ADDENDUM C Kern County 4-H Recommendations for 2018 Kern County 4-H 2017 Kern County Fair Suggestions (updated 10/19/17) 1
Poultry - Very welcoming, check in was great. Layout of barn was planned out well along with great coop tags. Problem - Barn was closed from 8-3 as in the past and some people wanted in. They were from out of town and felt they should be able to get in at any time so they could feed before going home etc.. Solution - Possibly leave the barn open all day or just for exhibitors. (ADMIN) Problem - Award ceremony was great but would like to move back to swine barn for more room. Solution - Move to back to swine barn or possibly get bigger bleachers with more seats. (ADMIN) Problem - Water bowls for meat pens were inadequate. Solution - Add specific instructions for size of water / feeding containers to book. (ADMIN) Problem - pg 18 should be blank for animals on scale for Turkeys, they do not weigh Solution - Change Book to read correct. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - Possibly open the gate at the E. end of the barn in the mornings so it is closer to the dumpster. Solution - Keep gates open in the mornings during cleaning and feeding times. (ADMIN) Swine - SWINE WAS AMAZING THIS YEAR! Problem - Barns are overcrowded Solution - Expand Barn (ADMIN) Sheep - Problem - Power was an issue and xtra boxes on ground were getting wet on ground. Solution - Possibly get them a generator like the beef barn and move portable boxes up from ground. (ADMIN) Problem - Dust between back isles is bad. Also bad between Goat and Sheep barn. Solution - Possibly cement or black top area. (ADMIN) Problem - Shade between Sheep and Goat area is too thin. Does not block out enough sun. Solution - Possibly get a new thicker shade cloth for the area. (ADMIN) Rabbits - Problem - Schedules were changed and text to individuals that signed up for an app.this did not allow exhibitors to be present and ready. They said it was what the judge wanted. Solution - Do not change schedules without the livestock offices approval. * This was actually fixed the same day once it was reported to the office. (ADMIN) Problem - Barn staff was rude and unorganized. Solution - Be organized and polite to everyone. (ADMIN) 2
Rabbits -Cont Problem - Sr. showmanship judge was horrible. Looking at the ceiling etc... Solution - Do not ask him back and get qualified judges. (ADMIN) Problem - Barn was making exhibitors clock in and out for barn duties assigned by the committee. The duties were very lengthy for small kids. Solution - Do not ask exhibitors to clock in and also shorten or do not have duties assigned. No other barn does this. (PARENTS/LEADERS) Dairy - Loved the dairy cattle barn! Problem: Ribbons were handed out late after some classes were over. Solution - Make sure all committees have the ribbons and awards before the start of the show (ADMIN) Problem - Maternity pen and area around it did not seem clean as in the past. Solution - Clean the maternity pen throughout the fair and also clean under bleachers and around it. Hire staff to do this. (ADMIN) Problem - Change the age for Springers to 21-27 rather than 22-30. Some dairies are breeding at 12 months, this would make the heifer 21 months at fair. 30 months is getting OLD! Solution - Change age in book to go with the breeding programs of dairies. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - The same judge was used for the Springer Classes as for Kern Bred show. This should never happen. Solution - When requesting judges, dairy needs two separate judges. (ADMIN) Problem - Registered animals can no longer show in the Springer Class as of 2017, Why? Solution - Add them back in. A registered animal does not mean it is any better than a Grade "regular" heifer. All it means is that the owner has records on it through an association. NOT allowing them to show in a Springer Class at our fair and go for Grand Champion is limiting them from showing at State Fair. All Dairy at State Fair must be registered. All other barns can show a registered animal in the market classes. (ADMIN) Problem - To help increase numbers in the Dairy barn, add a Jersey Springer Class since the numbers went from 2 to 6 this year. Solution - Add a class as stated above. * Some people feel against this. We are not a large enough show to split. (ADMIN) Beef - Problem - During a market class, the names of exhibitors were announced on PA system. Solution - Do not announce any names at the beginning of any class. This should be in all barns. Dairy announces the names as well. (ADMIN) Problem - It was mentioned that next year there would only be 4 classes of Beef? Solution - Keep as stated this year so the exhibitors are spread out and have more classes. 3
Dairy Goats Problem - Add "Wether rate of gain class" this is a class at other shows. Solution - Add class to schedule (ADMIN) Problem - Nigerian Dwarf Class - Re Classify Solution - Change - Jennifer Eyraud to talk with Chris Garmon about if this can be done. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Market Goats Problem - Not sure what happened to the barn assignments? Here is what the 4H list said last year but it did not happen this year? "It was great having our own barn this year. This allowed us to get in on time and also be able to set up decorations etc.. the weekend before. This would be nice if this stayed the same. Pygmy & milking were in another area. Solution - Go back to last 2016 arrangements. You could even allow the clubs that have markets goats to keep theirs in the market Goat pens and the other to be in barn #11. * some people disagree with this and want the pygmy / milking in the main barn. (ADMIN) Problem - Not enough seating in the barn Solution - Switch out the bleachers for taller ones and possibly more. " Poultry will gladly take the current goat bleachers"(admin) Problem - Sick animals should have a VET clearance certificate or something to take home. Goats were told by chairman to leave the grounds that were no longer sick. Also goats were allowed to leave the grounds that were not sick. Solution - All animals that leave should be required to have a Vet certification paper upon leaving. Also only that animal should leave, not any others that the exhibitor has. (ADMIN) Problem - Power Issues Solution - Possibly add generator like Beef Barn (ADMIN) Problem - Shade for Barns. The South Side and The West side have inadequate shade. Solution - Add Shade between the Rabbit and Goat Barns walk way and also add shade between the Beef and Goat Barns, covering the wash rack. (ADMIN) Breeding Does - Excellent Awards. Problem - Wondering why they need to come in on Tues? Solution - Have them arrive on Wed., they don't show until Thursday (ADMIN) Problem - Happy to have a Weather Dam Show! Officially write in for weather dams that they can have scrapie tags or tattoos with registration papers (to make it compliant with scrapie tag rules that are published in the fair book) Solution - Add info to the book (See Shannon Parks for info) (ADMIN) 4
Pygmy Goats Problem - Classes in the book should be alike, not different for each Division Solution - 507 should read the same as 508 for classes. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - Allow the pygmies to leave the grounds either Wed,. night or Thurs. morning for those showing other breeding animals Solution - Allow for pygmies to leave after show. (ADMIN) Problem - Pygmies need to divide up into more classes. Class 1 & 2 Weathers should be in 6 month increments. Class 1-4 Does should be in 4 month increments. Solution - Change Classes to have more (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - No Jr or Sr Champion Weathers (not in compliance with NPGA). Also, they are Best Weather and Reserve Best Weather(not Champions since they're not breeding animals) Solution - Change descriptions in Book to comply with NPGA(LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - Add a Buck show since you allow Boars(swine) and Rams(sheep) in for their shows. Solution - Add Buck Show (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Horses - Major Problems - Horse exhibitors pay 20.00 for a stalling fee, why? (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Judge was from Bakersfield (ADMIN) Judge was talking to scriber while judging. This person should not be talking. (ADMIN) Champions were not drug tested(admin) Buckles listed in book were not given and buckle count is way down(admin) Stakes Class used to win a saddle, now they get a 5.00 bucket with 30.00 products in it. (ADMIN) Stalling is not given out in a timely manner so we can plan(admin) Awards are down. (ADMIN) Add classes (see Meredith H.) Chairman is missing some things and restricting the kids. (ADMIN) Worst ran barn - needs committee revamping. They need communication between exhibitors and committee. This is not happening(admin) Need sponsors - what happened to all the sponsors? (ADMIN) Points value for horses is not right (See Linda M) (ADMIN) Photo area needed so they do not need to go to photo booth by the livestock office. (ADMIN) Solution - Look into revamping the entire Horse program with changes, back to more awards and committee changes. Horse exhibitors are dwindling down to almost none. Jr. Activities - Cotton and Cream Problem - Not enough exhibitors participating. Solution - Add another class to try and bring more kids in. Possibly a costume class.(non sewing) (ADMIN) 5
Goats & Gold Jr. Activities Cont. - Problem - Regular class has now disappeared. This was an outfit that was not a costume and had gold on it. Solution - Add the class back in for 2018. (ADMIN) Ladies & Lad lead Problem - Supreme / Overall winner was someone that was in 3rd place. Not a 1st place winner. Solution - Overall is only from the 1st place in each class. This should have never happened. Person in charge needs to be familiar with the rules. (ADMIN) Pork & Plaid Problem - Classes and descriptions are confusing in the book in regards to costume or regular. Solution - Add clear descriptions in the book(admin) Rabbit and Cavy costume contest Problem - They ran each age group in and then sent them out and brought in the next class. Once all done they brought everyone back in minus the rabbit and display. Solution - Do it all at once or give awards before you send the kids out of the ring. (ADMIN) Fancy Fiber Problem - Division 808 needs to be listed with Jr Activities and not on page 68 of book. Solution - Move to Jr Activities for the next fair book. Its division 808 (ADMIN) Spread the Word Problem - Possibly add this for each individual Solution - Add to all barns. Possibly like "Let's talk about the Flock" This would be for poultry and so on... (ADMIN) Agriculture Mechanics - Problem - Once again, just wondering why do you pay a 23.00 entry fee to not even be judged then you pay another 5% to sell the item. They already pay a fee to enter in Harvest Hall. Solution - Drop the entry fee, this is only a entry to sell. You will get 5% off of them at the sale. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - Not enough people at the sale on Saturday morning. Solution - Possibly move the sale between the goat and lamb sale on Friday. Also allow them to be on display starting on Thursday during auctions in the back of the barn. Problem - A student was refused to turn in his project. He was told that he was late. However he was not late? Solution - Do not turn away projects until you know for sure they are late. (See Kristine Hudson for more information) 6
Alpacas / Llamas - Problem - They were told to leave after the 2nd day on grounds because the dairy people needed room. They did not feel this was necessary as extra space was still available. They would like the option to stay if at all possible. Solution - Allow them all to stay on grounds. They need a cool shaded space. Dairy barn is ok except it seemed as if the Dairy Committee wanted them out. (ADMIN) Problem: Judge was not qualified and did not know what to do. Never even checked Fiber! Solution -Get qualified judges(admin) Problem- Alpacas were not in Round Robin Solution - Add to Round Robin. (ADMIN) Problem- Acquiring a release was a chore. Solution - Let the committee know who has the releases and what to do with them. Committee members were told by clerk that they go to the office and then people started looking for the team leader and said the office told them to find her? (ADMIN) Problem- Obstacle course should be a regulated one. Not just a made up one. Solution - Check with other shows to see what regulations are. (ADMIN) Problem- Stairs on obstacle course is not stable. Solution - Repair stair for next year. (ADMIN) Round Robin Overall it went well. Animals were the best set we have had in years. Problem - NO opening ceremonies this year like in the past. Solution - Add opening ceremonies back in. (ADMIN) Problem - Tie Breaker was not explained prior. Normally they ask questions. After the event,we were told that the high score from each was dropped. This makes no sense as to who the true winner should be. Solution - Look at your policy and possibly come up with a new tie breaker. Possibly Questions? (ADMIN) Problem - Too much talking with other exhibitors and parents/spectators. Solution - Have group leaders that control the exhibitors, as in the past. (ADMIN) Problem - Horses are always worked up because of the other animals. Solution - Possibly move Horse to the Horse arena. (ADMIN) 7
GENERAL Security (Red Shirts) were out in numbers and doing an excellent job. This was really appreciated. No sale cards were awesome! Livestock staff was absolutely great. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming to talk with. Several parents/leaders expressed a Big Thank you to Mike and his crew for making this a great year. Thank you for getting Buyers passes out early. Problem - Bathrooms in Livestock arena need more stalls. We only have 2 stalls for all the livestock. Portable restroom near was always dirty and full at times. Solution - Expand livestock bathroom or add more portables and hand washing stations near this location that are kept clean. (ADMIN) Problem - Some people would like to see the shows staggered so 4h events are not in several rings at one time. Solution - Look into moving some of the schedule around. (LIVESTOCK BOOK) Problem - Timetable in front of book needs to match the schedules or event times in each specie. Also list location of event. Solution - Proof read and make sure all times/ dates are correct and add location for events. (ADMIN) Problem - Parking for out of town exhibitors trailers in gate 39 was a problem. This was a huge problem on check in day. There is no place to park once we drop off animals. Solution - Possibly have an area for exhibitors that travel over 20 miles to allow them to park and stay. (ADMIN) Problem- Flag Salutes and opening ceremonies should be done at each auction. This was not done this year. Solution - Arrange with committees prior to the auction to do this. (ADMIN) Problem - Look into the fitting rule and make it consistent in all barns. Some barns you can help lead etc.. and other barns you can not. Also look into changing the fitting rule about the kids getting no help. The younger kids need help. Solution - Have the book read the same as state rule # 32 of the State Rules. Also have all barns hold a parent/ leader and exhibitor meeting to explain the rules and show times etc.. (ADMIN) Problem - If s exhibitor gets in trouble for something, we as leaders would like to be notified since we signed the entries. Solution - Notify leaders / advisors when a problem arises with their students / members. (ADMIN) Problem - Gate 40- parking lot was hard to park in at times with big trucks sticking out. Solution - Possibly slant the stripes more. Also do not allow people to set up tables in the parking lot area They are taking up spaces. (ADMIN) Problem - Exhibitor packets were great except if a exhibitor is in 4H and FFA, you need to give all passes, chute tags etc.. to one organization. Solution - Give everything to one organization (ADMIN) 8
GENERAL Cont. Problem - Independents are showing in pen of 3, pen of 6 etc.. in some barns. How can this be? They are independent / Individuals not a group. If this is the case than any 4-H or FFA exhibitors should be allowed to group together. They do not need to be from the same 4H or FFA group. Solution - Delete the Independent Group Pens they are individuals not participating with a group. (ADMIN) Harvest Hall - Problem - Check in was confusing and workers did not know what to do. Staff was very rude and at times yelling at the exhibitors/parents. Making exhibitors stand in several different lines is confusing. Solution - Have workers /staff more knowledgeable, train them. Also possibly go back to checking in by last name and only and one check in area. Do not ask people back to help that are rude. (ADMIN) 9