4-H and FFA projects going from farm to fair

Despite some Western Montana Fair event cancellations, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members are still able to exhibit their projects but without spectators due to COVID-19 risks.

Missoula County Fairgrounds Events & Operations Manager Billie Ayers and Fairgrounds Director Emily Brock together with the Fair Office partnered with the 4-H, FFA and Missoula County Commissioners, sponsors and volunteers to support the 4-H and FFA organizations in their ability to show at the fair.

"We are working in connection with the health department to establish guidelines for social distancing, masks and proper hygiene to ensure the shows and livestock sale go forward," Ayers said.

During a June 22 meeting with the Board of County Commissioners 4-H and FFA members had a voice. Members shared how they are impacted by their organizations and why exhibiting at the Fair is important.

Missoula County 4-H Extension Agent for Youth Development Campbell Barrett said,

"I think their comments were very eye-opening for those who may not have been very familiar with the 4-H or FFA programs prior to that meeting."

Barrett added Ayers and Brock have been very supportive of 4-H in general and specifically in their commitment to helping kids exhibit this year.

Ayers created some marketing ideas to highlight 4-H and FFA project work normally unseen by the public. One of these are the 'Pen Portraits', which show members working with their projects at home. Ayers and Brock professionally photographed kids with their animals and collected their stories to create more awareness of the work that 4-H and FFA requires before Fair time. 

These will be available for viewing in July once a sponsor has been finalized. The portraits will be accessible on Facebook and online at WesternMontanaFair.com.

Barrett thinks the positive in-person exhibition/competition opportunity that is being made available to 4-H and FFA by the community's cooperation is an important part of healing the mental strain and uncertainty from cancellations and bad news members have been subjected to throughout the past three months.

"In these challenging times, sometimes it is necessary to remember what makes the Fair so special," said Ayers.

She said the Fair is the only community activity that annually takes record of the best in the best for the county and the region. "It's a community competition and celebration all in one and what makes it so special is that it is accessible to everyone," she added.

Some 4-H project events including the horse show, dog show, archery and shooting sports are judged prior to the fair and will remain so this year. These events will follow the same guidelines as other livestock shows regarding distancing, hygiene and mask usage. The competitions will be closed to the public but available online in video reveals and perhaps a live stream.

Traditional 4-H interview days will be by appointment. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed so members can have their projects judged in person.

During Fair week, livestock projects will not be staying overnight, but trailered in, shown and trailered out in one day. Fair week is not open to the public, the fair will be brought to the public this year online.

"We will be showing one species per day so classes like market, breeding and showmanship will all be on the same day." Ayers added that Showmanship winners will reconvene on Friday, Aug. 7 for the Round Robin.

4-H non-animal projects will be entered in the Culinary Building and stay there until photographs and winners are announced online. Again there will be no public viewing.

Regarding the 4-H and FFA livestock sale, Ayers said they are able to continue a live, in-person livestock judging but public spectators will not be allowed. The sale will be Saturday Aug. 8 with only buyers allowed in attendance. Buyers will sit appropriately distanced but all interested potential buyers are wanted to attend. The 4-H office reminds the public of the option for proxy buyers if they cannot attend the sale.

Livestock will trailer in, go through the ring and load out to a sorting location. Interested buyers can pre-register with the Extension Office.

"We are hoping to live stream or do online video reveals of the winners," said Ayers. This process would allow livestock to be judged live and in person.

There are also new categories this year for open class exhibits. "Covid Cures" is a class dedicated to capturing essays, photos, videos and crafts that capture Western Montana's resilience during the coronavirus pandemic.

Also, photography has moved to 100% digital allowing entries to increase from the previous limit of three to now 20 entries accepted. Winners will receive professional prints of their entry and a critique from the photography instructors at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography who took over the division this year.

All winning entries will be photographed and then revealed online during the traditional Fair week. Ayers said some divisions are being extended to the following week so we will have lots of news to share throughout the month of August.

Ayers said the pandemic has forced them to question everything. "It's been a challenge but from this necessity we have developed a number of outreaching initiatives that will likely become a permanent feature of the Fair going forward."

For more information including announcements, open class fair entries, livestream events, class winner notifications and rodeo ticket registration visit WesternMontanaFair.com

Ayers added that people can help the fair this year by just going online to WesternMontanaFair.com and making a donation or by sharing their favorite Fair memory.

Ayers said, "We don't want to let the virus win."