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It is the time of year every 4-H/FFA participant looks forward to... the fair! This year, the 2020 Sanders County Fair is going to be quite different. MSU Sanders County Extension Agent Juli Thurston has been working with 4-H committee members and leaders to develop plans that accommodate COVID-19 restrictions as well as allowing youth to reap project benefits resulting from their hard work throughout the year.

Before the fair was officially cancelled last Thursday evening, when the Board of Health and county commissioners met, Thurston and the Sanders County 4-H/FFA Livestock Committee met to discuss what different scenarios would mean for 4-H/FFA this fall.

"We are trying to figure out how to do this," Thurston said last Wednesday during that meeting in Plains, prior to the announced fair cancellation. "My understanding is they (fair board, county commissioners and health board) want us to come up with a plan for three scenarios." Joining these three scenarios (fair continues as much as normal, fair continues with limitations, and fair is cancelled) are three areas for 4-H/FFA to manage: the 4-H/FFA kitchen and pavilion, home economics barn and the livestock barns.

Plans were discussed for over two hours on how 4-H/FFA would handle abiding by COVID-19 stipulations on social distancing and personal protection in the three different situations.

As of Thursday night, options for 4-H/FFA operations were narrowed significantly with the fair cancellation.

Throughout the following week, Thurston and the committee continued communications to develop a plan she will take to the Board of Health for their review on Thursday, July 16. The board will either approve or disapprove of the plan as written, which will determine how 4-H/FFA activities look for 2020. Collectively, the committee took discussion points to determine what options could fit within board of health parameters and still allow 4-H/FFA members to submit their projects and livestock for auction in "Show-n-Go" fashion.

The plan identifies that the 4-H/FFA kitchen will be closed, the awards ceremony is cancelled, all livestock and indoor exhibit interviews are cancelled, no family potluck will occur on Wednesday night, the 4-H/FFA raffle is cancelled, camping will only be allowed for families with market animals, nonmarket animal shows will occur prior to the weekend (limiting the amount of interaction), and all non-market animals will be required to leave the fairgrounds promptly after being shown.

The committee is proposing that all indoor exhibits be dropped off at the fairgrounds Wednesday for judging of the project only. Thursday, judges will review each project based on craftsmanship alone. Members will be able to pick their judged projects up anytime Friday through Sunday.

Included in the plan is a way for youth to still show their market animals by limiting attendance to exhibitors and their families only. "Market and showmanship classes will have smaller class sizes to allow youth exhibitors to spread out more," the plan states. In addition, wash and sanitization materials and stations will be set up at barn entrances and throughout the heavily utilized areas of the barn for protective measures.

As far as the auction goes, it is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 6. The plan outlines guaranteed seats for buyers only. Family members will need to stand behind the bleachers in accordance with social distancing guidelines. There will be no coffee or donuts available, but bidders will have the option to bid online if they cannot attend, or if the board cancels the in-person auction. Youth typically gift their buyers as a gesture of thanks, but this year, the plan states these gifts will be sent via mail.

"I would say to the community and 4-H/FFA members to be rest assured that the 4-H/FFA kids will have the chance to exhibit their projects and sell their market animals," stated Thurston. "We (extension staff, committee members, and leaders) are working with the Board of Health to determine the best safe plan of action to go about. As soon as we have a definite plan in place, we will be notifying everyone."

For everyone around the world, it has been a time requiring patience and flexibility in every aspect of life. "We are disappointed to be in this situation but understand 2020 has been a crazy year!" emphasized Thurston.