Fairgrounds committee to rebuild sheep barn

Afton Bugg/Daily Mail The sheep barn is the next facility at the Vernon County fairgrounds slated for a comprehensive remodel. The fairgrounds committee is preparing to make it a more open structure, so that it will be more comfortable for the animals.

By Afton Bugg

Nevada Daily Mail

The fairgrounds committee is tearing down the old sheep barn, at the Vernon County fairgrounds in Centennial Park, and building a new one to open up the space and make it cooler for the animals.

The committee spearheaded efforts that succeeded in remodeling the hog barn two years ago and the beef barn last year.

The goal is to get all of the barns to look nice in order to attract more people to shows.

The sheep and hog shows are in May and the beef shows are in April, and are fund-raisers for the 11-year-old FFA Booster Club, which is an organization that helps the local FFA chapter. The proceeds go to help Nevada FFA on trips and educational scholarships. The club also helps FFA members and state farmers attend their national conventions by contributing to cost of meals, hotels and other expenses on the trip.

There was a lot of community support on the beef barn, from 4-H and FFA students and from the community, business and individuals, all of whom contributed time, money or materials to the efforts, and help will be needed again to accomplish the rebuilding of the sheep barn.

Tim Haner, committee member, said, "The cost of the rebuild will be about $16,000, and we are hoping to get $3,000 from organized grants and the rest will come from the auction, raffles, and donations from the community."

Fund raising efforts have already begun.

For example, there will be an auction to raise money for this remodel on Feb. 18, with the time to be released at a later date, in the sale bill. The fairgrounds committee plans to donate an 835 Mossy Oak shotgun for a drawing in conjunction with the auction. Ron Schulze is donating his time to auction off the donated items. Auction organizers noted that donations of items for this event can be used as a charitable tax write-off. The proceeds from items auctioned will be used to help rebuild the sheep barn.

Nevada Veterinary Clinic has also agreed to donate a pair of livestock clippers to be given away in a drawing in May.

Haner hopes to get the rebuilding under way at the first of the year and have it finished in time for the fair, in the middle of July.

With the improvements, Haner said, "I think we can utilize the barn more. People can use it for fleamarkets and auctions in the off season and the prospect shows will attract and increase more people in coming so we can have a good-sized show."

For more information or to donate goods, services or funds, please call Tim Haner at (417) 667-7837.