Come play with us at the fair
Mike is about to send out an email to the 15 or so CYC who had a temporary loss of sensibility and signed up that they might be interested in helping us at the State Fair. We have a plan, and it involves including lots more of our EXCELLENT county staff (I prefer "rowdy friends" but that's just me) in our little 2-week adventure. Just to pique your interest, here's an article that Lynette Cline wrote after helping me last year. (In my own defense, I do have a somewhat more deliberate training plan this year--last year's was the Famous Extension Training known as "Here Ya Go".)
From Lynette (THANK YOU!!)
Nothing was more aptly put than this year’s State Fair Theme, “You Gotta Love It!” When my co-workers asked me how I liked working at State Fair (and seemed a bit shocked that I volunteered), this theme was the obvious reply.
It’s for the love of Iowa, 4-H, and agriculture (all of which I am a veteran) that we are willing to endure some rather uncomfortable and yes, smelly days among the livestock barns. The chairs were hard, breaks were erratic, the rain wet, and pigs created an obstacle course wherever you walked.
The learning curve was, well, pretty doggone tight. Matt Wenger was the poor soul who had to indoctrinate me. “Here, click this, this, and enter that. Now go.” I was sure that on the nightly news there’d be a story of a big mushroom cloud over Des Moines because I pushed the wrong button. On my third day Becky said, “I’m going to put the two of you in the sheep barn tomorrow. No, I think I’ll split you up, you two know what you’re doing.” What? No…wait, I’m an idiot! Are you sure you want to do that?
But because I was with awesome, patient, and dedicated livestock workers (thanks, Matt), we did not have core meltdown. The benefits are great! (Wear your ISUE nametag). You will get a gate pass, free parking and meals which help defray your costs. But the biggest benefit is to facilitate the opportunity for each 4-H livestock exhibitor to experience the Iowa State Fair. I wouldn’t trade watching those beaming faces for anything! Thanks, Becky, for the opportunity. You’re a gem.