Teenager thinks big for his fair project

By Geri McShane, assistant editor

It’s hard to miss Devin Yost’s project in the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Freeborn County Fair.

The pontoon boat sits in the center aisle of the building and Yost admits that while he’s made a few large-scale 4-H projects in the past, this one is the biggest yet.

Yost, 18, got the idea to turn a used pontoon boat into a blind for duck and goose hunting from his dad and his friends. &8220;They wanted something more comfortable for hunting,&8221; he said.

While he built it a couple years ago and used it, his project this year involved cleaning it up, making all the brackets for it, painting it a marsh camouflage pattern, putting in new carpet and adding fast grass around the top to shield the passengers from unsuspecting waterfowl.

It took him a couple weeks of nights and weekends to get the job done.

&8220;I discovered I’m not the neatest carpet layer,&8221; Yost admitted. &8220;And when it got hot it was hard to stay motivated.&8221;

But the job got done and Yost was pleased with the results. &8220;I plan to use it this fall,&8221; he said.

Judges were also pleased, awarding Yost and grand champion ribbon on the shooting sports project.

He’s gotten lots of comments on the project ranging from &8220;pretty neat&8221; to &8220;it sure takes up plenty of space&8221; and &8220;it sure fills up the building nicely.&8221;

&8220;It was a trick getting it in the building,&8221; Yost admitted.

The son of Don and Julie Yost is a 2006 graduate of Glenville-Emmons High School. He’s been involved in the Nunda 4-H Club since he was old enough

to be a Cloverbud (second grade). In recent years

he has also

made a ground blind deer stand and a tower blind deer stand. He also shows hogs.

Yost plans to attend South Central Technical College and major in agronomy and agribusiness.

&8220;I’m going to farm with my dad &045;&160;and duck hunt,&8221; he said.