GREENVILLE – The Darke County Cattlemen’s Association (DCCA), which was awarded the 2023 Outstanding County at the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association banquet in January, held its own annual banquet Saturday night at the Greenville VFW.
The evening was set aside to recognize the hard work of youth in their 2023 beef projects as well as crowning royalty and recognizing a breeder who has had an impact on the beef industry in Darke County.
Darke County Cattlemen’s President Erin Horst welcomed the audience to this year’s event following appetizers.
She led off by showing a video and then introducing two members of the Ohio Beef Council (OBC), Becky Reed, vice-chair of Springfield, and Mark Goecke of Allen County.
Goecke congratulated the members for being named Outstanding County of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Reed talked about the $2 check-offs, a new marketing plan approved for next year, a partnership with the Ohio High School Athletics Association, last year’s launch of the Ohio Beef Passports, all sorts of videos available on YouTube, and the OBC’s online address, ohiobeefcouncil.org.
The 2023 Darke County Junior Fair Queen Elizabeth Brewer assisted in the award presentations that followed.
Introduced were the 2004 queen, Kaitlyn Barga, and princess Grace Graf. Last year’s title-holders were Queen Mikayla Cain and Princess Graf.
Recipients of the Herdsmen Awards were presented by Heinrick Post for the seniors, Tiffiny Hartle for the intermediates, and Lizzy May for the beginners.
Honored in the senior division were Mikayla Cain, first place; Lincoln Winner, second; and Ava Barnett, third.
Receiving awards in the intermediate division were Kaitlyn Barga, first; Ethan Post, second; and Sarah Bergman, third.
Recipients in beginners were Anna Barga, first; Kinley Post, second; and Brayden Widener, third.
Receiving the two $500 scholarships were Addison Marker and Kelsey Muhlenkamp.
Vice President Joe Hartzell presented the Director’s Award to the Andy Byram family, with Byram, wife Jessica, and son Nathan accepting the award. The family was recognized for being involved in 4-H and raising a herd of cattle at their rural Union City, Ohio, farm.
The speaker for the evening was Adam Garman of Chillicothe in Ross County. He is the owner of Buckskinag.
“I grew up on a cattle farm,” said Garman before he went into a series of anecdotes in his comedic presentation. “I have a speech impediment. We take care of the neighbors who look out for each other.”
Before the meeting ended, the gun raffle was held, and door prizes were distributed. Silent auction winners were also announced.
On the agenda was a vote on two issues, which passed, and the election of directors and vote on directors. The results? Megan Cover, Erin Horst, and Bryam and Mark Miller.
“We have our first meeting on March 20, and that will be the meeting where we will vote for officers,” explained Cover. “There is the board that is made up of eight members. Within that, there are the executive board offices… president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.”
Current officers are Erin Horst, president; Joe Hartzell, vice president; Megan Cover, secretary; and Tiffiny Hartle, treasurer. Board members are Heinrick Post, Jake Breymier, Dustin Snyder, Lizzy May, and Caden Buschur, the Darke County OSU education educator who serves as an ex-officio member of the board.
