The North Royalton Homesteaders 4-H Club members are once again competing at the Cuyahoga County Fair, which takes place August 6-11th at the fairgrounds in Berea. The club, which has been in existence for over 25 years in North Royalton and is 20+ members strong, is a familiar sight around the city, providing a petting zoo for several large community events, including the St. Albert’s Family Festival, the North Royalton Pet Carnival, and the North Royalton Harvest Festival.
North Royalton Homesteaders 4-H Club members will have a record number of market projects for sale at the County Fair’s Livestock Auction this year, including a steer, and many hogs, turkeys, lambs, and chickens. Many of the members also took non-animal projects, including cooking, sewing and science projects.
North Royalton Homesteader member Hannah Stasiuk raised a steer for market the first time ever. Taft, her Hereford, is weighing in at nearly 1,300 pounds, and is finishing nicely.
“It was a difficult—but rewarding experience. I learned that there was a lot more responsibility in raising a steer, compared to the other animals I have raised, such as chickens or goats. I had a lot of fun watching him grow and working with him,” said Hannah.
New Homesteaders 4-H member Izzy Luberger will be bringing her rabbit to the Cuyahoga County Fair for the first time, and has been working hard all year on her rabbit project, learning all she can about rabbits, and completing her 4-H Project Book.
“My first year has been fun. At first, I didn’t know what I was doing but mom helped me, and Henry, another 4-her. I was really excited about getting my rabbit. She’s like family to me. She is my little sister, and my dog is my brother,” said Izzy.
On Thursday of fair week, Izzy, along with several other Homesteader members who own rabbits, will present their rabbit projects at the fair, which will be judged by 4-H alumni (and Ohio 4-H State Fair grand champion lamb, 1975), Tom Sabrey, Director or Rabbits and Cavies for the Cuyahoga County Fair.
“I have been judging the 4-H rabbit showmanship competition for over 20 years and look forward to it every year. I’m even starting to see the children of former 4-H kids in the competition, which is really fun to see – the love of 4-H being passed down in families,” said Sabrey.
Another 4-H alumni and former NR Homesteader, Lisa Todaro, is the Club’s horse advisor, and is helping new members with horses navigate the equine shows and activities.
“Growing up through 4-H has provided me with a lifelong network of friends and mentors, and has taught me countless life lessons, both inside the show ring and out. I am honored to have the opportunity to pass on my love for such a fantastic program and aid in setting this next generation of leaders up for success,” said Todaro.
Todaro has been helping NR Homesteaders Club members Kayla Perez, Nina Bird, and Christina Hauff, who all joined the club this past year and are bringing their horses to fair. The three members recently worked with NR Homesteader alumnus and advisor Todaro to create signs for their horse stalls at the fair.
As members ready their market projects for sale at the livestock auction at the fair, they are thankful for all of the support they have received in the local community.
“We would like to thank our many buyers from last year’s (2018) 4-H Livestock Market Auction, especially Dave and Colleen Nemec of Cherokee Demolition and Nemec Farms, who purchased the Grand Champion hog, Grand Champion turkeys and Grand Champion chicken pens,” said Amy Gasbarre, NR Homesteaders Advisor. “We also would like to thank the many other local individuals and businesses who are longtime supporters of our Club – North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik, Greystone Veterinary Hospital, Augie’s Pizza, Olive Tap, North Royalton Animal Hospital, and Brecksville Kids Dentistry—to name just a few—for their continued support of the Cuyahoga County 4-H Market Auction.”
To support local youth in their efforts to raise high-quality livestock, please join us this year at the Cuyahoga County 4-H Market Livestock Auction, Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 7 p.m. to bid on the many projects for sale. For more information about the auction, please contact Tracy Fitzgerald at tracylynfitz@aol.com.