After the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Oregon saw its pig pens dismantled and removed over the weekend, just two weeks before the fair’s start, 4-H members and parents were relieved to see them returned Tuesday morning.
The pens were escorted back by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department after being taken by the Josephine County 4-H Association.
“Volunteers and children with local agricultural programs were on hand at the Josephine County Fairgrounds to unload and set up the pens this morning,” a news release from Josephine County said. “Swine pens were removed from the Josephine County Fairgrounds July 21 by members of the public unaffiliated with Josephine County government or the OSU Extension. OSU stated at the time the action was not part of the Extension’s planned closeout of local operations. Since then, Josephine County commissioners and Fairground staff worked closely with the OSU Extension to secure the return of the pens ahead of the Josephine County Fair, which begins Aug. 7.”
NewsWatch 12 had originally reported the removal of the pens, and stated that members of the 4-H association were responsible. Because the group had paperwork and receipts showing that they owned them, the sheriff’s office would not respond to the original call.
However, people then noted that the pens were purchased with funds from the community and donated to the fairgrounds.
In response to the controversy, the Oregon State University Extension of Josephine County released a statement:
“We have received questions about swine pens being removed from the Josephine County fairgrounds by 4-H volunteers. This is not part of OSU Extension’s planned closeout of local operations due to loss of county funding, and not occurring as part of directed 4-H volunteer service.
“We have been in communication with our partners from the fairgrounds and fair board, and reached out to Josephine County 4-H Association leadership, to understand the situation. We have confirmed that pens were purchased with funds from the Josephine County 4-H Association (a separate organization), and we have encouraged that pens remain in place through the Josephine County Fair in early August.
“OSU Extension’s commitment remains to work with our county partners to support a positive experience for all youth at the Josephine County Fair.
“We are also committed to closing out local operations as smoothly as possible. This includes providing information that may assist our county partners — including the 4-H association and Josephine County fairgrounds — in clarifying questions about items used to support youth livestock activities at the fairgrounds.”
“Despite the removal of the pens, the Josephine County Fair is expected to run as normal, with help from Jackson County providing pens for the swine at the fair.”
According to Jefferson Public Radio, county commissioners voted 2-1 late last month to stop funding the Oregon State University-run Extension Service.
During the meeting, Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West criticized OSU for lacking transparency regarding the nearly half a million dollars in tax revenue it receives from the county. Baertschiger expressed a desire to redirect these funds toward livestock education instead of the current range of programs and administrative costs. He acknowledged the value of 4-H but suggested it might be time to consider restructuring the program and reassessing its utilization in Oregon.
JPR reported that the Extension Service’s Interim Director, Kris Elliott, disputed the commissioners’ claims, stating that the Extension Service has been working with the commissioners for the past year.
Previously, commissioners had reduced funding for the district in last year’s budget cycle. This decision, in addition to halting tax revenue for the upcoming year, will also prevent the university from using its remaining funds to maintain operations, Elliott explained. “It was certainly a shock and very surprising,” he added. “The funds would have sustained us for another year and given voters a chance to voice their opinions.”
Extension programs at the county level, managed through Oregon State University, are supported by a combination of federal, state, and county funds. These funds typically promote 4-H and youth development opportunities, continue volunteer programs such as Master Gardeners and Food Preservers, and develop other educational programs focused on community needs.
Josephine County has four staff members at the county office: Chandra Disraeli, the SNAP-Ed Education program assistant; Anne Gross, family and consumer health education program assistant; Courtney Olcott, assistant professor of practice family and consumer health; and Lisa Parlette, the 4-H outreach program coordinator. Jamie Davis, the regional director, and Christopher Adlam, the regional fire specialist, also serve the county.
