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County fair a reminder of area's agricultural roots
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| By: Anita Zimmerman |
April 29, 2009 |
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Barron County Fair Manager Tim Heffernan briefs a crowd of board members, volunteers and members of the press at the construction site Thursday afternoon.
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A new building project in Rice Lake is a show of support for Barron County farmers.
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Three new facilities are slated for construction at the county fairgrounds. A horse barn, hog and sheep barn and show ring for beef, sheep and hogs will be ready for this year's junior livestock show and sale.
There aren't as many farms around as there used to be, Barron County Fair Manager Tim Heffernan knows, and he says construction at the fair is "trying to show that agriculture in Barron County is still alive and well."
Farmers are struggling with low commodity prices and high input costs, but Heffernan likes to think prices are "coming back slowly." For fairgoers who've moved off the farm, the barns and animals offer a nostalgic return to their heritage, he adds.
Construction of the horse barn is already in progress. The minutes from the fair board's meeting shows Brad Draves Construction, of Shell Lake, won the project with a bid of $151,136. Construction is being funded by a $200,000 loan from the county's Commission on Agriculture fund.
The fair board hopes to collect money for equipment purchases-an estimated $50,000 is needed by June 15-through a contribution drive. Heffernan has already sent donation requests to all the youth livestock program alumni he could track down. So far, 53 responders have donated more than $9,000 to the Don Triebensee Memorial Barn Fund.
As a tribute to the founders of the junior livestock show and sale, the barn will be named after Triebensee, a former Rice Lake High School agriculture instructor.
Triebensee, who passed away in 2005, was instrumental in providing leadership and securing financing for youth programs, Heffernan said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
More than 40 years have passed since the livestock show was established in 1965. Youth programs still teach skills and give kids something to do-a cheap source of entertainment, Heffernan calls them-and quips that it's "far more expensive to house a juvenile offender."
In a time where few youths are exposed to farm life, the fair is also "a great teaching opportunity," he comments. In the future, he'd like to add a birthing ring, so visitors can watch animals give birth-but Heffernan thinks that, and his other ambitions, might have to wait a while.
Despite strong community support, Heffernan sees lack of time and staffing as the fair's biggest challenges. Board members have full-time jobs, he says, and there's no full-time staff.
At the moment, Heffernan's focus on the building project detracts from time spent sending out commercial contracts. He's running a little behind this year, he says, adding with a dimpled grin, "I'm retired. Doesn't mean I quit working. I just quit working for money."
It's a busy time at the fair. In addition to fundraising efforts and building projects, Barron County Fair is up for philanthropy honors at the Barron County Economic Development Corporation's awards banquet Thursday.
Heffernan and board President Bob Kolzow will accept the award on behalf of the organization's many volunteers and supporters.
For information or to get involved, leave a message at 736-3247. To donate to the Don Triebensee Memorial Barn Fund, contact Duke Thurs at (715) 205-4990 or e-mail dthurs5902@charter.net.
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©The Chetek Alert 2010
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