Julie Turner-Crawford Fair Season

just a thought

Across The Fence

By Julie Turner-Crawford

I’ve been spending a lot of time at county fairs lately. I love checking out the livestock and catching up with friends I only see at fairs. Some of these friendships go back to when my friends were just youngsters checking in with me at my local county fair or the Missouri Julie Turner-Crawford State Fair when I worked with the Missouri FFA Associa- is a native of Dallas tion. Now their children are showing at those same fairs. County, Mo., where

These folks are my fair family, and I am always glad she grew up on her to see them. family’s farm. She is a

There’s also the food you can only get at a fair. I love a graduate of Missouri good, greasy, deep-fried corn dog at a fair, and a funnel State University. To cake is always a go-to. Barbecued chicken on a stick? Yes, contact Julie, call 1-866please. This year, however, I have refrained from those 532-1960 or by email at tempting delights; it’s just been too hot to eat. editor@ozarksfn.com.

Fairs have been a learning ground for me as well. I have had the opportunity to learn more about other livestock species and animals we didn’t have growing up. Have you ever watched a poultry or rabbit show? I still don’t understand it all, but I watch.

I first saw a Boer goat at the Missouri State Fair in the 1990s. It was the first year for the Boer show, and I remember thinking these were the wildest-looking goats I had ever seen. Today, Boer and other meat goat breeds are a significant part of the agricultural landscape in the Ozarks. Sheep are very popular in the Ozarks as well. Not too long ago, we would only see wooled breeds here and there. Today, however, with the growing popularity of haired breeds, you see more and more of them in pastures and at your local fairs. Haired breeds sometimes outnumber the wool breeds in the ring.

Something I don’t like about fairs, other than record-breaking summer temperatures, is the lack of interest non-agriculture people have in fairs if there aren’t rides, games or other things to amuse them. I often see posts on social media complaining that a fair

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just a thought

Across the Fence

Continued from Previous Page

didn’t have this ride or there were “just animals” at the fair. So boring.

Earlier this week, I had a conversation about a local fair with a lady I have known for nearly 20 years. Having lived in the same community her entire life, she has been to the fair many times but had no idea how many young people participate in the fair, or the work these young people and families do before, during and after the fair. She has never been through the livestock barns, nor has she walked through the building that houses the art, photography, home economics, horticulture and other items; she never knew that part of the fair existed.

I encouraged her to walk around her local fair and see things away from the flashing lights of the carnival and cries from the folks running the games who “guarantee a winner every time.” I also told her she could see the folks who help provide food and other products to her family

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Life Is Simple

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him for a prospective history professor from back east. I introduced myself, we shook hands and I proceeded to help him with a small suitcase and several boxes of his latest book that he would hawk after he spoke.

It would be about four hours before the banquet started, so I asked him if he would like to go to the hotel to rest up, or see some of the sights of Springfield, Mo. I told him that the world headquarters of Bass Pro was in Springfield and that the university also had a farm, if he wanted a tour.

“Thanks for the offer, but does your city have a shopping mall?”

A little surprised, I answered that we did, indeed have a sizeable mall.

“If you could take me there, I’d be mighty with a simple stroll through the barns. When asked, most exhibitors are eager to share information about their animals.

We must continue to support our local fairs, no matter how big or small. For some youngsters, that little ribbon, no matter what color, is something they look forward to all year long.

When you support your local fair, you also show support for your community, its youth and your support for agriculture.

I know budgets are tight, but you can also give the gift of time. I’m sure your local fair board would love to hear from you.

obliged. Christmas is slippin’ up on me and I haven’t got my wife a present, yet.”

On our way to and from the mall, we visited about writing, speaking, and entertaining. I had just started dabbling in writing a column at that time, and was published in a whopping, two newspapers. He encouraged me to keep at it, but warned, “You’ll never make any money from writin’, but gettin’ your name out there will let you get some speaking gigs, and that,” he said with a wink and a smile, “is where the money is!”

I offered to walk through the mall with him, but he politely declined. “Gettin’ something for the Missus, is kinda personal.”

About an hour later, he returned with a small bag. I didn’t ask, and he didn’t tell.