Ken Metzler is smelling the roses, one might say, as he concludes a 26-year run as leader of the Elkhart County 4-H Dairy Feeder Calf Club. When interviewed last Wednesday, Metzler said he was cherishing the special moments that were unfolding during his final year as a 4-H leader.
One such moment occurred last Tuesday during the grand drive for dairy feeder calves. A first year 4-H'er, Corbin Eash of Middlebury, showed the grand champion, but Corbin didn't immediately understand what had just happened. After a few seconds, the expression on his face changed from puzzlement to pure joy.
"That'll be one of my memories," Metzler said. "Right now, that's the big one, but there are so many this year."
The Goshen resident said parents and former members thanked him last week for his many years of volunteer service. He said it has been fun reminiscing with them.
"I just believe in the club," he said. "I've seen the different people who have gone through and where they are at now and what they are doing. A lot of them are business owners. They have done very well. They come back and bring their kids. I'm seeing second and, in some cases, third generations coming through. It's pretty rewarding."
Prior to the dairy feeder calf show last Tuesday, the club formally honored Metzler for over two decades of leadership.
"For so many years, you've poured your heart into this club, not because you had to, but because you genuinely cared," said Krista Kerns, president of the Dairy Feeder Calf Club advisory board. "You made sure every member felt welcome, every family had what they needed, and every child had the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed."
Growing up across from the fairgrounds, Metzler was familiar with the fair but was never a 4-H member. His first experience with the youth organization came as a parent. His daughter became a member of the cat club and then, at the urging of a relative, joined the dairy feeder group. A year later, his son showed a dairy feeder calf at the fair. Both of his children went on to become 10-year members.
After his children aged out of 4-H, Metzler said he continued helping out. He eventually became the leader.
"I have always worked with young people," he said. "I have always felt drawn to working with them. When my kids got in (4-H), it just became a natural transition to help them. Then I got so involved in the feeder calf part of it. I loved it."
Metzler said his "biggest pleasure" has been helping young people with questions and pointing them in the right direction.
There have been many sacrifices along the way. Because of his 4-H responsibilities, Metzler said he has missed many family events, left in the middle of a weekend camping trip and passed on taking family vacations.
"I felt a responsibility for things happening," he said. "People expected me to do it, so I did it. And I live close to the fairgrounds even now, so it's almost a pleasure to come out here. Even in the off-season, I'm here at least once a week and sometimes more."
For about a decade, Metzler's wife, Paula, served as co-manager of the club's food stand, the Dairy Feeder Calf-a'.
At age 69, Metzler said he is ready to pass the baton to Tim Stutzman and Monica Kingdon, who will co-lead the club in 2027.
When asked what advice he would give to other 4-H leaders, Metzler offered four tips:
• Don't look at rules as a way of keeping people out. Look at rules as a way of keeping people in.
• Always have a little bit of give and take.
• "Kids need to learn responsibility, yes, but there are times when things happen that are unavoidable. Most of the times, the unavoidable is not their fault."
• Always give the benefit of the doubt.
Additionally, he said 4-H leaders should never compromise their personal integrity.
Regarding the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, Metzler has some advice for the fair board: Remember your 4-H roots.
"I've always wanted to ask (at a fair board meeting), how many of you came up in 4-H, how many of your kids are in 4-H, and how many of your grandkids are in 4-H?" Metzler said. "Keep that in mind when you're making decisions. It's a good program, and it's worthy of taking care of. Sometimes it seems like it's getting more difficult."
When asked to clarify that point, Metzler said he is concerned that 4-H may be overshadowed at times by the commercial aspects of the fair.
In his retirement, Metzler said he and Paula plan to go on many worry-free camping trips. They are also looking forward to cheering on their granddaughter as she competes in the dairy feeder calf project. 2026 was her first year in 4-H.
"I'm going to thoroughly enjoy that," he said.