Fair Ag Exhibit On A Mission To Educate

By JEANETTE SHAMBAUGH

Moapa Valley Progress

The Agriculture/Small Animal exhibit at the 2018 Clark County Fair and Rodeo will be filled with inspiring, educational and hands on exhibits and activities designed for the whole family to enjoy.

This year, this Agricultural Exhibit will be celebrating the time-honored agricultural practices and traditions that the farming community of Moapa Valley was built upon. It will celebrate all things agricultural; from vegetable gardening to meat, egg and milk production.

Exhibit coordinator Kaluna Aki, with the assistance of many passionate volunteers from the community, has put together an experience that aims to teach the younger generation about the fundamentals and practices of farming. It answers the question: Where does our food come from?
“We are very excited to teach and inspire our youth about the fundamentals of farming and how food gets to your plate,” said Aki.

The exhibit aims to educate in a fun, captivating and encouraging way. Fairgoers can learn firsthand what goes into farming and how they can play an exciting part in it.

The Ag. Building will also feature a series of 4-H showmanship competitions which will take place throughout the week of the fair. The 4-H youth from all across the region will be showing a variety of different animals including rabbits, chickens, ducks, goats and more.

4-H Showmanship is a combination of: (1) appearance of both the animal and showman; (2) the showman’s knowledge about the animal; (3) the showman’s ability to handle and properly show the animal, including knowing its faults according to breed standard; and (4) sportsmanship and ethics in the show ring.

4-H exhibitors from around the region have been working hard for months to master the skills it takes to bring home a ribbon from the show.

The show animals will also be on display throughout the fair. Fairgoers will be able to wander up and down the exhibit aisles and explore all these different animals.

In addition to the small animal showmanship competitions there will also be various other 4-H demonstrations. Attendees can visit interactive booths equipped with tablet computer devices where they can try their hands at playing a variety of video games by My American Farm.

Attendees can also support the 4-H organization by entering the Chicken Poop Bingo Fundraiser, if they dare. Contestants can buy a bingo square for only $2. If the chicken happens to poop on a contestant’s lucky square he/she will be the lucky winner.

4-H youth have submitted their very own recycled gardens to be judged and also to be on display. 4-H Extension Educator, Carol Bishop and 4-H Coordinator Lacey Sproul-Tom have worked to create a booth that 4-H Extension Landskeeper Steven James has designed wholly out of recycled materials.

Don’t miss the Animal Costume Contest on Saturday at 4pm. that 4-H youth have entered their showmanship animals in. It is sure to be a treat.

The 4-H Extension will also have a fun photo booth with props for guests to enjoy for free.
Be sure and stop by the Ag Building as you enjoy your time at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo.