Situation

County Fairs and Extension go hand in hand.  This has been true in Crittenden County for decades.  The Crittenden County Extension agents have partnered with the Crittenden County Lions Club to conduct an annual county fair for many years.  However over the years, the Lion’s club building that housed the exhibits started to have roof leaks and no heat or air.  Eventually, cats were able to gain access to the building and eat the food displays and high temperatures caused exhibits to melt, requiring the exhibits to be moved to a different location off-site and not accessible to fair attendees.

Educational Response

In response, the Crittenden county extension agents worked with the Lions Club members to write a grant to submit to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Shows and Fairs for a new fair building. The club received $100,000 from KDA with the final cost of the building being $250,000. To dedicate the new building the Crittenden County Extension Council planned a fair breakfast (prepared and served by 4-H members and parents as a fundraiser) which would include recognition of fair winners and Lions Club Member of the Year Award.  

Outcome

The Crittenden County Extension Council appointed a committee of members representing 4-H, FCS and ANR along with Lion Club members to plan the breakfast.   They recruited Warren Beeler from the Governor's Office for Agriculture Policy and Ryan Quarles, the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture as speakers. Beeler, the keynote speaker, spoke on the impact county fairs have on communities and the development of 4-H youth.  Quarles stated, ”I can see that agriculture’s roots run deep here and I am proud to be here for today’s ribbon cutting. County fairs and the local extension service are key players in the state’s mission to educate citizens about the importance of agriculture.” The Lions Club has officially named the building the Crittenden County Agriculture Building. 

With the addition of this building, 4-H and open fair exhibits will now be able to be displayed on the fairgrounds during the county fair.  The building also offers opportunity for the Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Service to have access to the larger meeting space for programs, events, and banquets.

Over 100 people attended the breakfast. The tables were adorned with fair memorabilia, old fair catalogs (some dated back to the 1930’s) and 4-H country hams ready to go to the state fair.  For the first time in several years, fair exhibits were at the actual fair!  There were over 187 4-H exhibits on display for them to see.  Forage quality entries were up by 70%.  Gardening exhibits were added. The Extension Homemakers and Crittenden County 4-H Council donated $250 each to the table and chair fund.  The extension Homemaker's dedicated a table and chairs in honor and recognition of one of their long time members and dedicated volunteer.  The committee has met following the breakfast and plans are underway for next year’s fair breakfast. Additional awards will be added including awards such as Agriculture Business of the Year and Agriculture Hall of Fame.