After last years Avian Flu scare and no birds of any kind were allowed at the Clark County Fair, the birds are back!
Last year, 4-H and FFA members were told they weren’t allowed to take their poultry because of the deadly avian flu in Ohio and across the country. This year the Fair Board deemed it safe to have kids bring their birds to to the fair, but just because they are allowed back this year, it doesn’t mean every kid brought them back this year.
The duck barn seems rather empty his year compared to many others because kids were afraid of it being cancelled again this year. Many decided to do miscellaneous projects instead so they would definitely have a project to show at the fair.
“Our numbers have significantly dropped,” Sara Casto, leader of Greenon FFA, said, “It was just the uncertainty of the situation that kept the kids away from showing birds.
Out of the 136 members Greenon FFA, only 12 kids will be showing ducks and only 2 kids showing turkeys. Casto is sure that the numbers will go back in the next few years because it is such a good starting project and she plans to encourage more kids to do them.
Even though the numbers are down for the birds this year, Greenon FFA is still well represented in every barn throughout the fair grounds. Along with the barns, Greenon also has many, many miscellaneous projects in the Youth Building such as, growing tomatoes and other vegetables, photo collages, flower arrangements, welding and woodworking projects, and electrical work.
The worry this week is the heat. The livestock are used to being outside, but kids have to make sure the animals have plenty of fresh, cold water at all times. The animal’s health is the main concern along with keeping the kids hydrated during what may be the hottest week of the summer.
Greenon FFA also has to worry about finding enough kids to work at the corn booth this year. The corn booth is a fundraiser Greenon does every year to raise money for the FFA alumni association. The alumni, then in turn, buys things for the program. In the past the alumni have paid for the white polo shirts the kids wear during dairy feeder shows, helping to buy animals for kids who don’t have buyers lists at the end of fair week, catering farm days during the school year, FFA Camp, and some of the National Convention fees. Local grown corn is sold in the corn booth as FFA kids work every station but the grill.
