SmartBanking Blog

It’s hard to believe, but county fair season is here again!

The Pickaway County Fair and fairgrounds have seen some incredible changes in the last few years, and we’re still seeing improvements each year. The Savings Bank and our employees have always been proud supporters of the fairs in every county we serve, and this year, we wanted to chat with a couple of our employees who are especially supportive in Pickaway County.

Jessica Mullins is our Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and Kim Videkovich is our Vice President of Human Resources. Both Jessica and Kim volunteer as 4-H advisors here in Pickaway County. We talked to them about their experiences and what 4-H means to them.

Hi, Kim and Jessica! Could you start by explaining your involvement with Pickaway County 4-H?

JESSICA: I have been involved as a parent of two children that began taking 4-H when they were around the age of 6.  I became an advisor of our club, Westfall Livestock, shortly after my first child joined and have been an advisor now for over 10 years.  Over the past two years I have also served as a member of the Pickaway County 4-H Advisory committee.

KIM: I am an advisor of the Walnut Wonder Workers 4H Club.  My three sons are members of the club.

How did you come to be involved in 4-H in Pickaway County?

JESSICA: Once my children reached the age they could participate in 4-H, I became an involved parent.  I have a soft spot in my heart for 4-H, and when I saw a need in our club and our community to assist and share my knowledge, I jumped at the chance to help.  Our club had one advisor doing it all, and I was happy to help.  As far as the advisory committee, that is an elected position by your advisor colleagues, and they are two year terms.

KIM: I grew-up in 4H. I took cooking projects for 2 years and then market hogs for 8 years. My boys have participated with Hog and Beef projects since they were old enough to join 4H.

Why do you think 4-H is important?

JESSICA: I grew up being involved in 4-H in Fayette County, Ohio so when my children reached the appropriate ages to join, I eagerly wanted them to try it.  4-H instills leadership and work ethic in young children and gives them an opportunity to learn so many different things and compete to show their skills learned.  It is a lot of hard work to prepare for the shows, yet there is a lot of fun intertwined in the learning process.  4-H brings kids together with different interests and bonds them with friendships.  4-H is national, and it can open so many doors of opportunity for any child that puts forth the effort.  It teaches life-long skills that will prepare them for problem-solving through life.

KIM: 4H is a great organization that provides youth with an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons like responsibility, caring for another living thing, time management, etc. So many really great life experiences.

What’s your favorite part of the Pickaway County Fair?

JESSICA: My favorite part of the Pickaway County Fair is our show days.  It makes me so proud to watch my children (and I mean collectively my children of my club) do their thing during their judging and proving what they have learned about their project.  Seeing the smiles on their faces when they get those ribbons is priceless.  Of course, they may not always win, but the things they pick up on each year as a learning experience help mold them into the best role models for the younger members of the club.  Watching each of the young adults grow each year with their skills shows how the 4-H experience has positively impacted each one of them.

KIM: I love spending the week with my family and seeing my boys show their animals

How can others become involved in 4-H or the Pickaway County Fair?

JESSICA: Come out and visit the fair.  If you find something interesting, ask questions.  So many people are willing to show others their projects and share what they do.  You can also visit the Pickaway County Fair website at pickawaycountyfair.org and the OSU Extension website at pickaway.osu.edu then select 4-H Youth Development to find out more information.  Contact the extension office to find out more about joining a 4-H club close to you and just give it a try.  It never hurts to try.

KIM: For kids that want to get involved in 4H, reach out to the extension office in the Fall when clubs start-up for the year.

Thank you, Kim and Jessica, for chatting with us today! Be sure to visit the Pickaway County Fair the beginning the third weekend of June each year (June 18 – 25, 2022), and you can learn more at www.pickawaycountyfair.org.