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4‑H, Cooperative Extension and Fair Board Say County Fair Will Proceed; Delegates Ask for Follow‑up
Summary
After emails causing confusion about 4‑H participation at the Belknap County Fair, Cooperative Extension and fair-board representatives told the delegation 4‑H would participate and youth could qualify for regional shows; delegates asked to place follow‑up 4‑H business on a future agenda for clarification.
Several delegation members raised constituent complaints after an email said the Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H program “would not be able to participate” in the Belknap County Fair. Cooperative Extension and fair‑board representatives told the delegation there was confusion in initial communications but that the fair and 4‑H participation would proceed.
Amy Lower, interim director of Cooperative Extension, said that after the delegation’s budget reduction the extension reallocated part of a 4‑H educator’s salary onto a statewide grant so the educator could remain based in Belknap County. "We will be able to support 4‑H at the Belknap fair," she said, but added that volunteer capacity and administrative work would increase.
Mike Harris, the local 4‑H program manager, said an email sent by his supervisor stated the 4‑H program might not participate but clarified that the message meant Cooperative Extension could not staff the program in its previous way; he said he would forward the original email to the delegation on request. Fair-board and foundation members said the Belknap County Fair is largely supported by private funds — including a foundation established with funds from the Burt Southwick legacy — and that volunteers and the foundation typically provide ribbons, premiums and many fair services.
Fair-board members said they had not yet received formal written confirmation of all details but that they were working with Cooperative Extension; one fair-board member said the fair would proceed and that children would be able to qualify for the Eastern States Expo as in past years. Delegates debated whether to hear agency representatives during the meeting or wait for the public‑input period; the delegation later voted to place a 4‑H follow-up item on the next delegation agenda so parties could report back.
Ending: Cooperative Extension and fair representatives told delegates the fair will proceed with 4‑H participation; the delegation asked for a follow‑up report at the next meeting to resolve outstanding procedural questions and to clarify communications to families.
