8 | 2021 Umatilla County Fair & Farm City Pro Rodeo | East Oregonian & Hermiston Herald
Full slate
of youth showcases return
By ANTONIO SIERRA
EO Media Group
FFA and 4H were some of the only
organizations that were able to pre-
serve their events for the 2020 Uma-
tilla County Fair, but it was still a radi-
cal change from its traditional character.
With Umatilla County battling a
surge in the COVID-19 pandemic, the
fair was forced to cancel most of its
events and activities and move FFA and
4H activities online. Although students
could still auction off their livestock, it
was adults who had to showcase them
for potential bidders.
Anna Browne and Mike Sanders,
who coordinate 4H and FFA activities,
respectively, both said it was a disap-
pointment for children who worked
hard to prepare for the fair only to see
it changed for a less-than-ideal format.
But things are looking up for the two
organizations in 2021, as many of the
COVID-19 have lifted for the fair.
“Everything is back,” Browne said.
That means a full slate of cooking,
sewing, livestock shows and more are
on tap for 2021. Browne said the fair los-
ing a day this year and what she expects
to be a large fi eld of participants means
4H will probably begin its activities
ahead of the offi cial start of the fair.
Browne said in many communities,
4H chapters lost members as meetings
and activities were moved to online. But
Eastern Oregon 4H chapters were resil-
ient and didn’t see membership drop off .
Browne also said she expects a big
year for the 4H and FFA livestock auc-
tion. Despite its
unusual format,
Browne said the
organizations saw
a record year for live-
stock sales last year as the
community turned out to support
them. This year, she’s hoping the fair’s
return to its original format also will
inspire the community to support stu-
dents and their ventures in agriculture.
Sanders said FFA students still were
proud of what they accomplished in
In the 2020 Modifi ed
Youth Livestock show
(from left to right): Carter
Keys, 11, wrangles his tur-
key; Emmy Simmons leads her
lamb; Nicholas Robbins, 10, leads
his steer. Ben Lonergan/EO Media Group, File
2020, but there will be an extra layer of
pride this year because they can show
their livestock themselves.
“This year,” he said, “they get to
show what they’ve done.”
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