A new initiative has already been deemed a success, but one group is looking to add even more funding to support local 4-H’ers.

A group of Home State Bank employees started the “Friends of the Fair” program that collects donations to give to each Greene County 4-H’er at the Junior Premium Auction that is held on the final day of the county fair. Co-organizer Ashley Johnston talks about the new program and had no concern about reaching and surpassing their $5,000 goal.

“We really thought we would (reach our goal). A lot of the people we wanted to reach were people that just weren’t aware of the premium auction, weren’t able to go because their businesses are open (during the auction). Those are the people that we really wanted to target and just to get them involved. We’ve had great success in that. We’ve had about 20 donators all local businesses, so we’re really happy with how our first year turned out.”  

Johnston points out any donation will help give even more funds to the 4-H’ers, as the total amount will be divided evenly to each 150 Greene County 4-H’er in addition to what each kid will receive at the auction. She explains the importance of supporting the youth.

“Well our 4-H’ers work hard, some of them all year long, all their projects, they put a lot of work into them. This is a good way to recognize their efforts. We’re always trying to grow our 4-H program. This is a good way to reward their hard work, show the community support, and just continue to support our youth.”      

Johnston adds donations will be accepted until the auction at 8am on Monday, July 18th at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds. Donations can be made to the Greene County Fair Foundation ℅ Friends of the Fair and dropped off at Home State Bank. Any donation is also tax deductible.