HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 Minutes May 20AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION EDUCATION/
FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, May 20, 2024
9:00 a.m.
The May meeting was held in the Extension Office Conference Room at the Youth &
Agriculture Center and by Zoom. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Roger Guthrie.
Present in person were Chairman Guthrie, Pat Schroeder, Gary Northouse, Kathy Kopp, Mark
Vosberg, Bob Keeney, Amy Olson, Lori Vesperman, James Schneider, Charisse Orth, Jackie
McCarville, Jordyn Sattler, Lynn Perkins and Carolina Pinzon-Sanchez. Present by Zoom were
Joe Mumm, Shane Drinkwater and Grant County Herald Independent.
The meeting notice was posted at the Extension Office, Youth & Agriculture Center,
Administration Building, on the Grant County website and emailed to media.
Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Gary Northouse, to approve the agenda. Motion carried
Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Kathy Kopp, to approve the minutes of the meetings
held April 15 & 16, 2024. Motion carried.
Chair Roger Guthrie requested that any concerns received by committee members regarding
Extension or Fair/Fairgrounds be addressed directly to Amy or Lynn.
Educator reports were given by James Schneider, Charisse Orth, Jackie McCarville and Jordyn
Sattler. Reports for Kim Kester, Bev Doll and Maggie Milcarek were included with the printed
reports. Carolina Pinzon-Sanchez, Dairy Outreach Specialist, accompanied Jackie. They will be
going on a goat farm visit after the meeting. A discussion was held on bird flu. Lynn gave an
Extension Overview Presentation.
Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Kathy Kopp, to approve the Extension vouchers. Motion
carried.
Amy Olson gave the grounds and maintenance and Youth & Agriculture Center report.
Tower Sounds installed a new sound system in the Livestock Facility Pavilion. IT is working on
Wi-Fi issues on the grounds area around the dairy pole barn. Discussion was held on moving
forward with dairy pole barn improvements. Discussion was held on forming foundations for
donations. Joe was contacted regarding the Saddle Club’s concern with the safety of bleachers at
the arena area. Amy informed the committee that a family would like to donate a new set of
bleachers for the arena. There was no update on the request to use the livestock facility for an
electronic recycling event.
Grant County Fair and Fairgrounds business was covered.
Amy would like to apply for a Community Betterment Grant through Corteva Agriculture for
$2,000 for new bleachers. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Kathy Kopp to approve
Amy’s request and have her take it to the full county board. Motion Carried.
Amy is working with the Sleep Inn on mutual advertising. Amy purchased 300 plastic padded
chairs for the Eckstein Hall, paying $6,254.16, at online auction. Motion by Pat Schroeder,
seconded by Mark Vosberg, to use budgeted funds to cover the purchase. Motion carried.
The committee will judge the fair poster contest after the meeting.
Amy shared the number of livestock identified so far for the 2024 fair.
Amy gave a DATCP update regarding animal health. Horse practice can be held with
participants using their own discretion on whether to attend or not.
Fairs in Wisconsin will see an increase in state aid due to legislation passed increasing the
amount budgeted for the state to $650,000. Also, exhibitors can now enter projects in any fair.
Amy shared information on All Event and Mega Passes. All event passes will cost $35 June 1-28
and $40 after those dates. Mega Passes can be purchased online at Badgerland Midway for $55,
up from $50 in 2023. The fair schedule was reviewed. The carcass shows and swine load out
were discussed. Amy will check further on having swine loadout on Monday morning. The 2024
Fair schedule was reviewed.
Motion by Kathy Kopp, seconded by Mark Vosberg to sign contracts with food and beer
organizations. Motion carried.
Amy will be attending the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention on June 2 & 3.
Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Mark Vosberg, to approve the vouchers. Motion carried.
Motion by Pat Schroeder, seconded by Gary Northouse, to pay livestock claims in the amount of
$320 and send on to the County Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Mark Vosberg, to adjourn until June 17. Motion
carried.
Kathy Kopp
Secretary
Lori Vesperman
Recording Secretary