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February/March 2004 Issue
Reality check
by Darrell Anderson
“Should we eliminate competitive livestock and only have educational displays of livestock at the fair?
“Some fairs are doing it and will be at the discussion forums to tell you what worked and what didn’t.”
Those words jumped off the page at me while I was deciding which session to attend at the recent International Association of Fairs and Expositions Annual Conference.
I had been invited to be a speaker at a session scheduled later in the conference, so I was hoping to expand my horizons and take advantage of learning more about the critical issues facing this industry today. The conference participants included fair board members and executives representing the full range of expositions from the smallest county fairs to the largest state fairs and regional stock shows.
I sat in the front row of the meeting, as I didn’t want to miss any of this “round-table” discussion regarding current ag issues. I wondered if that subject from the teaser article in the daily program guide would even come up before this group of industry leaders.
I didn’t have to wait long, as the moderator soon asked how many of the fairs represented in the room had cancelled their competitive livestock events and replaced them with educational displays. I looked around hoping there were no hands in the air – unfortunately I was wrong. The first lady that was called upon represented a very large fair in
I glanced around the room to see how many others seemed intrigued by this idea – I was reassured when I caught the eye of a state fair board member from
He smiled at me as if to say, “Don’t worry, that will never happen in
The good news is that I think he’s right; but the mere fact that this topic was discussed in front of this audience was a reality check for me.
Could something so sacred andspecial to most of us really be eliminated?
I sincerely hope not, but I think we all need to be aware of these types of discussions taking place in various settings around the country.
It seems so strange to me that the very reason most fairs were initiated might someday be removed from the fair scene.
The need to have side-by-side comparisons of breeding stock from various livestock producers was a major driving force that helped establish both county and state fairs.
In addition, a high percentage of you reading this editorial have fond memories of your younger days competing in livestock competitions. For many of us, it was the spark that ignited our passion for this industry, and it truly had life-changing implications.
It is still true today, as evidenced by the phenomenal growth of our National Junior Swine Association (NJSA).
As I visit with various segments of the commercial swine element, I frequently remind them that if organizations like NJSA, 4-H and FFA cease to stimulate interest in the swine industry, who will take up the charge? Competitive swine events are a big component of this training module.
Some of you are in the middle of your show season, while others are just starting to think about making purchases for the upcoming summer. Regardless, let me challenge each of you to do everything possible to sustain the future of livestock shows through your actions. Parents, use these activities to teach life lessons about doing “the right thing.”
All of us need to do a better job of expressing our appreciation for the wonderful staff and volunteers at the many county and state fairs.
These folks are some of our biggest supporters, and without their efforts, our industry would suffer dramatically. Support them, work alongside them, and help communicate the needs of our changing industry to them – you might be surprised by what happens.
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