WHEATLAND - The Platte County board of County Commissioners met on Feb. 21 in the county seat of Wheatland. Those present for the meeting were Steve Shockley, Commission Chairman; Ian Jolovich, Commissioner; Kayla Mantle, Commissioner; and Malcolm Ervin, County Clerk.

Chairman Shockley called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Agendas, minutes and vouchers were received and approved.

The Board reviewed the daily receipts of Treasurer Kristi Rietz from Feb. 1 through Feb. 14, 2023, which totaled $811,663.38.

The Board reviewed, and approved, a bond in the amount of $2,000.00 for Bill Klein as treasurer of the Platte County Predatory Animal Board. Danette Eppel, County Assessor, presented a tax cancellation. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the tax cancellation for tax year 2022 in the sum of $237.50 for Alan Weiser. The motion carried.

Tracy de Ryk, Executive Director, provided updates to the Board. de Ryk explained that she has received multiple business inquiries.

Chairman Shockley called a public hearing to order at 9:30 a.m. for the purpose of accepting public comment on liquor license applications. Clerk Ervin presented six retail liquor license applications and four county malt beverage applications, all of which were renewals. Chairman Shockley opened the meeting to public comment, but none was received. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the retail liquor licenses and county malt beverage permits as presented. The motion carried.

Doug Dumont, County Planner, presented a building certificate from RM&R Construction, on behalf of Richard & Charlyn Lewis, for approval. The Board examined, and approved, the building certificate.

Jim DeWitt, maintenance supervisor, provided the Board with updates from his department. Mr. DeWitt explained that the Kawasaki Mule that broke down will cost approximately $5,000 to repair. The Board is not interested in repairing the mule and directed Mr. DeWitt to request the equipment when he submits his budget request for Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024. Mr. DeWitt also requested that the Board authorize the Public Health project to secure the lobby area, which is expected to cost approximately $5,200. The Board authorized Mr. DeWitt to proceed with the project. Mr. DeWitt also provided updates regarding the detention center and Agriplex. Most notably, the sound boards were installed in the Agriplex patio area and have improved acoustics in that space.

Stacy Buchholz, 4-H/Youth Development Extension Educator, requested that the Board review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between U.W. Extension and the Fair Board for the purpose of providing an annual check-in. Buchholz wanted all of the entities involved to review the MOU and determine whether any changes were necessary. Buchholz is requesting that the MOU provide clarity for what U.W. Extension is responsible for with the open class division of Fair and that pen assignments are a shared responsibility. Stacy Buchholz presented the following Memorandum of Understanding (Annual Operating Agreement) Between The Platte County Fair Board and Platte County Office, University of Wyoming Extension Regarding Roles and Responsibilities Pertaining to Platte County Fair

Background

Fairs, Fair Boards:

Wyoming State Statue 18-9-101 provides for counties the opportunity to create fairgrounds, etc., and appoint boards whose responsibility it is "to control, maintain and manage the fairgrounds.. and pleasure grounds and to conduct agricultural, industrial and other fairs and exhibitions." Although there is nothing legally describing a fair's purpose or function, it is evident Wyoming citizens value fairs at both the county and state levels. History demonstrates that county fairs provide an opportunity for residents to compete in various areas, and display and share their, products, information, etc., with their neighbors, friends, and other residents of their respective counties. County fairs continue to have significant value to the residents of their communities.

County fair boards have had long, positive relationships with the University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) over the years. UWE values the fairs and continues to encourage youths to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities at county fairs and the state fair. Such opportunities are not the focal point of the UWE 4-H program, but the educational learning process that is the focal point is easily demonstrated at the county fairs and state fair via exhibitions, competitions, displays, and activities.

Extension:

Federal law provided for the creation of the Extension system. The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant universities to educate citizens in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other practical professions. Extension was formalized in 1914 with the Smith-Lever Act, which established the partnership between the agricultural colleges and the USDA to provide for agricultural extension work.

Extension is a partnership of federal, state, and local governments. The federal partner is the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA- as of 2008). NIFA is a network of thousands of scientists, educators, and extension staff and volunteers who carry out its programs throughout the United States, and its territories, and beyond. Most of these partners work at or through land-grant universities- the state partner. There is one, or more, such institutions in each state or territory, and in the District of Columbia. In Wyoming, it is the University of Wyoming. The UWE employs extension educators in each of Wyoming's counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. Wyoming's counties are the third-the local- party in the partnership. Note: As of 1 Jan 2012 the UW CES (Cooperative Extension Service) changed its name to UW Extension (UWE); however, within USDA it is still known as the CES.

The 4-H Youth Program

4-H is Extension's youth development program. 4-H is an informal, practical, learning­by-doing educational program for youth. The purpose of 4-H is to help young people acquire knowledge, develop skills, and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive members of society. With today's youth and their developmental needs to become productive adults, the county fair remains an opportunity to reinforce the developmental and life skills that 4-H members garner throughout the year.

The relationships, expectations, and roles of both county fair boards and UWE personnel need to continually be communicated and clarified to maintain the rich history and provide Wyoming's communities with fairs that provide sharing, and comradery, and exhibit the best they have to offer.

4-H's Organization

National leadership for 4-H is under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. State headquarters are in the land-grant University of each State. Wyoming's land-grant university is the University of Wyoming.

Each state has a team of 4-H educators, specialists, and support staff as part of their university's extension service. Work in counties is directed by county extension educators. Volunteer leaders provide direct leadership and education support to youth in local communities.

Adult volunteer leaders are the mainstay of the 4-H program. Although most volunteers lead clubs, there are other leadership roles in Wyoming 4-H. Some leaders serve as "key leaders" in the county and help others lead, or they offer support to members on a countywide basis.

Extension staffs provide training and support for volunteers and are responsible for programming. Volunteers are the key to program delivery as they transmit information and share their skills directly with youth.

The events fair boards host are one way 4-H members can publicly exhibit their 4-H work, and county fairs have become the primary avenue most members choose. Fairs host many activities, exhibitions, and contests in which 4-H members may participate, and 4-H encourages members to exhibit at their fair.

4-H Structure and Governance

Advisory groups (i.e., 4-H county council, county leaders' council, etc.) serve in an advisory capacity to a county extension office. These groups support county 4-H program efforts. Extension personnel appreciate the efforts of advisory groups and strive to incorporate their advice concerning 4-H county programs; however, because the 4-H name and emblem (the four leaf clover) are controlled by the USDA and Extension as stated in a 1948 federal law (Public Law 772-80th Congress), decision making concerning county 4-H programs is the responsibility of the county extension office. Thus, no fund-raising or evaluation effort, program planning or implementation, expenditure of funds raised, advertising or publication design using the 4-H name and/or emblem may be conducted without the approval of the county extension office in compliance with USDA guidelines.

4-H advisory councils, comprised of adult leaders and members participating in a county 4-H program, exist to serve the county 4-H program. The objectives of an advisory council are to:

Strengthen, develop, coordinate, and extend youths in 4-H through Extension.

Unify and strengthen the 4-H club program in the county and promote 4-H ideals and principals.

Help generate interest in and public support of 4-H.

Provide additional guidance and leadership for the county 4-H program events and activities during the year.

Advise and support the overall program for the county.

Explore funding opportunities to provide rich programming for county youth.

Several committees within a county 4-H council serve important purposes in advancing the objectives of the council. Their formal structure is varied, but their membership conforms to the premise that membership consists of all leaders and members of a project area or grouping of projects. Extension offices welcome input and recognize the importance of these committees developing and leading project areas.

Memorandum of Understanding

UW Extension will:

Provide numbers of 4-H youth enrolled in project areas and estimates of potential number of animals in a timely manner to plan for stalling, bedding, access to facilities, show scheduling, etc.

Be responsible for establishing any rules and regulations for the 4-H program. UW Extension employees are responsible for determining status of 4-H members, their projects or exhibits for participation in the county fair and state fair.

Provide permission to use 4-H Name and Emblem on printed or audio materials pursuant to federal regulations and local UWE programming efforts in the best interest of the UWE 4-H program.

Work in cooperation with the Fair Board to train volunteers, write job descriptions, etc.

Work in cooperation with the Fair Board to conduct all necessary activities concerning the 4-H program at the county fair.

Work in cooperation with the Fair Board to conduct evaluations of a past fair or any of its components.

At request of Fair Board and when available, attend and engage in meetings of the fair board with agenda items related to UWE and the 4-H program.

Work in conjunction with the Fair Board to provide support concerning facilities in order to facilitate a continued partnership for use.

Work with Fair staff to take all youth entries. The Extension Office will provide support to the community at large concerning fair entries and answering questions as able, helping to ensure the Platte County Community can get entered and participate in the county fair.

The Extension Office will work with Fair staff to ensure all youth judges have the materials needed to evaluate youth entries, including printing judging sheets, copying score sheets, including FAQ sheets concerning Youth Development principles, etc.

The Extension Office will work with Fair staff to keep the data management system, FairEntry updated and correct concerning awards, classes, etc.

The Extension Educator will work with Fair staff to help facilitate all changes with superintendents and ensure these are submitted to be included in the fair premium book.

Provide educational programming regarding quality assurance, youth development principles, or other relevant issues for fair volunteers, staff, Farm School tenants, etc. at the request of the Fair Board.

Fair Board/Staff will:

Recognize that competitions, shows, etc. that are primarily for 4-H youth need to support the mission of the 4-H program. Suggestions and input regarding best practices for youth related events, shows, and competitions from 4-H youth development professionals should be strongly considered in planning, implementing, and recognition of youth events, shows, and competitions.

Set the dates of the fair and determine the schedule of events in consultation with other interested parties (i.e. livestock Committees, etc.).

Request permission for use of either of both 4-H name (4-H) or emblem (clover) from UW Extension for any printed or audio materials and abide by usage parameters indicated by UW Extension. Such permissions will be granted prior to utilization. The 4-H name and emblem are federally protected and have legal usage implications under the direction of the UW Extension employees.

Provide equipment, facilities, displays, tables, chairs, and entertainment.

Establish participation eligibility rules into the county fair.

Appoint exhibit superintendents and show committee members who shall serve as subcommittees/volunteers of the Fair Board.

Secure, train, pay, and supervise judges, superintendents, clerks, announcers, stewards, and other personnel needed for the fair as determined by the fair board.

Hire, communicate with, and ensure judges are secured for fair competitions.

Prepare and distribute copies of the fair book.

Provide payment for premiums (if offered) for exhibits and competitions held in conjunction with the fair.

Provide payment for printing costs of correspondence to judges, superintendents, marketing and publicity of fair as well as costs associate with the livestock shows, exhibit tags, stall cards, etc., as determined by the fair board and in consideration with interested parties.

Solicit donors for all fair awards and determine, in coordination with UWE Educator, assessing which areas need awards, etc. The Fair Board will collect all donations, ensuring donors receive tax-deductible benefits, etc. (Ensure receipts, and donor letters sent for IRS requirements)

The Fair Board will order the trophies, ribbons, plaques, etc.

Facilities Use:

Through a rich history of collaboration between UW Extension and the Platte County 4-H Program, facilities use has become a priority for 4-H and Extension programming at the fairgrounds. To this end, all entities will adhere to the following:

4-H clubs, programs, and UW Extension Educators will be able to reserve meeting/arena space for program efforts at no charge throughout the year as long as the space is available at the time requested. It is not expected that UWE programs nullify any pre-existing rentals.

The Fair Board will allow facility use, at no charge, for UWE events, meetings, activities, etc. when reservations are made, upholding those reservations even if private parties request the facility at the reserved time with the possibility of generating revenue.

UWE Educators, 4-H leaders, or other UWE volunteers will inform Fair staff in a timely fashion about program cancellations in order to free up meeting spaces for other rentals.

UWE Educators, 4-H leaders, or other UWE volunteers will ensure facilities are cleaned up, trash put in dumpsters, etc. after each rental of the facility.

There being no further business for board consideration, the meeting adjourned at approximately 11 a.m.