Show your crops at the fair

I got the idea to write this article from one I read in the Wheat Life magazine as written by our Senator Mark Schoesler. I asked him if I could use some of it to get out to those of you who don’t get the magazine.

Thanks to technology, we have Internet, smart phones and other ways of current communication with more information and knowledge at our fingertips than ever before.

We are living in an information-based society, many people don’t know much about where our food comes from. In fact, few people in urban areas have been to farms or seen crops up close. They don’t know much about domestic animals that are commonplace in rural parts of Washington and elsewhere.

Fortunately, even in this age of new technology, there is a place where people can reconnect with our rural, agricultural-based heritage and experience the sights, smells, and feel of what makes farms such unique and endearing parts of America—the fair.

During the summer, you can find at least one fair in every county, and I have been traveling to the fairs this past two years taking pictures of pretty much everything that a fair is offering to the public. Last year, I attended 23 fairs in the state of Washington and will attend more this year. Whether you are talking about the small community fairs or the hugely populated Puyallup State Fair, fairs attract people and remind them that agriculture still plays a vital and indispensable role in our lives. Fairs continue to play an important educational role for people, as well as a place where folks can get a hands-on experience with animals and crops.

Fairs also benefit our youth, especially those belonging to organizations like 4-H and FFA. When kids exhibit animals at the fair, the experience gives them a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment. It also allows them to become friends with other competitors, and it teaches them valuable social skills like poise and how to interact with fairgoers who visit the animal barns and exhibition halls.

Food producers and farm landlords are indispensable to the overall well-being of Washington’s agricultural industry and culture. Their pivotal role in Washington agriculture should be recognized and celebrated. Fairs are a natural and logical place to celebrate the importance of our producers and landlords.

According to a recent study, fairs generate a lot of economic activity in Washington. When people buy admission tickets, snacks, ride tickets and souvenirs, which usually means money is going into the pockets of other community members. The end result is a boost to the local economy.

These past two years, our state’s fair funding has been under attack in Olympia. Fortunately, grassroots support has been able to fill the financial gap for fairs. As working and visiting with fairs around the state and even my own Adams County Fair and the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, you notice that we are not supporting the exhibits as producers and landlords. Many of our region’s crops aren’t being featured in fair exhibits.

Not only is our wheat industry not being showcased, we’re not seeing exhibits on our rotational crops like peas, lentils, garbanzos, grass seed, canola and many more.

For example, we need to show our nonfarm neighbors what dark northern spring looks like versus soft white wheat. It’s educational for the public to see what a garbanzo looks like before it hits the salad bar.

I am a farmer’s wife, a member of the Adams County Fair, and a Director of the Washington State Fair Association, and Sen. Mark Schoesler is a farmer of wheat and cattle. We are both strong supporters of Washington agriculture, and we encourage farmers to take the time this summer to plan to exhibit these crops, support your local fair, support our industry and perhaps win a ribbon.

The fairs earn points for all of these entries at the fair which determine how much the fairs get from the state to pay for premiums, ribbons, and awards to everyone that enters an exhibit. We need your support!

Thank you Mark for writing this article and thank you for letting me quote you to everyone in Adams County.