Tim Rhoades has been involved with the 4-H program in Darke County for 46 years.
Not only did he show in the Beef Cattle Department in 4-H and Greenville FFA, the 1972 Gettysburg High School graduate, became an adviser for the club.
“It’s a wonderful experience working with the kids,” he said. “My reason for being a volunteer is simply the fact that I love doing this for them and their future! I love what 4-H stands for and the impact it has on our future adults.”
Rhoades said he showed for 12 years in the Beef Club and, after one year out, he decided to become an adviser.
He said in his final year of showing, he received eight trophies and won Grand Steer and reserve as an individual.
Tim, 67, is the youngest of three sons of Sue A. Christian and the late Ned Rhoades, who died in 1974.
Today, he and wife Connie are the parents of three daughters, Trisha Subler, Tiffany Bergman and Tia Grilliot. There are also 11 grandchildren, three of which are showing cattle.
The Rhoadeses camp on the fairgrounds during fair week.
One of his main jobs this year was to keep their cattle cool with water and fans with the grueling heat.
Tim likes the new cattle barn that was built in recent years following a fire. He even served on the committee that built the new barn.
He is currently sprayer operator for Co-Alliance in Versailles. Prior to that, he worked 35 years for Weaver Brothers managing the company’s farms.
Daughter Tia is following in his footsteps as a 4-H adviser.