It was an interesting and somewhat sad going to the Broome County fair last evening. We had been regulars in the past because I was a 4-H leader. Allison aged out in 2012 so last year, 2013, we did not go to the fair. Although many things had remained the same, and probably will be so for the next 50 years, it was quite sad to see that from the agricultural point of view there has been such a decline in those engaged in farming as well as simply raising livestock for 4-H. In the area where the kids mostly have their animals, for judging etc, there were only 2 goats, 2 sheep and 2 pigs. Thats it! The last year we went the pens were full to nearly overflowing. Chickens? oh my, hardly any. In 2012 the covered arena was full of all different types of chickens and more roosters than youd care to have in one place, all crowing at once. This year, maybe 20-25 chickens and they were all one breed and no one was crowing-it was SO quiet. No need to say maybe the other ones were set up somewhere else. Its a small fairgrounds and the animals are all sequestered in one place. There were I would guess 50% fewer show rabbits too. We had also gone down to see how many horses/riders were involved in the 4-H. Few, very few. Wed also gone down obviously from the photos and video, to watch the rodeo. I put it in quotes b/c it was simply a sad excuse for a rodeo and I dont know about last year but they CHARGED people this year to get into the rodeo. We all go charged at the gate to get into the fair and get charged again ($5/each), to get into the rodeo! What? Mind you we could not find it anywhere where it was stated they would be charging. They had obviously come up with this plan earlier b/c they had wrist bands and cashiers and men standing guard so no one slipped by-youd think the Rolling Stones were coming seeing all the security. In 2012 they had the bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing and a few other things. Not this year. If they had now drawn names for the Championship round it all would have been over in half an hour. Despite this, Allison and I had a great time. Even with bench butt, we talked, laughed, people-watched and talked about how some of our horses would be as bronc horses or cow horse. Imagine Maverick as a cow horse-ha ha ha ha. I hope that our county fairs continue and our non-agricultural residents attend and support agriculture beyond buying organic milk. Come to see just how hard farmers work. Remember fairs such as these began as a way for our farmers and farms to show off their hard work, put very simply. Now it seems to focus on scary rides, drinking (the beer cage) and greasy, deep fried food. PLEASE continue to support farmers and farms, without them there is no future.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 12:32:38 +0000
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