ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Johnson Honored For Work With Fair





Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson, rural Fayette, was honored with the Innovation and Excellence Award from the Ohio Fair Managers Association during a recent convention in Columbus for his service to the Fulton County Fair.

He was one of eight persons honored.

Johnson was a director of the fair for 32 years, from 1981 through 2012. He volunteered during the 2013 fair to help newer fair board members learn their jobs.

He continually looked for ways to improve the fair, increase efficiencies, and educate more people about agricultural heritage of the county, and the role of agriculture in the community and nation.

Early Start

Johnson started showing hogs at the fair as a boy, and was involved in FFA and 4-H at an early age.

As an adult, he was a member of Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Council, and the county Agricultural Society. He also is a member of the county Agriculture Hall of Fame.

A former dairyman, he was instrumental in promoting dairy farming education.

He gave the Fulton County Fair milking parlor an accessible, prominent place complete with a posted milking schedule so fairgoers could observe milking.

Johnson’s enthusiasm for agriculture gets credit for involving a growing number of farmers in the fair.

He encouraged them to bring their cows, display their tractors, and join the other friendly competitions.

Other contributions to the fair include an antique tractor display with well over 100 entries, a tractor maneuverability contest, the junior fair straw loading contest, and Curt’s Kid’s Corner box.

Heritage

One of Johnson’s most visible marks on the fair was the development of the yearly Agricultural Heritage Display, the first of which was in 2007, in honor of the 150th Fulton County Fair anniversary.

Located in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, exhibit themes varied from planting through harvesting.

Each encompassed over 100 items on display, from hand tools to modern-day machines.

He also produced his own professional-quality video of the fair and the many displays as gifts of appreciation to those who participated.

Johnson looked forward to giving school children, including those from central city Toledo, tours of the fair.

He enjoyed talking to children about agriculture and the origin of items found in the grocery store, starting with where milk comes from.

Many children were able to experience a cow being milked.

Loved The Fair

“I always loved the fair as a little kid. It was all about the experience and the fun of the fair,” he said.

“When I was asked to be on the fair board, I didn’t know what I was getting into.

“But it got into my heart and my blood, and it was a good group to work with.

“The fair board was always like family, and I’m proud of the way it worked.

“People would step up and say, ‘Can I help you,’ or, ‘Is there anything I can do to help you.’

“It was nice when I was a kid, and I felt like it was my turn to do something for the kids.”


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