06/22/2026
This year, we are honored to dedicate the 2026 Van Buren County Fair to Melvin Carr. Melvin was a dedicated servant, mentor, and supporter of the Van Buren County community who took great pride in his stewardship of livestock and his commitment to agriculture.
"Melvin Carr, a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, was active in farming and raising livestock, such as Dairy Cattle, Sheep and Border Collies. Melvin was always helping and willing to help the youth in farming or raising livestock. He helped many 4-H and FFA members with sheep projects through the years. Helping them pick lambs, for the fair and working with them for payments. In the last 24 years he had not missed the Sheep show at the fair. Many of these years Melvin had lambs from the farm in the show ring. He loved watching his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great nephew show. As his nephew told his daughter, “Uncle Melvin chats between classes, but once a class enters the ring he is all eyes and ears on the ring until the judge is done talking about that class”. He always enjoyed visiting with the 4-H kids, neighbors, and friends and looked forward to those moments. You could even find him chatting with the sheep judge discussing what he disagreed on and asking questions of why."
