2nd Caleb McClure

Class 3 – 1st Seth Rosswurm; 2nd Damon Rosswurm

Class 4 – 1st Joshua Schlatter; 2nd Boston McGarvey

Grand Champion Dairy Beef Cross Feeder: Joshua Schlatter

Reserve Champion Dairy Beef Cross Feeder: Seth Rosswurm

Dairy Beef Cattle Skillathon:

Beginner – Joshua Schlatter

Intermediate – Olivia Schlatter

Advanced – Noah Schlatter

Dairy Beef Cross Cattle Showmanship:

Beginner – Kollin Reichert

Junior – Boston McGarvey

Senior – Hopeful Rose

Champion of Champions – Hopeful Rose

Dairy Cattle Showmanship:

Champion of Champions – Anneliese Zijlstra

Dairy Feeder Classes:

Class 1 – 1st Kenley Miller; 2nd Kollin Reichert

Class 2 – 1st Kenley Miller; 2nd Matias Rivera

Class 3 – 1st Kolby Reichert; 2nd Brielle Schlatter

Class 4 – 1st Ross Carter; 2nd Alex Doster

Class 5 – 1st Allison Donaldson; 2nd Ross Carter

Class 6 – 1st Elena Schlatter; 2nd Tori Schlatter

Class 7 – 1st Ryleigh McGarvey; 2nd Caleb McClure

Grand Champion Dairy Feeder: Elena Schlatter

Reserve Champion Dairy Feeder: Tori Schlatter

Market Beef Steer:

Grand Champion Market Beef Steer: Alivia Mosier

Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer: Addalynne Halter

Dairy Cattle:

Senior Yearling Heifer – Anneliese Zijlstra

Grand Champion Dairy Cattle: Anneliese Zijlstra

Market Dairy Beef Cross Steer:

Grand Champion Market Dairy Beef Cross Steer: Mackenzie Leatherman

Reserve Champion Market Dairy Beef Cross Steer: Mackenzie Leatherman

Market Dairy Steer:

Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer: Mackenzie Leatherman

Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer: Jordan Hale

Members of John Paulding VFW Post 587 recently visited Lily Creek Farms near Napoleon, Ohio to present a $5,000 donation to support their therapeutic riding center. 

Lily Creek Farms’ mission is to heal mind, body, and spirit through equine-assisted and other farm related activities.

Lily Creek Farms also offers specialized programming for veterans and their families. These programs include riding and unmounted classes designed to help with the emotional and physical scars of military service.

For more information about Lily Creek Farms visit their website at www.lilycreekfarms.org.

By: Makenna Manz, Paulding FFA Reporter

The Paulding FFA Chapter recently competed in the Envirothon at the Williams County Conservation Club on Wednesday April 22th, 2026. 

Envirothon is a competition where different schools from Area 1 take multiple tests and practicums involving the environment. The tests these students took as a team were as follows: Wildlife, Forestry, Soils, and Aquatics and the current issue being Point and Non-Point Source Pollution. 

These students went to a practice day with other schools at Defiance SWCD to prepare and learn more about these topic areas before competing.  

The Paulding FFA Chapter took two teams to compete, consisting of a senior team and a sophomore team. Senior team members were Aleah Matty, Delaney Dachenhaus, Addy Hunt and Jacob Harris and placed an Amazing 5th out of 32 teams. 

The Sophomore team members were Addison Arend, Delaney Johanns, Wesley Grindstaff, Ava Leatherman and Kinzley Collard. This team placed 21st. A special thanks to Paulding SWCD for sponsoring the teams! 

The state contest is June 1-3 in Steubenville Ohio and we are very excited to have a team compete in this once in a lifetime experience. 

The team competing at the state contest will be Aleah Matty, Delaney Dachenhaus, Jacob Harris, Delaney Johanns and Kat Burtch. We want to extend a huge thank you to Paulding SWCD for their support and guidance as we get ready to attend this state event. The team members are very excited to compete to represent Paulding at the State level!

By: Makenna Manz, Paulding FFA Reporter

On April 30th, 2026, the Paulding FFA Chapter took twenty-seven students and two FFA Advisors to attend the 98th Ohio FFA State Convention at the Ohio Expo Center & Fairgrounds in Columbus. 

They departed at 10 a.m. in their matching blue FFA convention shirts. On the way down to Columbus, they made a stop at MVP Dairy to receive a tour. They had a nice little museum where students learned about the history of the dairy. Then students took a ride on a tour bus around their barns and saw all of their cows. At the last station, we saw their milking carousel where 80 cows ride on in a circular motion as they get milked, which takes around 10 minutes. The students received free Dannon yogurt as all of the milk MVP Dairy produces goes to Dannon. 

They soon after, arrived at the Drury Inn to unpack their luggage and later enjoyed shopping time at the Polaris mall. For dinner the students were given a meal at the Cheesecake Factory, courtesy of the Paulding FFA Alumni. The group then went to Slick City which was an action park filled with slides, basketball courts, and bouncy floors.

The following morning students ate breakfast at the Drury Inn and put on their official dress to go to convention! They found seats and watched the state FFA officer team take the stage for session one. 

The Paulding FFA Chapter was awarded the charitable giving award for chapters that have given over $500 in donations, this award was accepted by Darcy Taylor. 

After this, the group was given time to explore the expo center and shop. In session two, Addy Hunt and Tori Schlatter accepted the Gold Chapter Award for chapters who have performed exceptionally well in their communities and were rated Gold on their National Chapter Application Paulding FFA was one of twenty-five chapters to receive this award in Ohio. The keynote speaker of this session was Brad Hurtig, who spoke of his difficulties without arms. He told of being able to play football with prosthetic arms and through hard work was able to “dominate the field.” They then ended the day by celebrating Jeff Holtsberry as he received his State Honorary Degree award! Jeff is our bus driver and has been supporting our FFA Chapter for over 15 years. 

On the third day of the trip, FFA chapter secretaries, treasurers, and reporters received Gold rated book awards for outstanding work done on their books. Myrriah Manz received a secretary book award, Mariah Klopfenstein received a treasurer book award, and Vivienne Myers received a reporter book award. 

The chapter then received state winning plaques for Aquarium and Ag Biotechnology. Congratulations to both teams. Students also got to see Carter Boyd give his retiring speech as the State FFA President. In his speech, Boyd encouraged everyone to discover their interests and who they are. State FFA degrees were also awarded to qualifying students from across Ohio. The Paulding FFA Chapter’s State Degree Recipients were as follows: Avery Cooper, Kayleigh Dunham, Jayla Griffith, Mariah Klopfenstein, Mackenzie Leatherman, Kate Manz, Myrriah Manz, Gannon Parrett, Addy Pease, Estie Pease, Tori Schlatter and Riley Stork!

The 98th annual FFA state convention was an amazing way to see the fruits of our chapter’s labors and give students lessons on the value of hard work. 

The chapter could not have succeeded without the contributions of the community and we are so grateful for their support. We are so thankful for the Paulding FFA Alumni and their support of our chapter. The state convention was a major success and we are looking forward to attending again next year!

By: Makenna Manz, Paulding FFA Reporter

On Saturday, April 11th, 2026 the Paulding FFA chapter held its 99th Annual FFA Banquet. Several people attended the banquet including community, alumni, and staff members. There were 395 people who attended the banquet. The theme for this year’s banquet was “Time Marches On.”

Several awards were given to community and FFA members at the banquet. Members who met the qualifications for Greenhand or Chapter degrees received them. We also recognized twelve students who have earned their state degrees; they will receive their certificates and pins at the State FFA Convention in May. Those members include: Avery Cooper, Kayleigh Dunham, Jayla Griffith, Mariah Klopfenstein, Mackenzie Leatherman, Kate Manz, Myrriah Manz, Gannon Parrett, Addison Pease, Estie Pease, Tori Schlatter, and Riley Stork. In addition, we recognized twelve members who will be receiving their American degrees at the FFA national convention this coming fall. The American degree is the highest degree an FFA member can receive. These members included: Matthew Bail, Anna Clemens, Harley Collins, Grace Goings, Maci Kauser, Brooke Kilgore, Jalyn Klopfenstein, Jonathan Lipps, Marley Parrett, Hopeful Rose, Brooklyn Schlatter, and Kadence Thomas. 

The Blue and Gold Award was given to three individuals to acknowledge all that they have done to help out the Paulding FFA chapter this year. This year’s winners were Mr. Gary Gilbert, Heidi Kauser, and Mr. Jordan Streicher. The Honorary FFA degree was also awarded to Erin Johanns, Jeff Holtsberry, and Kim Couts. Any member who participated in a CDE (career development event) throughout the year received a certificate and pin for their jacket for their outstanding work. Star awards were handed out to a select few students from each grade who showed leadership not only in the classroom, but also in their community and FFA programs and activities. Kendall Kohart and Makenna Manz received the star Greenhand, Ava Leatherman and Delaney Johanns received the star Chapter farmer, Myrriah Manz received the star 3rd year member, Jacob Harris received the star 4th year member, Remington Boroff received the Quiet leader award, Kinzely Collard received the star in Community Service, and Darcy Taylor received the Ag Credit 110% award. The Paulding FFA Alumni awarded scholarships of $200 to Marley Parrett (book scholarship), $200 to Grace Goyings (book scholarship), $350 to Lucy Breier, $500 to Kaitlynn Breedlove, $750 to Jacob Harris, $950 to Jackson Griffith, $950 to Addison Pease, and $1100 to Addison Hunt. 

Chapter President, Addison Hunt, gave an inspirational speech encouraging members to find good friends. Finally, it was time for the installation of the new officers. The 2026-2027 officers are as follows: President- Darcy Taylor, Vice President- Myrriah Manz, Secretary- Delaney Johanns, Treasurer- Ava Leatherman, Reporter- Makenna Manz, Sentinel- Kinzley Collard, Student Advisor- Vivienne Myers, Parliamentarian- Gabby Stork, Chaplin- Remington Boroff, and Historian- Nolan Schlatter. We want to thank everyone who came out to the banquet and the community who made the great year we had possible!

By: Vivienne Myers, Paulding FFA Reporter

On Saturday, March 21st  the Paulding FFA Chapter hosted Arlington FFA for a mini ag basketball tournament.  

Ag ball is for all FFA students that do not normally play basketball with a new rule this year being we could have 1 basketball player on the court if wanted. Paulding has participated in ag basketball for the last several years. Our chapter loves to participate and have fun. It also allows members to mingle with other chapters in the nearby area. Paulding FFA Ag ball team was victorious, winning against Arlington in two out of three games. 

The team was made up of Colten Hunt, Jackson Griffith, Grady Arend, Jose Gonzale, Juice Pessefall, Ridge Hunt, Magdiel Lopez, and Wes Grindstaff with Coaches Gannon Parrett and Zach Barton. Some game highlights included Grady Arend hitting 6 three-point shots. Ridge Hunt and Wes Grindstaff were the best dressed basketball players. We had 2 seniors who have played throughout their high school career which were Colten Hunt and Jackson Griffith.  

The Paulding FFA team received a plaque to commemorate the 2026 tournament. Everyone had a lot of fun playing basketball along with the students who were there cheering on our team.  We are looking forward to next year’s tournament and are thankful that Arlington was able to attend this year, it was a blast to watch.  

February 23rd-27th, the Paulding FFA Chapter celebrated National FFA Week by having many events throughout the district. During this week, every day was a dress-up day for the elementary, middle, and high school. 

When students entered the building on Monday there was an FFA emblem scavenger hunt in all the buildings and once a student found an emblem they turned it in for a candy prize! It was so fun to see the students in all grades finding hidden emblems all week. 

Monday was sleepy farmer day, where students got to wear their pajamas with boots. The FFA officers also made a quiz to educate the entire high school about agriculture in Paulding County. The students took the quiz and once they got 100% they were given a cookie donated by Ag Credit. 

On Tuesday, we had Show Day, where students wore fair show clothing like boots and nice flannels. The Paulding FFA also held their 3rd annual Farmer Appreciation breakfast to give back to the community and all the farmers for all of their support. 

On Wednesday, the dress-up day was Redneck Day. 

Thursday was FFA shirt day where the chapter hosted our annual staff appreciation lunch. 

Friday’s dress-up day was patriotic cowboys day. The Paulding FFA hosted its annual Country Olympics with the entire high school in attendance. The students competed in a wide variety of games and competitions with their teams. These games consisted of balloon stomp, pie eating contest, tug of war, seed spitting, cattle roping, musical chairs, a sack race, a wheelbarrow race, and a milking contest. Blayne Pease and Blake Rhonehouse were the cornhole champions for 2026 and claimed their prize of $100 cash at the end of the games. 

The students had an enjoyable day at the Country Olympics and are very excited for next year. We want to give a big thanks to everyone for their support and dedication to the Paulding FFA Chapter! 

By: Asia Brubaker

On Saturday, the 21st, the Fairview FFA Chapter held its annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction. The event brought together community members, families, and supporters for a morning of great food, all while supporting our local chapter.

As a chapter, we would like to give a huge thank-you to the many local businesses and community members who donated items for the silent auction or gave their time to help make the event a success. Your continued support means so much to our chapter and directly impacts the opportunities available to our members.

Because of the generosity of our community, this year’s Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction was another success. We are incredibly grateful for the support and look forward to representing Fairview as 11 of our members receive their State FFA Degrees this spring. 

By: Vivi Myers, Paulding FFA Reporter 

At the end of January, the Paulding FFA secretary, treasurer, and reporter’s books were evaluated and graded. 

The chapter received  a GOLD rating on all three record books. The chapter is so proud of Myrriah Manz, Mariah Klopfenstein, and Vivi Myers for all of their hard work in earning a triple crown for their chapter. 

For the secretary book, Myrriah Manz had to collect all of the meeting minutes and agendas from the year. She also had to write programs for the activities, keep attendance records, and collect correspondence from this school year.

For the treasurer book, Mariah Klopfenstein had to take month-by-month reports and balance the account based on what came in, and what is left in the account. She had to figure out each student’s financial records and kept records of the receipts and disbursements. Mariah also had to keep reports of the beginning and ending balance for each meeting. 

For the reporter’s book, Vivi Myers had to write and then collect newspaper articles and pictures throughout the year to use in the scrapbook. She had to put captions under all the pictures she used and make sure that every page was decorated nicely. 

These officers did an amazing job and our chapter is very proud of all of the hard work that they put into their books. They will each get to walk across the stage at the Ohio FFA State Convention in May for their Gold Ratings.

AgCredit, one of northern Ohio’s largest lenders for farmers, rural homeowners and agribusiness, recently announced that it is awarding $135,900 in Mission Fund grants to 14 community organizations in support of their efforts to improve the quality of life in communities primarily within the cooperative’s 18-county service territory. 

Paulding FFA is one of this year’s recipients of the grant, receiving $12,600.00. These funds will be used to make repairs to the FFA’s commercial-grade greenhouse. The greenhouse was constructed in 2007 and is operated and maintained by Paulding Exempted Village Schools and the Ag Education students. It offers students valuable, hands-on experience in managing and operating a commercial greenhouse. 

“We’re proud to be able to invest in the local community for projects like this, where students are learning and understanding the positive impact of agriculture in their communities”, said Matt Adams, AgCredit Lending Manager. 

Now in its eighth year, the Mission Fund supports AgCredit’s commitment to investing in the future of agriculture and positively impacting the quality of life in rural Ohio. Recipients were selected based on their proposals to meet criteria in one or more of four key areas: Education, environment, technology and quality of rural life. 

Following are all of AgCredit’s 2025 Mission Fund grant recipients:

• Bellevue Fire Department, Huron County, $10,000

• Central Lorain County Joint Ambulance District, Lorain County, $10,000

• Fort Jennings Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County, $8,000

• Lucas County Ag Society, Lucas County, $15,000

• Ottawa Volunteer Fire Department, Putnam County, $2,026.76

• Paulding FFA, Paulding County, $12,600

• Payne Fire Association, Paulding County, $7,500

• Pemberville Freedom Fire Department, Wood County, $5,000

• Portage Fire District Firefighters Association, Ottawa County, $6,000

• Putnam County Rabbit Poultry Committee, Putnam County, $14,850

• Van Wert County Ag Society, Van Wert County, $15,000

• Vermillion FFA, Erie County, $7,500

• Western Reserve Ag Ed Department, Huron County, $7,500

• Wyandot County Ag Society, Wyandot County, $15,000

Organizations may apply for Mission Fund grants of up to $15,000 per year. The 2026 application process will begin in March, and funds will be distributed by Dec. 31. For more information about the lending cooperative or the Mission Fund, visit AgCredit.net.