The 2008 North Florida Fair has come and gone. If you missed it, take comfort in the knowledge that there is still a generous supply of cotton candy, funnel cakes and smoked turkey legs, and ample whirling rides to make you regret consumption of the culinary indulgences. In addition to the rides, sideshows, and games ($2 per chance at a 50 cent toy), there were agriculture exhibits. Sideshow freaks aside, the ag exhibits were probably the most alien experience to the typical 2008 fair goer. Time was that a majority of the area residents were involved in some phase of agriculture. City dwellers were in a minority and suburbia was an abstract concept In the thoughts of some futurist. In those nostalgic days, county and state fairs were an agriculture show place, not just an annual entertainment venue. Farmers and ranchers competed to have the biggest (you name it) or the greatest yield of (again, you name it). Everyone had a personal connection with their food. Attendees could examine fatted livestock breeds of every description now seen only in photos. Farm families participated in the fair, too. Jellies, jams, baked goods, quilts and anything else fashioned on the farm was displayed as an example the farm’s standard of quality. Even the farm children had age related competitions for their projects. Combed and curried calves and piglets were paraded by the youngsters without any thought of the eventual destiny of their charges. Blue ribbons were an immediate family heirloom. The awarding became the tangible source of family pride and bragging rights for decades. People knew how their food was produced and, for the city’s residents, the farmers who produced it. Fast forward to the present when less than two percent of the total population is involved in farming. Houses and other suburban structures flourish where family farms once existed. When residents think of food, it’s the local market that comes to mind, not a farmer or rancher. In this environment, the North Florida Fair provides an easily accessible window to view a sampling of local agriculture. For some, it’s a little surprising to see where that last meal originated. The livestock shows are some of the most entertaining events held during the fair. Pure bred stock breeders and junior 4-H’ers FFA’ers with livestock projects all get a chance to exhibit their animals. The open livestock show has real cowboys along with their stock. Stock handling was once the bastion of denim clad, leather faced hombres with saucer sized belt buckles. Not so anymore. Rhinestones and mascara were just as common among the exhibitors as Kopenhagen cans stashed in watch pockets. Brute strength was replaced with finesse and feminine ingenuity when the lady exhibitors manipulated rambunctious animals. Clearly, the ladies were highly skilled at handling all sorts of animals. A steady stream of onlookers watched as the seemingly endless line of cattle breeds marched through the show-ring for judging. None of the onlookers stayed long, but each got an up-close look at how their last serving of prime rib originated. Local 4-Hers brought in an arc’s load of small farm animal for the junior livestock show. Squealing pigs, bleating sheep, curious goats and patients parents combined to create an improvised carnival. The area youngsters also put on display their junior farming skills with horticulture and other exhibits. To the casual onlooker those are just plants, but are the tangible evidence of care and pride to the young people who grew them. Yes, the 2008 North Florida Fair is gone, but people involved in agriculture locally are getting ready for 2009’s fair. Next year take a break from the midway and learn where some of your food starts.

Copyright ©2009 Les Harrison