Letters to the Editor
Geauga’s Agricultural History
The Geauga Learn Program celebrated its 10th year this year by hosting 422 Geauga County sixth-graders at The Great Geauga County Fair. Two hundred forty-one families returned to the fair to enjoy the free passes provided to them through the program.
While a state legislator, I was talking with fourth-graders at a school in the western portion of Geauga County when a student asked me, “Is it true that chocolate milk comes from a brown cow?” While at first I thought the student was joking, it turned out that it was a serious question — and serious indeed for Geauga County.
Agriculture is still the #1 business in Geauga County. Our agricultural landscape and traditional family values are what makes Geauga County such a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
That experience led me, my wife state Rep. Diane Grendell, Helen Scheuring, from Hambden Township, and John Ralph, of Chardon, to initiate the Geauga Learn Program at The Great Geauga County Fair, with the help of Howard Bates and the fair board.
During the past decade, nearly 5,000 Geauga County students have participated in the Geauga Learn Program, learning about agriculture, Geauga County history, U.S. Military history, earth science and natural resources, at The Great Geauga County Fair.
The success of the program year in and year out hinges on its many partners, who donate their time and resources to ensure that participating Geauga County students learn about and experience the county’s agricultural heritage at The Great Geauga County Fair.
I am grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their support and dedication to the success of the Geauga Learn Program: The Great Geauga County Fair Board, Hambden Grange, Burton American Legion, Geauga Farm Bureau (especially Bob Sage and Jerry Mitchell), Geauga Soil and Water (especially Camille Shale), Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Kenston Schools (especially Superintendent Nancy Santilli and middle school Principal Pat Brockway), West Geauga Schools (especially Superintendent Dr. Rich Markwardt, Jim Kish and middle school Principal Ron Dahlhofer), St. Anselm School, St. Helen School, St. Joan of Arc School, various state legislators, Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and the wonderful employees of the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court.
Educating Geauga County’s youth about its agricultural heritage and rich history helps ensure Geauga County’s future, and I look forward to working with Geauga Learn’s community partners to bring another round of sixth-graders through The Great Geauga County Fair again next year.
Timothy J. Grendell
Judge, Geauga Probate/Juvenile Court
