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Hi everyone, Fair is officially over—and what a fantastic week it was! Congratulations to all of our winners in showmanship, the breed shows, and herdsmanship. You all gave it your best, and it showed. This year we had nearly 900 birds in over 700 pens and 156 exhibitors. That’s incredible. Our judges were very impressed with your knowledge and dedication, but what stood out even more was your polite behavior and professional appearance. In fact, they joked that they felt underdressed compared to you! Every one of them said they would happily come back again if invited. We also had a great year leading up to fair. Many of you attended shows and clinics above and beyond what was required, and it was truly great to see that level of commitment and enthusiasm. During the fair, I know the changes to barn duty this year weren’t always easy, but you handled them admirably. You stepped up to protect the animals from a surprisingly grabby public, and that did not go unnoticed. I’m really proud of all of you for how seriously you took that responsibility. I also want to give a sincere thank you to all of the parents and families. From getting exhibitors to meetings, shows, and clinics throughout the year, to helping at the fair and supporting barn duty shifts—you play a huge role in making this project possible. Your time, effort, and support do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do. A huge thank you to Amanda Osborne, my Superintendent, who worked incredibly hard to secure all of the sponsors that made your awards and prizes possible this year. We truly appreciate the time and effort that went into making this such a successful experience for all of you. Also attached is a list of the sponsors who helped make all of your awards possible. While you’re writing your thank-you notes to your buyers, please take a little extra time to send a thank-you to some of these sponsors as well. The more they feel appreciated and recognized, the more likely they are to continue supporting all of you in the future. Looking ahead, next year’s fair theme is Storybooks, and I can’t wait to see how creative everyone gets with it! I’m excited to see how all of you continue to grow next year—but remember, some projects start right away. Heritage birds need to be hatched between now and July, and you’ll need to register for laying pens before August. Finally, don’t forget to fill out the 2026 Fair Survey that was sent out. Your feedback helps make the project better every year. Thank you all again for an amazing fair. Get some rest—you’ve earned it!
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