1. Red River Valley Fair update - Laserfiche WebLink

at these other entities. Generally speaking, it would be difficult to host activities related to animals or livestock at any facility other than the Red River Valley Fair grounds because of the special accommodations needed through equipment or because of the size of facility needed to support it. From a livestock programming perspective, we are very fortunate to have the availability of the Red River Valley Fairgrounds for this purpose. Mission compatibility and the development of a long-term relationship between extension/4-H and fair/fair board has resulted in an integrated situation. Part of the reason why the Red River Valley Fairgrounds is so desirable for extension and 4-H activities is due to the long-term relationship that has evolved between the two entities. Extension and 4-H has a rich history and relationship with fairs across our country. Like other places, this relationship exists here partly because of the 'cross-over volunteers' between the Extension/4-H program and the Red River Valley Fair Association. These individuals often began their volunteer experience as a 4-H leader or project leader then responded to additional volunteer needs of the fair board/association when they sent out a call for support to do its work. Over a long period of time, amenities at the fairgrounds have been built and/or purchased to fulfill program needs that had been mutually valuable to both programs - extension/4-H and the fair. As an example, a considerable number of livestock panels have been purchased because of livestock shows held there. Volunteers, working within both programs, saw the need for them, and found the resources for them to be acquired for use not only for Extension/4-H programs but also other venues where livestock are present on the grounds. Likewise, the 4-H program has also invested in equipment and resources at the RRVF grounds to support 4-H but the fair also uses them for other purposes. For example, a large animal weigh scale was jointly purchased with funds secured by both organizations. It is the volunteers working with both programs, and where they saw mission compatibility and support between the two organizations, that should be credited with this wise use of resources and finding ways to get meet mutual goals/needs. Fairs have been around for a long time, and longer than Cooperative Extension, but Extension has been involved in fairs since its establishment in the early 1900's. One of the reasons for the close relationship is mission compatibility. Part of the reason fairs are held is for the purpose of showcasing new technologies, better and/or improved products, knowledge learned and that could be shared in a fair-like setting, etc. Our North Dakota Century Code specifically identifies agriculture, livestock, horticulture, and includes exhibits of the arts and sciences as a method of showcasing them. The areas mentioned above are very compatible with Cooperative Extension because it generally describes itself as doing work in the areas of agriculture, family living, community development and youth. These compatibility factors support the natural tendency for these two entities to work together. The North Dakota Century Code and what it provides to fair associations has had a long-term impact, at least from a historical perspective. The Red River Valley Fair Association's request for financial support from Cass County has a long history. This is in part legitimized through the North Dakota Century Code which defines a fair association's purpose and says that an appropriation can be