Shasta District Fair updates

Photo by Michael Woodward

Secretary of California Department of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura addresses the audience at the livestock show at the Shasta District Fair on Thursday.

The Shasta District Fair was honored Thurday by the appearance of California Secretary of Department of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura, who spoke briefly to an audience prior to the Jr. Swine Show during a tour of the fair led by Chris Workman, the fair's chief executive officer.

Kawamura said he tries to visit each of the state's district fairs at least once. It was his first appearance at the Shasta District Fair.

Kawamura thanked the audience for supporting the livestock shows, and urged everyone to bid generously on the animals shown by youths.

In spite of the economic recession, Kawamura said the statewide market for buying animals at district fairs have not declined.

"It's as strong as can be," Kawamura said, adding that people recognize that their purchase goes to a good cause and additionally provides a year's worth of meat with one purchase.

Kawamura also said that interest in youth agricultural programs continues to be strong. Especially in urban areas, he cited a "resurgence of interest in where food comes from."

Kawamura noted that unless the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were combined, the FFA is still the largest youth organization.

Appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to office in 2003, Kawamura is a third-generation strawberry and green bean producer from Orange County. He formerly served as a member of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and as president of the Orange County Farm Bureau.

The Shasta District Fair opened Wednesday, June 16, and closes Sunday evening, June 20. Check back for more photos from the fair. Tickets to the fair are available at www.shastadistrictfair.com.