Results in record-setting proceeds for 4-H Youth and Scholarship Fund
Local community businesses and individuals smashed auction records on Saturday night, August 13, at the annual 4-H Jr. Fair Livestock Auction at the 125th Cuyahoga County Fair, doubling the previous year proceeds, for a total of $61,680. The auction, sponsored by Animal Science Committee and the Cuyahoga County 4-H, brings to sale 4-H youth projects and items to benefit the Bruce Kucharski Sr. Scholarship Fund.
Community support for the 4-H auction has grown exponentially. “In 2005, the sale raised $6,100 for 4-H youth, and has grown 10 times since then,” said Amy Gasbarre, auction accountant. In total, the North Royalton Homesteader 4-H Club livestock projects contributed to just over half of total sale proceeds.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this growing support for our local 4-H youth, who are making the very deliberate choice to dedicate significant time and effort to learn how to grow high-quality food,” said Lindsay Kostal, DVM, owner of Greystone Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care, located in nearby Seven Hills. As a 4-H alumna herself and longtime bidder and buyer at the auction, Dr. Kostal again generously supported the 4-H livestock auction, purchasing 11 items in total.
Record-setting prices from the auction included an impressive $24.50 per pound for the Grand Champion lamb ($3,356.50), raised by Natalie Fitzgerald and purchased by Dr. Kostal. This price topped Medina’s 4-H grand champion lamb sale ($3,000) and was competitive with other agriculture-heavy counties like Summit County ($27.50/pound grand champion lamb).
“As a former 4-H’er herself, Dr. Kostal understands the time, effort, and money that go into learning how to raise high-quality livestock, and I appreciate that she shows up every year to support me, our Club, and 4-H’ers in our county,” said Natalie Fitzgerald, 4-H member.
Another record-setting bid was made by Tod Carney of Brecksville Insurance Agency, who purchased the Grand Champion Steer (885 pounds) for $10/pound from Ben Hechko, a price that rivals other nearby county 4-H steer sales. Ben’s brother Alex Hechko also sold his steer at the sale (6th place; 945 pounds), which was purchased by Mark DiDonato of Cleveland for $4.75 per pound. “This is our second year raising steer, and we are grateful to our very generous buyers,” said brothers Ben and Alex. “Our money will be deposited into our college funds after we each donate $100 to a charity of our choice.”
Generous bids continued in the auction ring, with Dr. Kostal of Greystone Veterinary purchasing both the Grand Champion turkey ($400) and Grand Champion Chicken pens ($425). Dr. Kostal also purchased Homesteader Henry Pierce’s 1,300 pound Black Angus ($4.25/pound), as well as extra pens of chickens. New buyer to the livestock auction, Tony Nasrallah, CEO of Ground Works Land Design, purchased Pierce’s pen of turkeys (3rd place; $525), and longtime auction supporter Phoenix Ink & Beauty CEO, Angelique O’Brien, purchased NR Homesteader Kayla Kucharski’s market chickens ($525), both purchases notching record-setting prices.
NR Homesteaders alumni support was strong, especially from the Durda family, with Jacob Durda purchasing the Grand Champion pen of ducks as well as a lamb, both raised by Natalie Fitzgerald of the NR Homesteaders. “My support rewards kids for their hard work in raising animals and learning valuable skills.” His brother Jon Durda purchased a scholarship fund item, saying, “I always support the Bruce Kucharski Sr. Scholarship Fund each year, as Bruce was instrumental in the creation of the animal science program in the county,” said Jon. “Every year, I make sure to give back to the 4-H program that helped me as a young boy develop into a man and taught me so much.” The 4-H program has always been a family affair for them. John Sr. and Beth work at the open class sheep and rabbit barns respectively, and Beth notes that the family “supports the auction to give today’s 4-H youth the same experience that our boys had in raising an animal to maturity, while learning the business basics.”
Other strong alumni support also came from Jen Hechko, DDS, owner of Brecksville Kid’s Dentistry, who purchased Reserve Champion Market Chickens raised by Homesteader Owen Szpak, as well as Jackie Bryk Welch, who purchased market chickens and a hog that was split with 4-H alum Alison Ungar. Homesteader alumni family Mike and Barb Barbo purchased Ben Hechko’s 7th place hog, as well as Henry Pierce’s extra pen of turkeys, after they were “turned twice” (purchased and resold) by Cuyahoga County Fair Board and Greystone Veterinary Hospital. Jim Mikesina, former police officer with the Cuyahoga County Fair Board who spend many years securing the 4-H barn, purchased Homesteader Owen Szpak’s Reserve Champion Lamb.
New buyers that also jumped into the livestock auction this year to purchase NR Homesteader projects were Sullivan Orthodontics, who purchased Owen Szpak’s 8th place hog; Mark DiDonato who purchased Alex Hechko’s steer, and Austin Weglicki, who purchased Alex Hechko’s hog. Longtime auction supporters The North Royalton Animal Hospital, Adam Hechko, DVM, Cossel Farms, and Brenda Basham purchased a pen of market turkeys, pens of market chickens, and a lamb respectively.
“Thank you to all of the generous bidders and buyers that came out to support the livestock auction and the Bruce Kucharski Sr. Scholarship Fund – your support is much appreciated, and invaluable in providing this experiential learning program for kids and scholarship support as they age out of 4-H,” said Bruce Kucharski. “Come out and visit the NR Homesteaders Club at our next event, which will be an animal showcase at the upcoming North Royalton Fall Harvest Festival on the NR City Green, Sunday, September 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.” For information about joining the NR Homesteaders 4-H Club, please email Robin at nrhomesteaders4h@gmail.com.
Submitted by Robin Peth-Pierce