4-H at the Alaska State Fair: 2022
4-H Poultry at the Alaska State Fair
Because of the avian flu presence in Alaska, the Alaska State Fair board has decided that there will be no poultry allowed on the fairgrounds during the event. Concern is not for the 4-H poultry themselves, it is more the difficulty with adequate biosecurity at the Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits Building. Thousands of fairgoers make their way through the building each day of the fair. Many of these fair attendees like to hike, recreate, fish, and just be out of doors. Migratory birds are the main hosts of the avian flu virus and it is easily transmitted through the wild bird droppings. Stepping in it and carrying it to the fair could increase the possibility of transmitting the virus to our farm poultry. It is a devastating and rapid death.
The Mat-Su 4-H Market Livestock Committee has come up with a plan to still allow the 4-H youth an opportunity to market their poultry projects. They will be hosting the 4-H poultry showmanship and conformation off-site, in addition to the required vet checks. The animals will then be slaughtered and kept at the required temperatures until the auction.
The poultry part of the auction will look a little different this year. Each 4-H youth will still be placed in their order for showing their animal in the ring. Those 4-H'ers who are marketing poultry will have a posters filled with pictures of their birds to walk around the ring in place of their live animals. Buyers will be able to bid on the 4-H market poultry projects as usual.
Please stay tuned for additional information and updates as we get closer to FAIR TIME!!
Thank you for your CONTINUED AWESOME support of our 4-H youth!
Because of the avian flu presence in Alaska, the Alaska State Fair board has decided that there will be no poultry allowed on the fairgrounds during the event. Concern is not for the 4-H poultry themselves, it is more the difficulty with adequate biosecurity at the Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits Building. Thousands of fairgoers make their way through the building each day of the fair. Many of these fair attendees like to hike, recreate, fish, and just be out of doors. Migratory birds are the main hosts of the avian flu virus and it is easily transmitted through the wild bird droppings. Stepping in it and carrying it to the fair could increase the possibility of transmitting the virus to our farm poultry. It is a devastating and rapid death.
The Mat-Su 4-H Market Livestock Committee has come up with a plan to still allow the 4-H youth an opportunity to market their poultry projects. They will be hosting the 4-H poultry showmanship and conformation off-site, in addition to the required vet checks. The animals will then be slaughtered and kept at the required temperatures until the auction.
The poultry part of the auction will look a little different this year. Each 4-H youth will still be placed in their order for showing their animal in the ring. Those 4-H'ers who are marketing poultry will have a posters filled with pictures of their birds to walk around the ring in place of their live animals. Buyers will be able to bid on the 4-H market poultry projects as usual.
Please stay tuned for additional information and updates as we get closer to FAIR TIME!!
Thank you for your CONTINUED AWESOME support of our 4-H youth!
2022 Alaska State Fair 4-H Exhibitor Guide
