By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
When Connor Miller of Vickery earned Champion Broiler Pen 1 at the 2023 Sandusky County Fair, he wasn’t permitted to sell his award-winning birds. 4-H poultry exhibitors are not eligible to sell their chickens at Jr. Fair until their third year of showing, and last year was Connor’s second year. He was determined to earn a Champion title at this year’s fair, ensuring that his chickens would bring a top price.
“He was super excited,” said Connor’s 4-H advisor, Mary Ann Miller. “He told his mom, ‘I won it once, and I can win it again. I’ll be back.’”
Connor didn’t make it back to this year’s fair. He was killed at the age of 13 in an automobile accident earlier this summer that also claimed the lives of his father and grandfather. Although Connor wasn’t at the fair, his 4H friends fulfilled is dream for him.
On July 11, Connor took a road trip with his father, Joseph Miller, and his grandfather, Richard Miller, to pick up chickens from a hatchery for Connor’s 4-H project. On the way home, they were killed in an automobile accident in Scipio Township, near Republic in Seneca County, when a driver ran a stop sign. Their family’s life was forever changed, and two counties went into mourning.
Connor’s friends in Target Masters 4-H Club wanted to ensure he was not forgotten.
“Our 4-H club had a meeting about how to honor Connor. They decided to raise money for a rabbit and poultry show pavilion that will be attached to the rabbit and poultry barn at the fairgrounds,” Mary Ann said.
The club members created a Stuff the Chicken fundraiser for the pavilion in Connor’s memory, ensuring that Connor will be a part of the fair forever.
“The kids wanted to raise money for that. The money goes to barn improvements in Connor’s memory. It’s his legacy for all future 4-H kids,” Mary Ann said. “He was bringing his chickens from the hatchery when the accident occurred. He had day-old chickens. It made this even more special because that’s what he was doing when he died.”
During fair week, a pen was reserved for Connor.
“We had a pen in the barn with his name on it to honor him,” said Jr. Fair Livestock Sale Coordinator Becky Geyman.
What the fair board did next brought the agricultural community together to help Connor’s family. Although there were no chickens to sell, the Fair Board added Connor’s name to the Jr. Fair Livestock Advertising Sale.
“He was enrolled in the project, and he was eligible to sell chickens. He just wasn’t able to complete it, so the fair board let our kids stand in the show ring for him,” Mary Ann said.
Connor had dreamed of earning a lot of money at the sale, so his friends earned it for him. The sale raised nearly $25,000 in Connor’s name. All of it was donated to his mother, Jenna Barnes Miller, and his siblings, Haley and Wesley Miller. The hard work Connor invested into his 4-H poultry projects the last two years inspired the generosity that is now helping to support his family.
The sale brought the first glimpse of healing to the community, which found comfort in the chance to circle Connor’s family with compassion.
“It’s such a tragic loss to lose a 4-H member. I’ve known him since he was a baby. That makes it so much more special to help his family,” Mary Ann said. “Young kids in our club lost a friend. He had been at 4-H camp the weekend before, so some of them shared a cabin with him. So many stories are coming out of how Connor touched so many lives.”
Among the dozens of people who supported the family were Seneca County Commissioners Bill Frankart and Anthony Paradiso. As a lifelong farmer, Frankart wasn’t surprised by the outpouring of generosity.
“It definitely goes to show that the community and 4H and FFA families come together to support one another through their trials and tribulations,” Frankart said.
Geyman became overwhelmed as auction paddles were raised over and over again during the sale.
“It brought tears to my eyes. They were so generous,” she said. “Agricultural people take care of their own and take care of their community.”
Information on donating to the Stuff the Chicken fundraiser in Connor’s honor can be found on the QR link below: