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K‑State Extension proposes Seward County ‘town farm’ at fairgrounds; commissioners give pre‑approval pending legal review
Summary
K‑State Extension staff proposed using existing Seward County Fairgrounds barns to house 4‑H and FFA animal projects, presenting cost and safety options and saying donors would fund upgrades; commissioners indicated informal pre‑approval and asked for legal review and a formal agenda item at the next meeting.
K‑State Research & Extension representatives on April 6 asked Seward County commissioners to allow a “town farm” at the Seward County Fairgrounds to provide space for 4‑H and FFA youth who live in town and lack places to keep animal projects.
Summer Stafford, identified as a family and community wellness agent with K‑State Extension, told commissioners that “we do have kids that live in Liberal that would like to have animal projects but don't have a place to house them,” and said the project would give those youth access to facilities for livestock projects. Jade Green, introduced as a livestock and 4‑H agent, said FFA members whose instructor agreed could also use the space if they are Seward County residents.
Why it matters: Commissioners stressed the county must avoid assuming capital costs and ensure public‑safety and code compliance. Extension staff told the commission they expect donors and grants to cover capital work; county staff said any fee revenue would be tracked within existing county line items and that legal counsel should review the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) before any formal approval.
Presenters described several approaches and constraints. They recommended reusing existing buildings rather than erecting a brand‑new facility, noting some structures are in poor condition and that a contractor told them one building “is not even really safe.” Staff described two costframes discussed by the presenters: a larger rebuild figure discussed as about $500,000 and a more limited option—erecting a new roof/lean‑to to better cover and use existing concrete areas—estimated at roughly $250,000 for a 100‑by‑100 roof to cover the barns.
Extension staff emphasized operational rules tied to fair ownership requirements: cattle must be owned 120 days before the fair and small animals (sheep, goats, pigs) 90 days. They said the town farm would not be year‑round but would operate during the 4‑H livestock season. The presenters also said families would pay deposits or fees, which could be routed to the county’s accounting line items to cover utilities and maintenance rather than through a separate checking account.
On program oversight, staff said the MOU would include a disciplinary policy and procedures for animal death or vandalism; presenters noted that if an animal dies on site, the exhibitor must remove the carcass within two hours or contact Extension for assistance. The presenters offered to bring youth to the next meeting to explain why the space matters to them.
Commissioner response and next steps: Commissioners did not vote to authorize work but indicated informal pre‑approval “as long as legal review is good,” and asked that the finalized MOU be submitted to county legal counsel and put on the next formal meeting agenda so youth could speak. County staff said they could work with the clerk and treasurer to set the proper line items to track fees and recommended that any structural repairs be routed through planning and zoning for code compliance.
What happens next: Extension staff will submit a revised MOU for legal review and — if counsel clears it — the commission will consider formal approval at the next meeting, where commissioners have invited youth to present testimony about the town farm.
