Agriculture

Happy New Year!

The Agriculture and Education department spent the fall wrapping up the 2009 Big E. We visited with many of our participants, exhibitors and volunteers during that time, addressing concerns, looking at new ideas for the future and just enjoying their input on the programs and exhibits of the Fair. As we move forward with planning the 2010 Big E, we will need to remain creative and innovative in our thinking as we face new challenges and projects.

Ag Advisory Committee Meets

Chair Ken Parsons kept all of us on track and the meeting was very productive for staff and exhibitors.

The notes from the meeting can be viewed by clicking here.

Please feel free to visit with your breed rep or superintendent about the meeting.

4-H Packet Information & FFA CDE Information

All 4-H and FFA Committee meetings have had their wrap-up meetings for the year. 2010 4-H packets and FFA CDE will be posted as they are completed. The FFA Floral Arrangement and Landscape Exhibit theme is Celebrate America.

Remember:

4-H Beef Steer Entries are due in your 4-H office by Feb 1.

FFA Landscape Exhibit applications are due April 1. Please check back for new information as it becomes available.

The Fiber Festival of New England

New England Sheep & Wool Growers Association and Eastern States Exposition have joined together to bring you the first annual Fiber Festival of New England to be held November 6 & 7, 2010, at the Exposition fairgrounds, to promote the use of wool and other natural fibers and related products to the general public. Also included in this weekend's events will be children's activities, displays of live animals and their contribution to the fiber industry, plus workshops and demonstrations related to natural fibers.

Interested vendors click here for information. Watch nesheep.org and TheBigE.com for updated information.

The Big East Jackpot and Junior Beef Show

This premier beef cattle spring show will be held April 30- May 2 in the Mallary Complex. Join the Fan page on Facebook for updates.

This event is a great family weekend. Besides showing, there are other educational and fun events planned. There is a pizza party Friday night, and the New England Angus Association will sponsor an ice cream social following Saturday night's family Bar-B-Que.

Get the dates on your calendar now for this great weekend.

Wine Exhibitor Wins at American Farm Bureau

Jamie Jones of Jones Family Farm, an ESE Wine exhibitor, was runner-up in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award. Jamie was awarded a Case IH tractor. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation's growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside Farm Bureau.

Congratulations Jamie!

Upcoming Events

Mar. 20: CT 4-H Dairy and Beef Day at UCONN

Mar 25: Mass Poultry Enhancement Council Meeting, Oxford Public Library, 339 Main St. Oxford MA 01540, 5:45-8PM. For more information contact Steve Gould.

Mar. 27: Ma 4-H Blue Ribbon Dairy Calf Sale

Mar. 27&28: UCONN Equine Horse Symposium

April 2-4: North American Alpaca Show

April 5, 5pm to 8pm: 2010 Poultry Symposium, Tolland County Agricultural Center, Gold Building

April 10: CT 4-H Goat Day at UCONN

April 24: CT Sheep, Wool and Fiber Festival, held at Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon, CT
info at www.ctsheep.com

April 30 - May 2: The Big East Regional Jackpot & Youth Cattle Show

May 1&2: 70th Annual NEHA Sale & Annual Meeting

May 22: A Vintner's Harvest, ESE Foundation, New England Grange Building

June 12: The Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition

July 16-18: New England Sheep and Wool Growers Youth Show and Sale

July 31: Hampden County 4-H Fair