Waterford FFA - Fair Exhibitors
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As one of its oldest and proudest traditions, Waterford FFA is one of the largest organizations with members at the Racine County Fair. Waterford FFA Members are also annually present at the Wisconsin State Fair. Few opportunities provide as much training, education, and life experience as exhibiting a project at a fair, particularly animal science projects. All Waterford FFA Members are encouraged to consider exhibiting a project at a fair regardless of background or experience. If you are unsure how or where to begin, this website as well as Mr. Kohn can be valuable places to get started. Experienced members can also provide a wealth of personal knowledge and experience to guide you as you get started.
NOTE: exhibitors of the Wisconsin State Fair technically do not show through the Waterford FFA but through the Racine County Extension Office. For this reason, questions about exhibiting at the State Fair should be directed to Linda Leuder, UW Extension agent, at (262) 886-8463 or linda.lueder@ces.uwex.edu.
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Table of Contents
2012 Fair Forms
Overview and How to Get Started
The Fairbook & Important Dates
Animal Health Regulations for Fairs and Shows in Wisconsin
Overview & How to Get Started
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Exhibiting a project at the county or state fair is not always simple, and each project has its own unique requirements, deadlines, and obligations. However, every project has a few things in common and regardless of what you intend to exhibit, you will need to do the following:
- Complete the initial Fair Form by November 1st (if it is past this date, please see Mr. Kohn right away). This form is sent to the UW Extension Office and is necessary to begin the process of approving you as an exhibitor (because every county fair is funded by state and county tax dollars, large amounts of paperwork are a necessary evil in every case). Changes or additions can be made to your registration until March 1st. You do not have to exhibit a project you have signed up for; however, you cannot exhibit a project if you did not register for it by March 1st. For this reason, always register for any project you think you might exhibit by March 1st even if you are not sure.
- See Mr. Kohn and other fair exhibitors for details on when and where to get your animals (if you are exhibiting an animal) and how to prepare your project over the coming months.
- Read the Racine County Fair Book carefully for all details and deadlines regarding each project you intend to exhibit; print off the appropriate pages for your project and highlight key dates and requirements. Paper copies of the Fair Book are no longer distributed unless a personal request is made to the UW Extension Office. Keep in mind that all deadlines should be considered inflexible; if you miss a deadline, you will not be allowed to exhibit that project in most or all cases. It is the obligation of the exhibitor (and none other) to learn and meet all deadlines. If you need help, please contact Mr. Kohn or Linda Leuder, UW Extension agent, at (262) 886-8463 or linda.lueder@ces.uwex.edu.
- Attend at least 15 Events in the Waterford FFA (of which, at least 4 must be Chapter Meetings). It is a fair requirement that anyone who shows through a student organization must be active in that organization. By our own definition, a member must attend 15 or more events to be active (high school graduates are exempt from this requirement because of college, military, and/or other obligations that may make this impossible).
- Attend all mandatory meetings and meet all obligations for your project (more details provided below). Examples of this include animal weigh-ins for market animals, vaccinations specific to each species (e.g. Pollorum for poultry, Coggins for horses, etc.), MAQA certification for market animal exhibitors, etc.
- Submit the final Junior Fair Entry Form to the FAIR OFFICE (19805 Durand Ave, Union Grove, WI) by June 16th. All forms should be mailed to the Racine County Fair Office. Forms mailed or delivered to any other location will not be accepted (i.e. if you turn your form into the school, Mr. Kohn, or the UW Extension office, it will NOT be received on time).
- Animal exhibitors: schedule a veterinarian visit within 30 days of the fair to certify that your animals are healthy and able to be brought to the fair. You will need to present a signed veterinarian's inspection upon arrival at the fair.
- Attend the Pre-Fair Picnic. This is usually held the second Sunday in July at the high school. Typically it consists of a potluck dinner followed by information for exhibitors, completion of forms and animal registration, and preparation of decorations.
- At Pre-Fair Picnic, pay your $50 fair deposit. This is returned to members after the fair is done at clean-up if they have successfully met all fair requirements (almost all receive their check back in full).
- Attend the fair set-up the Sunday prior to the start of the fair at the Racine County Fairgrounds.
- During the fair, complete all assigned barn duties and serve two 2-hour shifts in the FFA Alumni Foodbooth. Members must stay for the entire shift and arrive on time in order to receive their deposit in full.
- After the fair is completed, attend fair clean-up the Monday or Tuesday after the fair is done.
Fair Forms & Obligations
A few forms and items of paperwork are necessary in order for an FFA Member to show at the fair.
- You will need to complete your FFA Membership Application before starting any fair forms.
- You will need to complete your initial Fair Form by November 1st.
- Determine your USDA Premise ID (animal projects only). If your animal-facility does not have a Premise ID, you will need o register for one. Visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability for details.
- You may have animal-specific forms that are due prior to May 1st. For example, Horse ID forms are due to the FAIR OFFICE (19805 Durand Ave, Union Grove, WI) by May 1st. Swine ear-notch papers and care and housing statements must be received by the FAIR OFFICE by the first Monday in May. MAQA registration is required for all exhibitors of meat/market animals. MAQA certification is typically held in February or March and is conducted by the Racine UW Extension Office. Check with Linda Leuder, UW Extension agent, at (262) 886-8463 or linda.lueder@ces.uwex.edu for more details. Other animals may have other requirements. Check the Fair Book and see below for animal-specific details.
- Submit the final Junior Fair Entry Form to the FAIR OFFICE (19805 Durand Ave, Union Grove, WI) by June 16th.
- Acquire a signed Veterinarian Inspection within 30 days of the start of the fair (animal projects only).
- Check the Fair Book for all required vaccinations.
The Fairbook & Important Dates
The Racine County Fair Book is your best and most complete source for all information specific to your project. Read the appropriate sections to your project carefully and print off these sections so that you can highlight all requirements and deadlines. Do not rely on your advisor, the fair, or the extension office to be reminded of important dates. While all three will help in any way possible, all exhibitors are personally responsible for learning and meeting all deadlines.
That said, a few important dates are listed below. Keep in mind that there may be other deadlines not listed below that you will have to meet in order to exhibit your project.
- November 1st - Initial deadline for registration; use the Fair Form to complete your registration.
- March 1st - last day to make changes to your registration. Remember: you do not have to exhibit something if you sign up for it, but you cannot exhibit something unless you have signed up for it prior to March 1st.
- May 1st - Horse ID forms are due to the FAIR OFFICE 19805 Durand Ave, Union Grove, WI)
- First Monday in May- Swine Ear-notch papers and housing care statements are due to the FAIR OFFICE.
- June 16th - the final Junior Fair Entry Form is due to the FAIR OFFICE (19805 Durand Ave, Union Grove, WI) - NOTE it must be postmarked prior to this date!
- Second Sunday in July - Pre-Fair Picnic (see details above) - this is a MANDATORY event for all exhibitors!
- Sunday before the Fair - Fair Set-up - this is a MANDATORY event for all exhibitors!
- Monday or Tuesday after the fair - Fair-Clean-up - this is when fair premium checks and deposits are returned!
Animal Specific Information
This information is currently being compiled with the Fair Superintendents and will be posted soon! See Mr. Kohn if you have an specific question.
Important! Please read carefully.
Exhibiting at the Racine County Fair and Wisconsin State Fair through the Waterford FFA is a privilege, not a right. While we strongly support all exhibitors and the education they acquire by exhibiting a project at the fair, we will not hesitate to stop the participation of any exhibitor who does not conduct themselves in a professional, acceptable manner.
Failure to meet fair and FFA expectations, submit the appropriate forms, complete barn duties and foodstand shifts, or assist in all activities and obligations necessary to allow the fair to occur will result in the dismissal of that student from the fair before or during exhibition and/or lose part or all of their fair deposit. Similar action will be taken for students who abuse or neglect their animal projects.
Students who violate the WUHS Code of Conduct, use alcohol or tobacco products, use profanity, display unsportsmanlike conduct, violate any laws, or in any way diminish the image of Wateford Union High School, the National FFA Organization, and/or the agriculture industry can and will be banned from exhibiting through the FFA.
The Waterford FFA has a zero-tolerance policy for any indications of animal abuse or neglect. Students who indicate that they are unable or unwilling to properly care for their animals will not be allowed to represent the FFA or the agriculture industry in a public setting. Exhibitors can be stripped of any awards if evidence of animal abuse occurs during or after the fair.
Students with questions about acceptable conduct while participating in events through the FFA should see Mr. Kohn.
All animals exhibited must meet the Animal Health Regulations for Fairs and Shows in Wisconsin. Click to read more.
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