The truck and trailer with the pigpens were returned to the Josephine County Fairgrounds Tuesday morning at 8:07 a.m. About a hundred parents and kids unloaded the pigpens which will now be available for the kids (and the pigs) at the county fair in August.
Kristopher Elliott, Interim Director of OSU Extension, told the Eagle, “I got a call Sunday morning that the pigpens were being removed.” Josephine County Commissioner John West credited Kris for intervening with the Josephine County 4-H Association which had hired the trucking company to remove the pigpens on Sunday.
Josephine County released the following statement today:
Swine pens returned to Josephine County Fairgrounds ahead of fair
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — Swine pens that had been removed from the Josephine County Fairgrounds July 21 have now been returned to their original location following the intervention of Josephine County leaders and OSU Extension staff.
Volunteers and children with local agricultural programs were on hand at the Josephine County Fairgrounds to unload and set up the pens this morning.
Swine pens were removed from the Josephine County Fairgrounds July 21 by members of the public unaffiliated with Josephine County government or the OSU Extension. OSU stated at the time the action was not part of the Extension’s planned closeout of local operations.
Since then, Josephine County commissioners and Fairground staff worked closely with the OSU Extension to secure the return of the pens ahead of the Josephine County Fair, which begins Aug. 7.
“The fair is about the kids, and our livestock community is the heart of our fair,” said Tamra Martin, Josephine County recreation director. “We have been working tirelessly for the last 48 hours to make sure the kids were taking care of, and we’re thrilled that we were able to get the pens back and ensure a successful fair for everyone.”
Josephine County Commissioner candidate Chris Barnett posted drone photos and videos on his Facebook page along with his comments on today’s events.
“The Josephine County Sheriffs department escorted a Semi truck today to return the Pig/hog Pens that were removed over the weekend by the Josephine County 4H Association have been returned to the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Kris Elliott from the OSU Extension Office in Corvallis drove down this morning to make sure this went smoothly. A lot of pressure from this great community got these Livestock Pens returned to the Josephine County Fairgrounds!!!!!! The Youth and AG kids will be able to now participate in the Fair this year!!!! This is great news!!!!”
State Representative Dwayne Yunker commented on today’s return of the fairgrounds equipment today.
“I was relieved to see the pigpens and other equipment returned to the fairgrounds this morning. The fact that it took overwhelming pressure and the fact that the 4-H Association removed the equipment in the first place proves the County Commissioners’ point that Josephine County should not be funding an organization that so obviously doesn’t care about kids.”
“4-H has replaced teaching kids how to raise animals and grow food with identity politics and activism. The root cause of the problem is the DEI policies and programs at Oregon State University and their Extension Services.”
“Money is the only language these people speak. They need to get the message.
“They will need to reform or they will be defunded. That’s just where we are right now. Now’s the time to get involved if we don’t want the state indoctrinating our kids and discriminating against them.”
I wrote a column contrasting Sunday School and Monday School when it comes to teaching kids about animal husbandry. It could have been titled, “Can baby cows suffer gender dysphoria?”
https://oregoneagle.com/more-excellent-way-monday-school-or-sunday-school/
It’s great that this situation was resolved with public pressure, elected officials speaking out and a big dose of common sense.