Parson Extols Exhibitors At State Fair

Missouri FFA president Justin Eddy of Columbia visits with Governor Mike Parson during the governor’s visit to the Missouri State Fair on August 13th, 2020. Amid concerns about the spread of Covid-19, the 2020 Fair pivoted to a Youth Livestock Show focusing on contests for Missouri’s 4-H and FFA members. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

Governor Mike Parson returned to his element Thursday morning, visiting with 4-H and FFA exhibitors on the first official day of the 118th Missouri State Fair. Parson tells Regional Radio that entries in this year’s contests are up 12 percent from a year ago.

Parson says exhibitors and their families are thrilled to be able to show this year, even in the midst of the pandemic. While masks are available for visitors who want them, there have been few in use. Parson says the fair has an advantage to keeping people safe, by virtue of it being outdoors where people can keep physically distant.

Governor Parson also visited the refurbished Sheep Pavilion and the new director’s pavilion during his visit to the fairgrounds in Sedalia. The 118th Missouri State Fair continues through August 23rd.

Here are the exhibitor numbers released by the Governor’s office:.

Livestock Entries                 2019       2020
4-H/FFA Horse                    273          229
4-H/FFA Beef                    1,079       1,134
4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle           82            97
4-H/FFA Boer Goats          306           352
4-H/FFA Dairy Goats          88            119
4-H/FFA Poultry                414             531
4-H/FFA Sheep                  946          1,014
4-H/FFA Swine                1,625         1,891

TOTAL 4,813 5,367