Nine-year-old Eli Okuley, a Bluffton fourth grader, is a first year 4-H member of the Beaverdam Bunch 4-H Club.

He attended the 2013 Allen County Fair and entered Breeding Rabbits as his project. Eli's interest in rabbits began at the age of 5 when he obtained his first rabbit, a Dutch breed at a garage sale and named her Sophie. That same garage sale rabbit attended the Allen County Fair this year and helped him receive his Showmanship award. 

Eli plans on entering more rabbit shows and continuing 4-H. And yes, evidently owning one rabbit leads to owning more. Within the last two years, Eli has purchased more rabbits to raise and as a result, has received many other awards this past week for his rabbits and his hard work.

His accomplishments of showing in 4-H at the Allen County Fair include: 3rd place A.R.B.A. Showmanship beginner division, 2nd place Dutch buck, and 2nd place Breed Judging beginner division. Eli received all A grades on each of his 3 Dutch 4-H rabbits entered and was awarded an Outstanding Livestock Interview award.

While attending the Allen County Fair, Eli also entered his rabbits in the Youth Open A.R.B.A. show. He received Best of Breed Dutch, and Best Opposite Breed Dutch, 5th place Showmanship beginner division, 1st place Best of Variety Chocolate Dutch, 1st place Best Opposite Sex Variety Tortoise Dutch, 1st place Best of Variety Black Dutch, 1st place Best of Variety Tortoise Dutch, 1st place Best of Variety Grey Dutch. 

He is a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. 

Eli currently owns seven Dutch rabbits which he plans on breeding them this winter to expand his herd. 

Eli is the son of Bruce and Carole Okuley of Bluffton, the grandson of Gerald and Helen Brooks of Bluffton.