North Florida Fair Post Fair Meeting 12/2/09 Submitted by Monica Brinkley

Present: Lori Wiggins, Taylor Co. Melanie Taylor, Gulf Co. Julie Dillard, Washington Co. Judy Corbus, Homes & Washington Co. Natalie Bowman, Holmes Co. Suzanne Wilson, Walton Co. Vicki Mullins, St. Rosa Co. Yolanda Goode, Gadsden Co. Sherri Hood, Wakulla Co. Tracey Tesdall, Leon Co. Heather Kent, RSA John Lilly, Jefferson Co. Marcos Boston, Leon Co. Monica Brinkley, Liberty Co. Stella Earnhart, North Florida Fair Mark Harvey, North Florida Fair

Minutes accepted from previous meeting.

Mark reported that total attendance was up 10%. 4-H building looked better than he has ever seen. County booths looked good also. They are working on expanding other aspects of the fair. Had positive comments from customers. It was estimated that 93,500 people attended.

Stella reported that she had to call some counties to find out where their entries were because she had received them by the deadline. It is very important that the deadline be adhered to. Stella advised the use of web site to type information into entry forms. She received illegible entry forms, forms that didn’t have entry numbers, forms that tag numbers were used twice. Stella stressed that we need to be do a better job with making sure entry forms are done correctly. There were several problems with judges report forms that Stella uses to make premium checks. Some issues discussed were: Award of merit given to clover buds, not legible ribbon colors, award of merit not being recorded. Seemed to be many issues with judges not doing what had been asked to do. Yolanda stated that she and or Whitney needed to develop a check list for judges to use while judging. It was also suggested that an agent be assigned to a class or classes to be a scribe. This could cut down on a lot of the confusion that took place this year as well as have the judges sheets more accurately recorded. Stella needed to find out who to send District Council Booth check to: Dist. 1 – Vicki Mullins, St. Rosa. Co. Dist. 2 – Julie Dillard, Washington Co. Dist. 3 – Monica Brinkley, Liberty Co.

Last year there was discussion about changing compensation for chairs and co-chairs; however, it didn’t get voted on and the fair office could not make any changes. Therefore a motion was made, seconded and passed to compensation the 2009 and years following the 4-H Department chair $75 and co-chair $25. Club Booths chair, $50; Share the Fun chair, $50 and the co-chairs in those areas will receive 0.

Yolanda stated that agent’s bag or box all of one youths items together to save time upon check in. Make sure you have read class description so items are placed in correct class. Much of the information is on the district web site, including information about how to fill out entry tags. It would be most helpful to bring tags and entry forms to check out.

When recording, write no show for items not found, if items are moved to a new class and/or age category make notation on sheet: moved to_____.

There was a significant increase in entries; therefore, need to order more ribbons.

If you have left over entry tags, return to fair office at post fair meeting. Make sure you do not use old tags in your office if you run out of the ones the fair office gave you for that year.

Judges preparation: Need to do more in-depth orientation. It is very important that judges make constructive comments. A parent wrote a letter concerning accusations made by a judge. Yolanda will give an example of how to write constructive comments so that Heather can post it to be web.

Motion made, seconded and passed that we assign agents as scribes to classes to monitor judges in order to alleviate problems.

Schedule was revised and will be sent out by Yolanda. Dairy Show – John reported that overall show went well. However some entry forms were not legible. Next year he will not accept an entry form that has not been filled out on computer. John asked Stella to put a sample animal entry form on the web. The agent is ultimately responsible for making sure forms are complete and if there are issues with the entry form John will return to agent.

Share-the Fun – Vicki reported that there were not as many acts registered. There were no programs this year and Vicki advised Chris that due to so few participating it would not be necessary to create a program. Next year Vicki will create a program, send in advance so that agents can preview to make sure all acts have been included.

Club Booths – Marcus reported that there were too many booths set up by pipe and drape people. They took down what was not needed allowing more soace for 4-H Department items to be displayed.

Ag Judging – Melanie reported for Roy that the area for judging was too congested. Discussion took place about scan tron programs not communicating. Need to be searching for new program that will communicate with scan tron machine if going to continue to use the machine.

Consumer Choices – Judy’s report is attached. Discussion took place about Judy’s suggestion on ribbons and it was decided that the chairs will remain responsible for checking ribbons and trophies.

Horticulture – David was not present and it was mentioned that the numbers were about same as last year.

The tool kit needs to be refreshed. The staple gun was missing. All counties may get a bill for supplies to replenish the tool kit.

Whitney (by way of Yolanda) would like the Pre-Fair Meeting to be fact to face. The meeting will be September 20, 2010 at 1:00 ET at the Leon County Extension Office.

You will not be allowed to add items to a youth’s entry form after deadline to submit forms to Stella at the North Florida Fair. You will be allowed to change class but must use same tag number. One judge suggested that each youth only be allowed to exhibit 1-3 photos. It was discussed and decided in order to be consistent, rules will stand as printed. There is a need for more judges in the photo class, different judges for each age category.

Need to secure extra judges that can fill in as needed.

2010 North Florida Fair, November 4-14th Theme: Be A Kid Again

November 1, Check in November 3, 4-H Department Judging November 13, 4-H Day at the Fair November 15, Check out