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By Jana Mathia
Gazette Editor 

Sales committee votes to pick up the tab for youth

 


COLFAX – The sales committee of the Palouse Empire Fair Board voted to cover the costs of a youth stock sale from its own coffers.

The sales committee met prior to the fair board. Main discussion was offering a show and sale and on helping youth who still needed it sell their animals.

Two surveys were brought up. The first was put out by the WSU Extension which oversees the 4H programs. According to that survey, there were 23 beef, 44 hogs, nine goats and eight sheep that youth producers still needed to sell. Another survey, put out by a group of 4H leaders and ag teachers, had 57 steers, 62 hogs, 26 sheep and 14 goats interested in showing, with 88% needing sold.

Exact cost for hosting a show and sale is unknown, but some costs listed based on past fair expenditures included $600 per judge per species for two days, $350 for a dumpster, $900 for a veterinarian and $80 per portable outhouse per day.

While there were many details and unknowns discussed, there was a strong desire to put on a show for the youth wanting to show and a sale for those needing it.

The biggest obstacle remains the lack of guidance from the state level on how to host a fair under Phase III restrictions, namely the gatherings under 50 limit. Whether that means 50 on the entire grounds or 50 in a barn is unknown. A task force has been assembled to develop that guidance which would then go to the Governor’s office where it may or may not be approved.

Despite the uncertainty, the sales committee still sought to find a way to support the youth projects, including drawing from its own account.

As county commissioners have already voted to not host a fair, any work done for a sale would have to be done by the sales committee and volunteer without support from the fair office.

“If people really want to see this happen, they’re going to have to step up,” said committee member and FFA advisor Nathan Moore.

The committee will meet next July 27.

Author Bio

Jana Mathia, Reporter

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Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.

 

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