The Western Montana Fair in full swing in Missoula this week. The first year I went to this fair I was stunned at how small it seemed. I was also surprised to see that the composition was different from the fairs of my youth in Wyoming. There was much less agriculture represented. I began to wonder: if the fair doesn't represent agriculture and farm products what is its purpose?
In thinking about the fair, I am reminded of the economic role that fairs once played for my European ancestors. Fairs and gatherings like them, were opportunities to socialize and network, buy and sell wares mostly manufactured at home, to breed and improve livestock and crop varieties and to demonstrate the latest technologies in home production. Essentially a moving hub of commerce in an age without department stores or UPS; the pre-technology version of the internet. Each person's booth or display of livestock or cottage-crafted goods and food items is a small web-site to be visited and explored by the community at large.
More recently, fairs served a similar purpose for education, social event and market. I grew up in Riverton, Wyoming in the 1980's and the Fremont County and Wyoming State Fairs were huge. At the time, Fremont County had a total population of about 35,000 but was deeply agricultural mostly beef cattle, sheep, swine and hay production. The County Fair was the central event of the summer with hundreds of entries from 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and general competitors on display. 4-H and FFA were and still are excellent opportunities for kids to develop skills that can lead to career choices, long-term hobbies or just a chance to explore interests. Much of the latest farm technology was on display and our western heritage was celebrated with steam engines and rodeo events much the same as the Western Montana Fair. For rural kids without a lot of resources top prizes in some events included all-expense paid week long trips to the Wyoming State Fair and the Denver Stock Show. Having your bull win big at one of these events was a great marketing tool for a beef grower.
More recently, fairs served a similar purpose for education, social event and market. I grew up in Riverton, Wyoming in the 1980's and the Fremont County and Wyoming State Fairs were huge. At the time, Fremont County had a total population of about 35,000 but was deeply agricultural mostly beef cattle, sheep, swine and hay production. The County Fair was the central event of the summer with hundreds of entries from 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and general competitors on display. 4-H and FFA were and still are excellent opportunities for kids to develop skills that can lead to career choices, long-term hobbies or just a chance to explore interests. Much of the latest farm technology was on display and our western heritage was celebrated with steam engines and rodeo events much the same as the Western Montana Fair. For rural kids without a lot of resources top prizes in some events included all-expense paid week long trips to the Wyoming State Fair and the Denver Stock Show. Having your bull win big at one of these events was a great marketing tool for a beef grower.
I was very excited to see that the Western Montana Fair has begun to pull in resources from our sizable organic and local market-farms, value-added food products and the restaurants that embrace them. Tuesday's West Lawn Market held presentations on sustainable farming and being a localvore, year-round gardening and composting. The Cast Iron Chef competition was fun for watchers and cookers. Our local re-building organization, Home Resource sponsored a cubical to teach about the reuse leg of reduce-reuse-recycle.
I think the western Montana fair is beginning to remake itself in a new role as a celebration of western Montana's traditional economic base, our growing diversity and our commitment to sustainability and local production of goods, food and services. Missoula has a vibrant 4H community with project choices that reflect our area and the interests of local youth. Projects can be drawn from any area of interest a youth or an adult leader may have including photography, bicycle and forestry.
Missoula has a beautiful fair grounds. I hope that this event can adapt to the growing Green, Local and Sustainable movements in our economy in a way that embraces the future and celebrates the past.
I think the western Montana fair is beginning to remake itself in a new role as a celebration of western Montana's traditional economic base, our growing diversity and our commitment to sustainability and local production of goods, food and services. Missoula has a vibrant 4H community with project choices that reflect our area and the interests of local youth. Projects can be drawn from any area of interest a youth or an adult leader may have including photography, bicycle and forestry.
Missoula has a beautiful fair grounds. I hope that this event can adapt to the growing Green, Local and Sustainable movements in our economy in a way that embraces the future and celebrates the past.
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