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.

Positions Available:

Full-time position - Agriculture Assistant

The Agriculture & Education department is seeking a Department Assistant

Job Description: (Full-time, Year-round)
Agriculture & Education Department Assistant is a year-round, full-time position with extended hours and weekend work on a seasonal basis. This individual is expected to be a team player and support all requests and processes of the department. The Department Assistant compiles and organizes all informational data as defined by the Director of Agriculture and Education and should be proficient in bookkeeping. The Department Assistant is a "front-line" position and, as such, is expected to present a pleasant, professional image of the department and the company.

Qualifications:
1. Calm, respectful demeanor when working with all staff, patrons and clientele groups
2. Team approach to all work functions including department outreach.
3. Computer competence in Quick Books, Microsoft Money, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and the Windows environment
4. Bookkeeping and organizational skills
5. Critical problem solving skills
6. Standard office skills

Responsibilities:

Chief office greeter and phone coordinator
Coordinate electronic and hard copy communications
Assist in the production of documents, packets and books
Keep records on all financial processes including time cards for year-round and fairtime staff
Organize and maintain all informational data for the department
Coordinate data on schedules and relevant information for guests and VIPs.
Work with hotels and restaurants to coordinate department usage
Initiate and organize all department contract information
Handle all department fairtime ticketing and accounting thereof
Responsible for maintaining department supplies
Overall support in any and all functions of the department
Work on an as needed basis in the time period leading up to and through events.
Other duties as assigned

Interested parties should send resume to dwoolam@TheBigE.com.

Fair Position - Fiber Nook Superintendent

The Fiber Nook Superintendent is responsible for the activities of the Fiber Nook, including but not limited to, the Sheep Fleece Show, Fiber Products Competition, Wool Spinning Bee and Camelid activities in the Nook. The Fiber Nook Superintendent reports to the Director of Agriculture and Education.

Description:
1. Works with Director of Agriculture and Education and staff to facilitate a positive experience for exhibitors.
2. Represents the Exposition in a positive manner to exhibitors and fairgoers at all times.
3. Conveys exhibitor issues to the Director of Agriculture and Education.
4. Works with Agriculture and Education Coordinator concerning ribbons, awards and premium disbursement.
5. Works with the Director of Agriculture and Education to insure that exhibitors are representing the industry in a positive manner to the public.
6. Coordinates the set-up and display of the exhibit.
7. Works with the Director of Ag and Ed to select and order the merchandise for the resale aspect of the exhibit.
8. Coordinates all volunteer activities of the Fiber Nook, including the camelid division.
9. Coordinates the fleece show selecting judges; logging in entries; assisting in judging; and setting up display for the fairgoing public.

Interested parties should send resume to dwoolam@TheBigE.com.

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

Feb. 20 9am-3:30pm: Blue Ribbon Sheep Forum, sponsored by The Connecticut Sheep Breeders Assoc. and the University of Connecticut at the College of Agr. and Natural Resources, info on web at www.ctsheep.com

Feb. 20, 8:30-3:30pm: CT 4-H Sheep Project Clinic, Ratcliffe Hicks Arena, University of Conn, Rte. 195, Storrs. No registration necessary. For more information, contact randall.knight@uconn.edu or pamela.gray@uconn.edu 860.885.2824

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

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 6: The Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition

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