Emily Lockard, county director for the Colorado State University Extension in Montezuma County, reported that the Montezuma County Fair held July 24-Aug. 1 went smoothly with the Junior Livestock Sale raking in $434,900.
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That’s about $80,000 more than last year’s amount, Lockard said.
“Numbers were actually up,” she said Monday. “I mean, it was a rough year for a lot of folks, so we were pleasantly surprised.”
Lockard added during a follow-up Tuesday the annual fair is a team effort between the fair board, livestock committee, sale committee, superintendents, Extension office, volunteers, auctioneers, fairground, youth and their families, and community members willing to support the youth by purchasing animals.
“We’re all so proud of the care and dedication youth put into raising their animals and thankful for the community who supports them,” Lockard said.
She said 112 4-H and National FFA Organization members participated. Ten livestock exhibitors, a horse exhibitor and 52 general projects will represent the county at the Colorado State Fair on Aug. 28 through Sept. 7.
Extension staff also asked the commissioners to consider formally declaring a 4-H week or day in Montezuma County the first week of October to coincide with National 4-H Week, celebrated annually, and this year running from Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.
“To celebrate 4-H week, the community can attend Tour de 4-H on Oct. 10 at IFA (Country Store) to learn more about how to participate in the 4-H program,” Lockard said. “They can always reach out to our office directly to learn how to participate in our local 4-H youth development program.”
Other events in the near future with the Extension include the Colorado Master Gardener Volunteer program, registration for which is open until the final sign-up date Aug. 31.
“You apply to be a master gardener. … But you go through an educational program called Green School,” Lockard said.
Lockard serves as the president-elect for the Colorado Section of the Society of Range Management and hosts the annual meeting. Two events include a celebratory feature film taking place 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Sunflower Theatre in Cortez to recognize rangelands, managers and grazers.
A session follows the next day focusing specially on livestock behavior and the science behind managing landscapes, especially after large fires, with different presenters planned for the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Avenue. The program is from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Lockard said registration will soon open for both events.
awatson@the-journal.com
