You could say that Caleb Currence, a member of the Backyard Buddies, has hit the nail on the head with his current 4-H project, which earned him a Holmes County Project Excellence Rosette as well as a trip to the 4-H State Fair competition.

Currence, a three-time 4-H State Fair qualifier at the age of 14, has had plenty of experience going to Columbus and proving his worth in front of a panel of judges on the biggest stage. But pleasing the judges is one thing. Pleasing someone closer to home is somewhat more important for this year’s project.

“I finally got mom off my back,” said Currence with a laugh. “She has been after me for awhile to build this, so I figured it fit right into a 4-H project. I’m glad I could do something for her. She has wanted me to build something for the front porch for quite some time.”

Currence built a bench for the Nailing It Together, Senior Division project he chose to work on this summer. He explored a number of different woods from which to create the bench, but in the end, found that pine was the only wood that was within his budget. After building the bench, he then stained it with a walnut stain, giving it a nicer, richer appearance.

Mom will have to wait until after the fair, where Currence’s bench will be on display for all to appreciate, before she can enjoy the fruits of her son’s labor.

Currence has previously been to the 4-H State Fair for shooting sports, so the woodworking project is something that is new to him.

“This project was fun for me in a different kind of way,” said Currence. “I love outdoor sports, but I also really like working with my hands and making things. This is just something new for me in terms of going down to the State Fair for a project. I don’t expect it will be much different.”