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Fair and exhibition cancellations impact youth programs as supporters seek to find solutions by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen
The coronavirus pandemic of 2020, known by most as COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on global economies as businesses of shuttered and social activities have been nixed. While the disease itself seems to have little impact on young, healthy Americans, the youth have not been unscathed by the wild turn of events seen in the U.S. since the first case of the Chinese-born respiratory infection was confirmed in Washington State on Jan. 20. When school closures were announced in early March, impacting 6.1 million California students, followed by the ceasing of all contact sports and spectator events for the remainder of the spring, many in rural communities were hopeful that the bulk of the pandemic’s ripple effects would end by the time summer activities were getting underway. However it wasn’t long before decisions to end long-held agriculture traditions would soon be made. With the early announcement of the cancellation of the Alameda County Fair hopes of a normal summer began to be dashed and the April 24 announcement of the cancellation of the California State Fair was the nail in the coffin for many who 4-H and FFA youth who had spent the spring raising their fair projects for exhibition. While not all exhibitors have their opportunity to market their animals at Cal Expo for the State Fair, the top stock brings upwards of $300,000 each year with other fairs like San Diego County’s Del Mar and Napa County fairs grossing into the millions of dollars raised on behalf of 4-H and FFA youth. For those in the livestock community whose family traditions revolve around summer fairs, it was bad enough but for the kids relying on the sale of summer annual livestock projects to build college savings accounts, it was salt in their wounds to know their work may be all for not. Many former exhibitors, buyers, sponsors and others immediately took notice of the cancellations and the ramifications they could have on youth programs and put their heads together to come up with solutions. Though some junior livestock shows and sales are being cancelled entirely, leaving youth out in the cold, there are a myriad of local fair boards committed to helping their exhibitors sell their animals, albeit by a less traditional avenue. Just as the livestock industry as a whole has become more familiar with online sales, junior livestock auctions 12 California Cattleman June 2020
in Northern California have resorted to using online sale management to help their youth market their livestock projects. The Silver Dollar Fair in Chico, held late last month announced its event cancellations early, but remained committed to helping its junior livestock auction still to take place by utilizing BidCal, an online auction company based in Chico. Tehama County District Fair also made the early call to cancel its fair, but proceeded to hold a virtual livestock auction that took place May 16 and 17. Entries were submitted online with 60- to 90-second videos that were uploaded via YouTube. The videos would be used both in ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
