SCHOHARIE COUNTY SUNSHINE FAIR EXHIBITOR GUIDEBOOK AUGUST 6-11, 2024
Welcome to the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair Exhibitor Guidebook! Below is a list of all the competitions available this year and your opportunity for a blue ribbon. Clicking on the "blue" text in the golden boxes below will bring up a pdf file with information about the rules, classes and making entries. Be sure you read not only the department requirements carefully, but also the general rules and regulations. If you have any specific questions in a Department, please contact the Superintendent in charge; for general questions contact the Entry office. We look forward to your exhibit at the fair and appreciate your wanting to be part of the experience!
PLEASE NOTE: THE PREMIUM BOOK FOR 2024 HAS MANY CHANGES. PLEASE WATCH DEPARTMENT, SECTION AND CLASS NUMBERS
UPDATED HEALTH INFORMATION: CONTACT: Jola Szubielski | [email protected] | 518-457-0752 Julia Mason | [email protected] | 518-457-0752 For Immediate Release: June 18, 2024 STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR LACTATING DAIRY CATTLE ENTERING FAIRS OR EXHIBITIONS TO PREVENT HPAI TRANSMISSION New Order Requires Lactating Dairy Cattle to Be Tested and Show Negative Results for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Within Seven Days Prior to Showing, Costs to be Covered by USDA APHIS No Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Have Been Detected in New York Livestock to Date State and Federal Import Orders Remains in Place; Farmers are Encouraged to Monitor Animal Health and Practice Good Biosecurity The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets today announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle entering fairs or exhibitions to continue to prevent the transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle in New York State. The order issued by the Department requires that lactating dairy cattle be tested and show negative results for HPAI within seven days prior to entering a fair, including the Great New York State Fair, county fairs, or other exhibitions. The test must be conducted by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “With the kick-off of summer fair season just a few weeks away, we want to remain vigilant about the concerns of HPAI in dairy cattle we are seeing across the country and ensure we are doing all we can to keep our livestock safe and healthy here in New York. By requiring this testing protocol, which will be covered, we hope to minimize the risk of the spread of HPAI while providing the opportunity for the summer traditions of entering and showing of dairy cattle at fairs and exhibitions to continue.” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The Department of Health supports this latest biosurveillance protocol as we enter the summer fair season in an effort to prevent the spread avian influenza in dairy cattle in New York State. As a reminder, there are still no known cases of avian influenza in livestock or in humans in New York State, and we will continue to work with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to monitor the situation and prepare for any potential risks to public health and safety.” The Department encourages industry members to follow these steps in addition to the state’s order to help ensure the health and safety of animals at county fairs across New York, in addition to The Great New York State Fair. Animal health requirements for 2024 county fairs and The New York State Fair are outlined in three documents, listed below. These documents currently apply to animals, including poultry, at fairs in 2024. Animal Fair Health Requirements 2024 Fair Animal Health Requirements: https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/fair-health-requirements Fair Interstate Health Requirements: https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/interstate-health-requirements-fair-animals Exhibitor Pre-Fair Guidelines: https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/exhibitor-prefair-guidelines