The Schnecksville Community Fair has announced its president, Emory Minnich, received the Lehigh County Farm Bureau Award for Outstanding Service to Lehigh County Agriculture.

The award was presented by county Farm Bureau President Bill Boyd on Agricultural Recognition Night on Aug. 31 at The Great Allentown Fair.

According to the news release, Minnich was the eldest of seven children born to Russell and Minerva Minnich, of Weisenberg Township.

He began attending 4-H from age 12 to 18, holding several office positions and winning several awards showing registered Ayrshire dairy cattle at the Kutztown, Reading and Allentown fairs.

Minnich was involved with FFA during high school at Northwestern Lehigh, holding several positions including vice president and president.

This gave him the knowledge to rent land and farm on his own for several years after high school.

He was involved with the Seipstown Grange, assisting at serving dinners, and participating in square dance competitions at Kutztown Folk Festival.

Later, he joined Laurys Grange, serving as master until he was drafted into the Army.

He served as a township supervisor for six years.

An active member of the Schnecksville Fire Company, Minnich served as first vice president for several years, as well as a former trustee and does numerous tasks volunteering.

He has been the president of the Schnecksville Community Fair since 2005, volunteering countless hours overseeing many aspects of the fair.

Minnich handles booking rides and entertainment, upkeep of the grounds and buildings, making repairs on electric and water lines, and taking care of behind-the-scenes correspondence and paperwork.

Every year, he works hard setting up for the fair and tearing down when it’s over.

A true example of volunteer service, he leads the board of directors in monthly meetings and much more, and a more hardworking and dedicated worker cannot be found.